Saudi Arabia Imposes Fines and Travel Bans for Residents Visiting Restricted Nations 

Saudi Arabia has enacted new guidelines penalizing residents who journey to restricted locations, with fines reaching as much as SR30,000 and journey bans of as much as two years, following approval by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.  

The up to date measures, efficient as of March 31, 2026, are a part of the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to control journey to designated high-risk international locations amid regional tensions. Authorities mentioned the listing of restricted locations can be decided by the ministry after vital procedures are adopted. 

Under the brand new guidelines, repeat violations carry harsher penalties. Fines could also be doubled, and journey bans may be prolonged for as much as 5 years for many who repeatedly journey to prohibited international locations. 

The laws additionally tackle violations of journey documentation necessities. Providing false info when making use of for journey paperwork may end up in fines of as much as SR5,000 and attainable journey bans. 

More severe offenses, together with tampering with journey paperwork, misusing them, or enabling others to make use of them unlawfully, may result in fines of as much as SR100,000 and journey bans of as much as 5 years. Authorities mentioned such instances can be referred to the Public Prosecution. 

Officials indicated that restrictions might apply to particular international locations recognized as excessive threat, together with places affected by ongoing battle. Travel close to the Yemen border is topic to further warning; all journey is suggested in opposition to inside 30 km, and non-essential journey is discouraged inside 30–80 km resulting from navy exercise. 

The laws additionally word that exceptions might apply in sure instances, together with for people aged 60 and older or these with first-degree household ties to residents of restricted international locations, through which decreased penalties could also be thought-about. 

Separately, authorities mentioned expatriates and guests with expired visas might use the Absher platform to increase their stays or exit the nation with out fines till April 18, 2026.