Middle East: Travel Restrictions due to Coronavirus

As a global mobility company, we are all about travel and expanding our horizons by experiencing new nations. However, as the world sees a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases, we would like you to be aware of the travel restrictions so that you can plan your business trips accordingly. Immigration related measures are being undertaken to contain Covid-19.

It’s not just the travel plans that seem to be getting affected along with global relations and regular business; the stock market appears to be taking a hit as well. The travel stocks are getting hammered. Shares of airlines and travel companies around the world plunged, telling us that we should take this virus all the more seriously. This is not just for our health benefits but for our businesses in the next few weeks as well.

For anyone planning to travel, the website of the World Health Organization is a good starting point.

Bahrain

Foreign nationals who have prior visits to China, Iraq or South Korea or Thailand in the past 14 days before travelling to Bahrain are banned from entering the country. The ban does not apply to Nationals of Bahrain and other GCC countries, foeign residents in Bahrain as well as military personnel.

Individuals who have visited Hong Kong SAR, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand in the past 14 days prior to Bahrain will not be eligible for visa-on- arrival. All these nationalities must obtain a visa prior to their departure from their home country.

Quarantine for nationals of Bahrain and other GCC countries as well as foreign residents in Bahrain who have visited or transited through China, Hong Kong SAR, Iran or Iraq in the 14 days prior to travel to Bahrain.

Nationals of Bahrain and other GCC countries who have visited or transited through China, Hong Kong SARm Iran or Iraq are kept under Quarantine. In the same case, nationals who have visited or transited through Egypt, Italy or South Korea are under self-quarantine.

Iraq

Entry is restricted for nationals of China and Iran. Foreign nationals who visited China, Hong Kong SAR, Iran, Italy, Japan, Macau SAR, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand in the past 14 days prior to travelling to Iraq are banned from entry. Nationals of Iraq and Foregin residents in Iraq who have travelled to China, Hong Kong SAR, Iran, italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand in the 14 days prior to travel to Iraq are under self-quarantine.

Oman

Nationals of China, Iran and Italy without valid residence permit are restricted to enter Oman. Foreign Nationals who have visited China, Iran, Italy or South Korea in the past 14 days prior to the travel to Oman are restricted. Nationals of GCC countries, including nationals of Oman carrying national identity card i.e travelling without passport are not allowed to enter the country.

Qatar

Individuals who have visited Egypt 14 days prior to 1st of March 2020 including individuals with a valid residence permit for Qatar are restricted to enter the country. GCC nationals including Qatar nationals travelling with their national identity card are restricted to enter the country without their passport for entry.

Foreign nationals who have visited to China, Iran, Japan, Singapore or South Korea in the 14 days prior to 1 March 2020 should be under self-quarantine

Saudi Arabia

Entry ban for Foreign nationals who have visited or travelled through China, Hong Kong SAR, Iran, Macau SAR or Taiwan SAR in the 14 days preceding travel to Saudi Arabia.

Entry ban for Foreign nationals with a visitor visa for the tourism industry travelling from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Somalia, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, Taiwan SAR, Uzbekistan, Vietnam or Yemen. Foreign nationals going with a visitor visa for Umrah; and (just announced by IATA) for holders of a visit visa for the travel industry making a trip to Medina (MED) are also restricted.

Restrictions:

Nationals and Foreign nationals of GCC countries can enter just on the off chance that they stayed in that GCC nation ceaselessly for at least 14 days before going to viable 7 March 2020 people going from any nation considered by the Saudi authorities as affected by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, and who have resided in those countries during the 14 days preceding entering into Saudi Arabia, must have a medical endorsement given by an authorized health centre, showing that they are free from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Entry of all Individuals travelling from Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates is permitted uniquely through the international airports in Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED) and Dammam (DMM).

United Arab Emirates

Entry and transit are banned for nationals of Iran. This doesn’t apply to valid residence permit holders of the United Arab Emirates, given that they get an ‘OK to board’ approval prior to departure. Entry is banned for nationals of GCC nations, including nationals of the United Arab Emirates, going with their national identity card. Quarantine for travellers who have tested positive against COVID-19 on arrival in UAE.

The golden rule for travel right now should be this: If you’re the one who is sick, stay home, do not travel, wear a mask, even for the flu.

Stay updated with us for more.