Saudi Arabia Lifts Ban On Travel With National ID Card For GCC Citizens

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the lifting of a two-year ban on travel with the national identity card and from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. This means all Dubai and GCC citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia can now be able to enter the kingdom by using only their national ID cards.

Last week, the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) in Saudi Arabia said that the document is now accepted for travel to and from Saudi Arabia for all GCC citizens.

GACA Circular

The GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation) of Saudi Arabia has also issued a circular to all the airlines operating in the airports of Saudi Arabia, including private aircraft and informed them about the lift of suspension;

1. lifting the suspension of the use of the national identity card as a valid document for the travel to and from the kingdom for Saudi citizens and of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens States, while making sure of the entry requirements for the country to which they want to travel.

Advertisement

2. The family registry card is not considered a travel document.

3. Failure to comply with circulars issued by GACA is a violation of government orders, and legal procedures will be applied to the violator and will be held responsible

It is worth mentioning that the National ID cards became invalid for travel in February 2020, when the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs implemented the order to coincide with the start of preventative steps in the kingdom to battle Covid-19.

During the pandemic, GCC individuals were required to have a passport in order to travel within the Gulf.