Location: Saudi Arabia, countrywide
Event: We urge U.S. citizens to review the Department of State’s Travel Advisory for Americans regarding Saudi Arabia for additional security information and travel guidance.
Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance due to the increased threat of armed attacks by Iranian-supported Houthis and Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the region.
Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. These hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.
Effective October 23, 2026, the Department of State
Effective October 23, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks.
U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent missile and UAV attacks on airports in the country.
U.S. citizens should be aware of potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions. Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport.
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh announced a partial reopening as of October 23 for domestic flights and some international flights operated by national carriers. A limited number of flights normally based at RUH are operating out of Qassim-based Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ).
- King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (JED) and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (DMM) are operational with some delays and cancellations.
Private car, train, and bus options may provide
Private car, train, and bus options may provide alternatives to air travel to or from Saudi Arabia. Below are some transportation rechedules directly with the providers
- Saudi Arabia Railways: https://www.sar.com.sa/
- SAT Transportation: https://satrans.com.sa/
- SAPTCO: https://saptco.com.sa/en
All land border crossings, including the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, remain operational. All highways and roads in and around Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran remain operational.
International airports in neighboring countries of Bahrain (BAH), Jordan (AMM), Kuwait (KWI), Oman (MCT), Qatar (DOH), and the United Arab Emirates (AUH, DXB, SHJ) remain operational. Please confirm status directly with airports.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior continues to warn
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior continues to warn that “filming, publishing, or sharing information related to counter missiles and drones, and their impact sites, exposes you to legal liability.” U.S. citizens have been detained for not adhering to these regulations, including taking photos of government buildings, airports, and impact sites. Visitors and residents are subject to local laws while in Saudi Arabia.
American citizens are reminded to follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense
U.S. Government Employee Travel Restrictions:
Effective October 23, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia, are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks, and need special authorization for travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif.
- Emergency consular services are available for U.S. citizens.
- Review the State Department’s Travel Advisory for Americans regarding Saudi Arabia.
- Review the State Department’s Travel Advisory for Americans regarding Yemen.
- Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.
- Review the Overseas Security Advisory Council’s (OFAC) Country Security Report regarding Saudi Arabia.
- If an aerial attack occurs, stay away from glass doors, windows, and any fallen debris, and monitor your phone and news outlets for official guidance.
- Keep your cell phone charged and pre-programmed with emergency numbers, including those below for the embassy and consulates.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings.
- Avoid all areas where there is a heavy police presence.
- Monitor local media.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Contact your airline directly for flight change details if your flight is affected.
- Exercise caution and stay alert at locations publicly associated with the United States.
- Keep a low profile.
- Unified Emergency (police, firefighters, and others): 911
- Police: 999
- Ambulance: 997
- Highway Security: 996
For medical emergencies in Saudi Arabia, the Sulaiman
For medical emergencies in Saudi Arabia, the Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital system provides English-language medical care in all major cities. For Riyadh specifically, additional medical facilities include the Soliman Fakeeh Hospital and the Specialized Medical Center (SMC), which has two branches in the capital. For Jeddah specifically, additional medical facilities include the Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital and the International Medical Center Hospital.
Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street Roundabout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (11) 835-4000
Al Safa Street, Al Muhammadiyah District, near new American School building, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (12) 220-5000
U.S. Consulate General Dhahran
The Consulate is located off King Saud bin Abdulaziz Road on the corner of Salah Addin Al Ayoubi Road and Abu l’baba Al Aslami Street.
Telephone: (966) (13) 839-5700
U.S. Department of State’s 24/7 Consular Support
1-888-407-4747 (from U.S./Canada)
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