On March 3, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks.
Armed conflict
Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.
The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia due to the safety risks.
U.S. government employee travel restrictions near Yemen
- U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks.
- U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to Qatif for non-official travel due to safety risks
- The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Yemen border region due to the safety risks.
- U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia are advised to take the same precautions.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Terrorism is a concern in Saudi Arabia. Attacks can occur with little or no warning, especially around holidays. They can involve knives, firearms, and vehicles.
Potential targets include:
- Important political, cultural, or religious locations
- Places visited by U.S. citizens and other foreigners
- Tourist locations and large gatherings
- Transportation hubs
- Markets and shopping malls
- Entertainment venues
- Government facilities
Terrorists may use violence to respond to direct attacks against them or other military operations in the region.
Missile and drone attacks from Yemen
The Houthis in Yemen have launched missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia. Past attacks have targeted cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, and energy facilities throughout the country. The Houthis have previously conducted missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia, the last in 2022.
Recent Houthi attacks have targeted vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis have threatened to attack Saudi Arabia again.
Falling debris from intercepted drones and missiles are also a risk. U.S. citizens living and working near energy infrastructure and military bases may be at increased risk, especially closer to the Yemen border.
Exercise increased caution due to exit bans
U.S. citizens have been prevented from leaving Saudi Arabia. Exit bans may be related to pending criminal and civil investigations and cases, including, but not limited to unpaid visa overstay fees, domestic family disputes, and other financial and labor disagreements.
- Exit bans prevent individuals from leaving the country. These can last for many years.
- In some cases, exit bans can continue even after a criminal sentence has been fully served or a private suit is settled.
Exercise increased caution due to local laws
- Saudi authorities may detain you if they consider your social media posts or other online activity to be critical, offensive, or disruptive to the public order.
- U.S. citizens have been arrested for past social media activity, including comments posted while outside of Saudi Arabia. This may include posting, re-posting, or liking comments critical of the Saudi government or its leaders and policies. This also may apply to comments about public life or religion in Saudi Arabia.
- Local laws against cybercrime and terrorism may be used to prosecute cases related to social media use.
- Punishment for social media activity has included prison sentences of up to 45 years. Local authorities may not take into account when, where, or in what context posts are made.
- You are subject to local laws when traveling in Saudi Arabia. If you break laws in Saudi Arabia – even by mistake – you could be deported, fined, imprisoned, or subject to an exit ban. Some U.S. citizens have been detained for several months or even years without charges.
Aviation Safety
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Saudi Arabia. Consult the Federal Aviation Administration for the most up to date information on current FAA warnings.
Risks in specific areas
Level: 4 – Do not travel
The Yemen border region
Do Not Travel to the Yemen border due to threat of Terrorism.
Armed groups in Yemen have attacked Saudi border towns and other sites in Saudi Arabia with armed drones, missiles, and rockets. People near the border with Yemen are at increased risk.
- U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks.
- Terrorist groups continue to plan possible attacks in Saudi Arabia, including Qatif.
- U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel to Qatif for non-essential travel due to safety risks. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia need special authorization to travel to Qatif due to safety risks.
- The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas due to safety risks.
- U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia are advised to take the same precautions.
For U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Many prescription medications need prior approval before bringing into, or taking out of Saudi Arabia. Before you travel, register any listed prescriptions at the Controlled Drug System (CDS) website. This approval process may take several weeks.
- Review our information on Terrorism and travel to High-Risk Areas.
- Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis Response and Evacuations .
- Keep travel documents up to date and easy to access.
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- Stay alert in large crowds or tourist spots.
- Avoid public displays of affection, particularly between same-sex couples.
- Visit Saudi Arabia’s website for information about public decency regulations .
- Do not carry, produce, use, or distribute illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia.
- Review local laws and conditions before traveling, including our Saudi Arabia country information on arrests.
- Review our information for Gay and Lesbian travelers.
- Before you travel, delete any sensitive photos, comments, or past content that might be seen as controversial or inappropriate in Saudi Arabia. Do not post, share, or like such content while in Saudi Arabia. Do this for your social media accounts, cameras, laptops, phones, and other accounts and devices.
- Visit our page regarding Arrest or Detention Abroad for more information on what happens when you or a loved one are arrested abroad.
- Review the Country Security Report for Saudi Arabia.
- Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest Travel Health Information for Saudi Arabia.
- We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
- Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist .
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