There is no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens for President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and the entire Department of State.
The U.S. government cares about your safety and will continue to share up-to-the-minute information you need to make informed decisions about your safety. The U.S. government is ready to help Americans leave the Middle East if you choose to take advantage of the options available.
In addition to commercial departure options, please note that the Department is coordinating flights out of the region and can manifest Americans who have completed the Crisis Intake Form as space is available.
Please complete this form so the Department of State can better assist you and provide you with timely updates: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake . If you have already completed the crisis intake form, please do not fill it out again.
U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia can also call the State Department at +1-202-501-4444 to receive departure information and assistance.
If you choose to not take advantage of departure options available, Americans should be prepared to shelter in place in a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items.
Options to Depart
- Commercial flights are currently operating out of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran. Saudi airspace remains open, but with significant flight cancellations and prolonged operational delays. Americans should strongly consider departing on one of these flights if they believe it is safe to do so. Visit airline websites to find information about flight availability and purchasing tickets.
Follow the Department of State guidelines to protect yourself from scams .
Be careful of anyone asking for money. If you are a victim of a scam, learn how the FBI can help .
Shelter in Place
- If you choose not to depart via commercial options, you should be prepared to shelter in place in a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items.
- On March 8, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave due to sustained missile and drone threats targeting American and diplomatic interests in the Kingdom.
- Essential employees remaining will continue under a modified shelter-in-place status and are advised to avoid the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate Dhahran. We recommend all Americans in the Kingdom do the same until further notice. To the extent possible, remain in your residence, hotel, or another structure, and stay away from windows.
Embassy and Consulate Operations
- The U.S. Embassy and Consulates have suspended all routine consular services until further notice.
- For U.S. passports currently held by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh we are making arrangements to return them via the courier service.
- For Americans who do not have a valid U.S. passport, arrangements will be made to provide passport services once security conditions permit.
- U.S. citizens should complete this form so the Department of State can better assist you and provide you with timely updates: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake .
- If you have already completed the crisis intake form, please do not fill it out again.
Actions to Take
- Maintain communication with family and friends to inform them of your status.
- Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
- Find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items.
- In case of an attack, stay away from any debris, and monitor news outlets for official guidance.
- Avoid protests and demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Pay close attention to communications from local officials.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety and security updates from the U.S. Embassy.
- Keep your cell phone charged and pre-programmed with the following emergency numbers.
Assistance
- Local emergency numbers:
- Unified Emergency number (Police, Firefighters, traffic police, and others): 911
- Police: 999
- Highway security: 996
- Ambulance: 997
- U.S. Department of State: Call +1 202-501-4444 from abroad or +1 888-407-4747 when calling from the U.S. and Canada.
