Airlines Must Verify Transit Documents Before Boarding

Saudi civil aviation has issued a circular (August 2026) requiring all air carriers and private airlines operating at Saudi airports to verify that passengers hold the documents needed for entry, exit and transit before allowing them to board — for both Saudi Arabia and any transit or destination country on their route.

Under the directive, airlines must confirm each passenger holds a valid passport and, where applicable, a Saudi visa, eVisa, or stopover/transit visa. They must also check for a confirmed onward or return ticket and a full itinerary to the final destination or next transit point, along with any required health documents such as vaccinations for certain routes. During Hajj and Umrah seasons, airlines must verify the relevant Hajj or Umrah documentation where applicable.

For passengers arriving at King Abdulaziz International Airport, carriers are instructed not to board holders of transit visas from Category A countries unless they hold confirmed tickets and travel dates onward to another Category A country. During the Hajj restriction period, airlines must enforce the ban on entering Makkah for holders of Umrah, tourist or visit visas who lack a valid Hajj visa or official permit, and must display clear signs at boarding gates and inform passengers before and during travel.

What it means for transit passengers

Travelers connecting through Saudi airports do not need a visa to stay airside if the connection is under 12 hours, both flights are on the same ticket with the same airline, and they do not pass immigration. A transit or stopover visa is required if the layover exceeds 12 hours, the passenger must clear immigration, or they wish to leave the airport.

The stopover visa (up to 96 hours) is single-entry and non-extendable, and is issued at the time of booking only for passengers of الخطوط السعودية and طيران ناس through the airline's portal — typically free of charge. Checking documents before departure helps travelers avoid being denied boarding.

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