Saudi Arabia

Overview

Houthi attacks against Saudi interests in the Southwestern provinces have resumed in recent weeks. The security situation remains highly volatile.  Civilian infrastructure and energy infrastructure continue to remain a target of Houthi strikes. While these attacks are more common in the Southwestern provinces of Najran, Jazan and Asir, missile and drone threats are not confined to these specific regions and may affect airports, transport hubs, energy infrastructure and other critical facilities, throughout Saudi Arabia.

Military and retaliatory strikes have also continued between the United States and Iran in recent months, with Iranian attacks targeting a number of locations in the Middle East including the Eastern and Riyadh provinces of Saudi Arabia. Whilst this hasn’t occurred in recent weeks, military activity could occur or resume in a sustained way at any time, with US linked locations continuing to remain a target of Iranian strikes. 

Travel disruptions and airspace closures could occur at short notice, potentially impacting New Zealanders throughout Saudi Arabia for some time. Our travel advice levels could also change at short notice. 

Given this, we strongly encourage New Zealanders to:

• to register their travel on SafeTravel, as this is the official registration facility for New Zealanders travelling or living overseas. If you’re registered on SafeTravel we are able to: 
• Contact you if there is a major incident overseas.
• Send you updates in the event of an emergency. 
• Send you updates we make to our Travel Advice.

New Zealanders should ensure they follow any shelter orders given by local authorities. These measures are in place to ensure your safety. Before and during the event of a missile or drone strike:

• Know how alerts are communicated in your location (for example, sirens or mobile phone alerts).
  • Sign up and monitor local and international media to stay informed of developments. If a registration system exists in your area sign up to the alerts issued by local civil defence authorities.  
• Know what to do. Follow the advice of local authorities at all times. This includes any evacuation orders or shelter in place instructions. 
• Know where to go, including whether there are shelters in your location or nearby.
  • If there are designated shelters, go to one immediately
  • If there are no designated shelters, immediately move inside a building and ideally to a basement or interior room away from windows. Talk to your residence or hotel, to confirm the best place to shelter in place where you are, should that be necessary.
  • Shelter in place until you receive an all‑clear notification, or for at least one hour after the last attack or intercept is heard.
• Be prepared: 
  • Know where likely targets are and avoid these locations, relocating to a safer location if they’re close by. Likely targets include military bases, oil infrastructure, critical infrastructure like airports, power plants and sub-stations, telecommunication sites, de-salination plants and US Linked locations like: US diplomatic facilities (E.g. US Embassies, US Consulates) and identifiably US businesses.  
  • Register your current or upcoming travel here: Register, or check your registration details here: Login
  • Ensure you have enough bottled water, and supplies like torches and batteries. 
  • Make sure you have a sufficient supply of any medicines you may be taking.
  • Stay in contact with family and friends and keep them up to date on your location and plans.
  • Ensure your passport is up to date and is valid for more than six months before travelling. Information on how to renew your passport is available from the Department of Internal Affairs.   
  • Read our advice on Violence or conflict.  

New Zealanders travelling or living in Saudi Arabia should be aware of the following: 

• There is a residual threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. 
• Civil unrest—public demonstrations and protests are illegal, should be avoided, and the advice of local authorities followed. 
• Local laws—ensure that you know the local laws and customs, especially around public decency, drugs and photography. 

New Zealanders travelling or living in Saudi Arabia should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air. 

New Zealanders travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj should read our advice on Travel to Hajj.  

See below for detailed travel advice. 

Consular assistance for New Zealanders

Saudi Arabia does not recognise dual nationality for its citizens. Authorities may seize extra passports if they find them. If you are a dual national, and you’re travelling with both passports, you can only leave Saudi Arabia with the passport you used to enter. See our advice for travelling as a dual citizen.

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