Fully vaccinated tourists allowed to enter Saudi Arabia from Aug. 1 without quarantine

Tourists from various countries will be allowed entry to Saudi Arabia as long as they meet the criteria starting from August 1, the ministry said. (AN Photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 30 July 2021
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Fully vaccinated tourists allowed to enter Saudi Arabia from Aug. 1 without quarantine

  • Must have received two doses of the approved vaccines in the Kingdom, namely Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna
  • Vaccination status must be shown to enter public places

RIYADH: Visitors to Saudi Arabia who have been fully vaccinated can enter the Kingdom without the need for an institutional quarantine period, provided that a vaccination certificate is presented, the country’s tourism ministry announced Thursday.

Tourists from various countries will be allowed entry as long as they meet the criteria starting from August 1, the ministry said.

A statement issued on Thursday said those who were fully immunized are those who have received two doses of the approved vaccines in the Kingdom, namely Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna.

Visitors to the Kingdom are also required to register their data related to their vaccination doses on the new dedicated electronic portal, while their data is also recorded through the “Tawakkalna” application, and must be shown to enter public places.

As for those wishing to obtain tourist visas, they can apply through the “Spirit of Saudi” website, visitsaudi.com.

“We welcome tourists again, and we are very happy to receive the Kingdom's guests again after a pause due to the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic,” Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib said.

“We focused our efforts during the downtime on close cooperation with our partners in all sectors to ensure a safe return through which visitors to the Kingdom enjoy exploring its tourist treasures, important destinations and landmarks, enjoy unique tourist experiences, and learn about the culture of generosity and hospitality that characterizes the Saudi society,” he added.

Saudi Arabia first opened its doors to foreign tourists in September 2019. In the first six months, it had issued about 400,000 visas before the suspension of travel and the closure of ports and borders following the COVID-19 pandemic.


Saudi Arabia advances education investment through new partnerships

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia advances education investment through new partnerships

  • Riyadh forum sees 12 agreements signed to enhance infrastructure, innovation, capacity building, and public-private collaboration

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurated the second Education and Training Investment Forum in Riyadh.

The two-day event, which concluded on Monday, was attended by leaders, decision-makers, investors, and experts.

The forum focused on transforming the education sector into a key economic driver, aligned with the Human Capability Development Program and Saudi Vision 2030.

In his speech, Al-Benyan highlighted the support of the Kingdom’s leadership, enabling the ministry to foster partnerships with the private and nonprofit sectors.

This includes launching an investor guide to facilitate foreign investment in education through legislative frameworks ensuring secure returns.

During the forum, 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between the education ecosystem and various entities, focusing on education investment, training development, capacity building, and innovation.

These agreements aim to strengthen strategic partnerships and improve educational outcomes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The minister also honored outstanding students who excelled in international competitions, including the 2025 WorldSkills Asia and the Seoul International Invention Fair, recognizing their contributions to excellence and innovation.

The forum featured over 1,500 participants, including government leaders, educational institutions, and investors, and included panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops on investment strategies in education and successful public-private partnerships.

On the sidelines of the forum, New Murabba, a Public Investment Fund company, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tatweer Buildings Co., a subsidiary of Tatweer Education Holding Co.

The MoU establishes an exploratory collaboration to strengthen educational infrastructure and support community development in downtown Riyadh, the SPA added.

Under the agreement, New Murabba and Tatweer Buildings Co. will share expertise, form strategic partnerships, and co-develop programs to enhance the design, development, and operation of educational and community-focused projects.

The MoU also emphasizes incorporating global best practices in the design and operation of educational spaces, the SPA reported.

Both parties are committed to promoting sustainability by exploring eco-friendly solutions for future facilities and projects.

The collaboration will also provide consultancy and thought leadership to improve the quality and impact of educational initiatives.

The agreement includes exploring economic feasibility studies, supporting innovative public-private partnerships, and driving long-term, high-impact investments in the sector.

Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba, said: “This partnership with Tatweer Buildings Co. reflects our shared vision for shaping world-class educational and community spaces. Together, we aim to deliver projects that are purpose-driven, sustainable, and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s future ambitions.”