Compulsory insurance for tourists

Saudi Arabia will soon impose a health insurance requirement for all visitors to the Kingdom. This instruction does not apply to pilgrims to Mecca. Coverage will include medical assistance and repatriation. No visa shall be issued to persons without the submission in advance of the insurance certificate.

This obligation applies especially to people who visit their family living in the country and who are sometimes faced with unexpected costs due to chronic diseases, childbirth, infections, etc. Saudi Arabia has issued 1.3 million visas in 2013, that is 7% more than in 2012. The date when this measure will be in effect is not yet known.