Saudi Arabia halts all visas for arrivals from Kenya over Ebola and bars anyone who was there in the past 21 days
Saudi Arabia has suspended all visas for arrivals from Kenya and bars anyone who was there in the past 21 days, though Kenya has only nine Ebola cases.
At a glance
- Saudi Arabia announced on Friday, October 30, that it has suspended travel by its citizens to Kenya and all categories of visa for arrivals from there.
- Anyone who stayed in Kenya or another country with an active Ebola outbreak in the 21 days before arrival is barred, including those transiting through third countries.
- Kenya has nine confirmed cases and two deaths, and its health ministry says it has gone 10 days without a new infection.
- Saudi Arabia imposed similar measures on DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan in June.
Saudi Arabia on Friday stopped issuing all categories of visa to people arriving from Kenya and told its own citizens not to travel there, citing the risk of Ebola. Anyone who has stayed in Kenya, or in another country with an active outbreak, during the 21 days before arrival will be refused entry.
The announcement came through the Saudi Press Agency on October 30, with Kenya's outbreak still small: nine confirmed infections and two deaths, according to its health ministry. No end date was given.
Who the new rules affect
| Group | What changes |
|---|---|
| Saudi citizens | Travel to Kenya is suspended |
| Anyone arriving from Kenya | Visa issuance is halted in all categories |
| Direct arrivals who stayed in Kenya in the past 21 days | Entry barred |
| Travellers who transit a third country after Kenya | Entry barred if within the 21 days |
| People who stayed in any other country with an active outbreak | Entry barred if within the 21 days |
The 21-day figure matches the longest period Ebola is generally understood to take to cause symptoms after exposure, so a stopover in Dubai, Doha or Addis Ababa does not reset the clock.
The announcement did not specifically address Umrah pilgrims or Kenyans already working in the kingdom. Its wording on "all categories" of visa suggests pilgrim visas are included, but those with bookings should confirm with their agent or the Saudi embassy in Nairobi before spending more money.
Kenya's case count against the scale of the ban
Kenya's outbreak traces back to a man who travelled from DR Congo through Uganda, reached Nairobi on October 3 and died two days later after testing positive for the Bundibugyo strain. The second death came on October 23. All nine infections have been linked to that one cluster.
The health ministry said on Friday that the country had gone 10 days without a new infection. Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the first 20 contacts were released from quarantine on October 26, with 46 more due out on November 3. The government aims to release all remaining contacts by November 11.
Kenya's government response to the Saudi decision had not been reported at the time of writing.
Riyadh's earlier moves
The kingdom has used this approach before. Its Ebola protocols date back to July 2019 and were reinforced in May 2026. In June, it suspended travel to and from DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
Saudi Arabia's Public Health Authority said the health situation in the kingdom remained reassuring and under constant surveillance, and that it was coordinating with local and international health agencies.
The move came on the same day that Congo's death toll passed 5,000, with 10,351 infections recorded there since May. Nigeria has also reported one case, who was evacuated to Switzerland.
What Kenyan travellers can do now
Anyone with a booked trip should contact their airline about refunds or rebooking, since the visa halt is a government restriction and airlines will not board passengers who cannot enter. Workers whose visas or contracts are affected should contact their recruitment agent and Kenya's foreign ministry.
The first date that may change the picture is November 11, Kenya's target for ending quarantine of contacts. Riyadh has not said what would lead it to lift the ban.
Questions people are asking
Can Kenyans travel to Saudi Arabia now?
Saudi Arabia has suspended all categories of visa for arrivals from Kenya and bars anyone who stayed there in the previous 21 days. No end date has been given in the announcement.
Can I avoid the Saudi ban by flying from Kenya through another country?
No. The entry ban also covers travellers transiting through third countries if they were in Kenya or another country with an active Ebola outbreak in the 21 days before arriving.
