Saudi Arabia
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on work.
- Ban on residence.
- Deportation based on HIV status.
Restrictions on entry to Saudi Arabia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Saudi Arabia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS, Saudi Arabia deports non-nationals on the basis of HIV status. However, it does not state that there are HIV tests or disclosure on entry.
The US Department of State reports that travellers for tourism are not tested or requested to provide information about HIV status.
The official website of Saudi Arabia to request a visa lists the documents to be submitted. While these vary depending on the country of nationality and residency, there does not appear to be an explicit medical certificate, test or disclosure requirement for tourists.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Saudi Arabia
We are aware of some official restrictions on entry of people living with HIV to Saudi Arabia.
According to UNAIDS, Saudi Arabia requires HIV testing for work and study visas.
However, the US Department of State reports that Saudi Arabia has not imposed HIV travel restrictions on short term travellers. However, to obtain work permits, you are required to obtain a medical report or physical examination confirming that you are free from contagious diseases, including HIV. If you test positive for HIV (or hepatitis), you will not be allowed to work in the Kingdom.
The Government of Canada website, Travel and tourism information highlights that you must produce an HIV test certificate if you intend to work in Saudi Arabia.
According to the information available on the website of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, among the requirements for both a student visa and an employment visa, applicants should provide: ‘A medical report in three copies, along with all lab results, [which] must be issued by a licensed physician certifying the applicant is free of contagious diseases. Physician must sign each copy of the medical report indicating their license number and address. Medical reports must be no more than three (3) months past the date of issuance.’
It should be noted that Article 11 of the health profession regulation in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requires the health practitioner to report to the health authorities any suspicion of an infectious disease after examining a patient, and that HIV is among such conditions. In that particular case, the notification should take place immediately by the laboratory person authorising the result.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Saudi Arabia
According to UNAIDS, Saudi Arabia requires HIV testing for residency permits (over 90 days), and these are denied on the basis of HIV status.
The US Department of State reports that to obtain residence permits, you are required to obtain a medical report or physical examination confirming that you are free from contagious diseases, including HIV.
According to the information available on the website of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, among the requirements for a residence visa, the medical report outlined above is required.
Saudi Arabia also offers premium residency visas, which have the same medical requirement.
Treatment access in Saudi Arabia
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Saudi Arabia. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
In Saudi Arabia, foreign workers who test positive for HIV are typically subject to deportation, and the country has strict laws regarding the status of HIV-positive individuals, especially migrants. This creates a difficult situation for those who discover they are HIV positive while living or working there.
Public hospitals and public clinics are required by law to report certain communicable diseases, including HIV, to the authorities.
Many people in this situation opt to seek treatment in neighbouring countries where HIV treatment is accessible with fewer restrictions. It is important to note that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries share data on communicable diseases, so it is important to pick a country that does not share such restrictions.
Saudi Arabia’s legal framework is very strict on HIV, and individuals should be cautious to avoid breaching local laws that could lead to deportation or legal action.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Saudi Arabia page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
