Medina Entry Requirements

Children need their own passport and visa to enter Saudi Arabia. If a child is traveling with only one parent, or with a guardian who is not a parent, Saudi immigration authorities may ask for documentation proving the absent parent's consent. Carrying a notarized letter of authorization from the non-traveling parent is a sensible precaution, as the requirement is enforced inconsistently but can cause delays when it is. Birth certificates or legal guardianship documents should be kept accessible. Children on pilgrimage visas are subject to the same health requirements as adults, including any seasonal vaccination mandates. Prepare paperwork thoroughly.

Importing pets into Saudi Arabia requires an import permit from the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, along with a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in your home country, typically within a short window before departure. Rabies vaccination is mandatory, and some breeds of dogs face restrictions or outright bans. The process involves considerable paperwork and advance planning, and given Medina's status as a holy city, practical considerations around keeping pets there may differ from other Saudi cities. Contact the Saudi embassy in your country well in advance if you plan to travel with an animal. Reconsider bringing pets.

If you wish to stay in Saudi Arabia beyond the period permitted by your visa, you will generally need to apply for an extension through the Saudi Jawazat (passport office) before your current authorization expires. Overstaying a visa in Saudi Arabia carries fines, potential detention, and deportation, and may affect your ability to obtain future Saudi visas. For longer-term stays related to work, study, or family, separate visa categories and residency permits apply. Consult the Saudi immigration authority or a Saudi embassy for guidance on which category fits your situation. Do not overstay.

Non-Muslim travelers are welcome in Medina and can visit most of the city freely. However, the central area around Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, known as the Haram, is restricted to Muslims only. This boundary is clearly marked, and access is controlled. Non-Muslim visitors should be aware of this restriction when planning their time in Medina and focus their itinerary on the many areas of the city that are open to all visitors. There is no religious test at the airport, and your faith does not affect the immigration process itself.

Saudi Arabia has relaxed many of its previous restrictions on female travelers in recent years. Women over 21 can generally travel independently and obtain tourist visas without a male guardian's approval. That said, Medina is a conservative city, and modest dress is expected in public spaces. Women should carry a loose-fitting outer garment and headscarf, when near religious sites. The practical experience of female travelers in Medina is generally positive, though cultural norms around gender interaction differ from many Western countries. Women traveling for Hajj or Umrah under the age of 45 previously needed a male guardian, though these rules have been subject to recent changes, so confirm current requirements with your pilgrimage operator.

If you take prescription medication, carry it in its original packaging along with a letter from your prescribing doctor that states the medication name, dosage, and the medical condition it treats. Certain medications that are legal in other countries are controlled or banned in Saudi Arabia, including some common painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, and stimulants. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority maintains a list of controlled substances, and bringing a banned medication into the country, even with a prescription from elsewhere, can result in arrest. If you are unsure whether your medication is permitted, contact the Saudi embassy in your country before traveling.