Indians living in Qatar and Bahrain are scrambling to obtain Saudi Arabia transit visas as backup evacuation routes, following widespread airport closures that began February 28. Qatar and Bahrain airports remain mostly shut, forcing the large Indian communities in both countries to seek alternative departure options.
Saudi Transit Visa Demand Surges Among Indians
Indians represent the single-largest nationality in Qatar, outnumbering even local Qataris, and form the largest expatriate community in Bahrain. These communities are now targeting Saudi Arabia as their primary alternative exit route due to better airport operations compared to their current locations.
Data from aviation analytics company Cirium shows the stark difference in flight operations across the region. On Saturday, all 98 flights scheduled from Bahrain were cancelled, while Qatar saw 321 out of 328 scheduled flights cancelled.
| Airport | Saturday Cancellation Rate |
|---|---|
| Bahrain | 100% (98 flights) |
| Doha, Qatar | 98% (321 of 328 flights) |
| Dubai, UAE | 53% |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | 76% |
| Jeddah, Saudi | Under 10% |
| Riyadh, Saudi | 15% |
Transit Visa Options for Indian Travelers
Indians with existing US visas can obtain transit visa-on-arrival at Saudi Arabia’s land borders. However, family members without US visas must apply for a separate “pass” or transit visa through the regular application process.
A Doha-based Indian resident explained his family’s situation: “I have a US visa and am eligible for transit visa-on-arrival at the land border with Saudi, but my family members don’t have the same. We have applied for the pass visa and are awaiting the same.”
Indian embassy staff in both Doha and Bahrain are receiving numerous requests for Saudi visa assistance as residents prepare contingency plans.
Alternative Routes Through UAE and Oman
For Indians stranded in the UAE, Muscat in Oman serves as the primary alternative departure point. UAE airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and Sharjah are operating limited flights, but capacity remains insufficient for the number of Indians seeking to return home.
Muscat airport shows an 19% cancellation rate, making it more reliable than UAE options but still requiring careful planning.
Land Border Travel Requirements
Travelers planning to drive across land borders to reach Saudi Arabia or Oman must obtain both appropriate visas and vehicle permits. The process requires advance preparation beyond just securing the necessary travel documents.
For comprehensive information about Saudi Arabia entry requirements, consult our Saudi Arabia travel resources. Indians planning alternative routes should also check current processing times using our Processing Times tool for the most up-to-date information.
Iran provided conditional assurance on Saturday that it would not attack neighboring countries unless those territories are used by the US and Israel to launch attacks, offering some relief to Gulf nations while many residents continue preparing backup evacuation plans.
FAQ
Q: Can Indians get transit visa-on-arrival at Saudi land borders? A: Indians with US visas are eligible for transit visa-on-arrival at Saudi land borders, but family members without US visas need to apply for a separate pass visa.
Q: Which airports are still operating normally in the region? A: Saudi airports show lower cancellation rates: Jeddah (under 10%), Riyadh (15%), and Medina (18%) compared to Qatar and Bahrain where most flights are cancelled.
Q: What documents are needed to drive from Qatar to Saudi Arabia? A: Travelers need both a Saudi visa and a vehicle permit to cross land borders from Qatar to Saudi Arabia by car.
Q: Are UAE airports a viable alternative for Indians? A: UAE airports like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are handling limited flights with high cancellation rates (53% Dubai, 76% Abu Dhabi), making them insufficient for the demand.
Source: Aviation analytics company Cirium, Indian Embassy sources