Saudi Arabia will impose fines of up to SR30,000 and travel bans of up to two years on citizens who visit countries under travel restrictions, the Saudi Gazette reported on Wednesday.

Repeat offenders will face doubled fines and travel bans of up to five years, under executive regulations of the Travel Documents Law approved by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.

Authorities will determine restricted destinations based on security and emergency considerations. Penalties may increase if travel involves conflict zones or high-risk countries, the report added.

The rules allow reduced penalties in limited cases, including family ties in the destination country, short transit stays of less than 48 hours, or for travellers aged 60 and above.

The regulations also impose a fine of up to SR5,000 for providing false information when applying for travel documents, with repeat violations attracting higher penalties and possible travel bans.

Serious violations, such as altering or falsifying travel documents, damaging passports, or tampering with photos, will be referred to the Public Prosecution.

Using another person’s passport, facilitating its misuse, or selling or pawning travel documents carries fines of up to SR100,000 and travel bans of up to five years. Penalties double for repeat offences.

Similar fines and bans apply to those entering or leaving the Kingdom through unofficial routes without valid justification.

The regulations reaffirm that entry and exit must take place through designated ports. In exceptional cases, individuals must report immediately to the nearest security authority.

Citizens are required to safeguard their passports and use national identity cards for identification within the Kingdom. Those residing abroad must register their passports with Saudi missions.

Lost or damaged passports must be reported electronically. Recovered documents must be submitted for cancellation, while Saudi missions abroad may issue temporary travel documents to facilitate return.