For many stranded travellers, having a Saudi transit visa has now become an essential backup plan
The Saudi transit or “pass” visa has quickly become one of the most sought-after travel documents in Qatar and Bahrain for Indians who are living there and trying to return to India, said media reports citing travel agents and visa offices.
Indians form the largest expatriate community in both countries, even outnumbering local citizens in Qatar. However, with airports in Doha and Bahrain largely shut since February 28 due to the ongoing regional tensions, thousands are now searching for alternative routes to travel.
Many residents are planning to leave the Gulf through Saudi Arabia, using transit visas that allow them to enter the country briefly before catching flights to India. Saudi airports have remained comparatively stable. According to aviation data firm Cirium, almost all flights from Bahrain and most flights from Doha were cancelled on Saturday. Out of 328 scheduled flights from Doha, 321 were cancelled, while all 98 flights from Bahrain remained grounded.
In contrast, flight disruptions were far lower in Saudi Arabia and nearby Oman. Less than 10% of flights were cancelled in Jeddah, about 15% in Riyadh, 18% in Medina and around 19% in Muscat.
Because of this, many travellers are preparing backup plans. Some residents in Qatar are applying for Saudi transit visas and arranging permits to drive across the land border. The journey requires careful preparation, including vehicle permissions and packing for long waits at border crossings.
Others in Bahrain are considering driving across the 25-kilometre King Fahd Causeway — also known as the Friendship Bridge — which connects the country to Saudi Arabia.
Indian embassies in Doha and Bahrain have been receiving a surge of requests from citizens seeking help with Saudi visas and travel options.
Meanwhile, evacuation efforts continue. According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), more than 52,000 passengers have already flown from Gulf cities to India on 280 flights since the crisis began. These flights have mainly operated from Muscat, Dubai, Fujairah and Jeddah.
