Finished a sentence in a drug case and found you cannot travel? A travel ban in drug cases is not a passing administrative step but a penalty in the Narcotics Control Law that follows the prison term.
| Convicted person | After the sentence | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi | Banned from travel after release for a period equal to the sentence, at least two years | 56 |
| Non-Saudi | Deported after serving the sentence, and may return only under Hajj and Umrah rules | 56 |
Reviewed by: Rakan Jameel Al-DubaisiFounder & CEO of USUS Law FirmLast updated:
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Can it be lifted?
This ban is a penalty tied to the judgment, not an enforcement measure for a debt, so it is not lifted by paying or settling. What can be done depends on the judgment, its dates and any pardon; have a lawyer read the judgment first.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the travel ban in drug cases?
A Saudi convicted person is banned from travel after release for a period equal to the sentence, at least two years (Article 56 of the Narcotics Control Law).
What happens to a foreigner convicted in a drug case?
Deportation after the sentence, with return only under Hajj and Umrah rules.
See our drug lawyer in Riyadh and drug penalties for foreigners.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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