A Comprehensive Overview Of Saudi Arabia's Borders

Saudi Arabia, a vast and diverse country situated on the Arabian Peninsula, shares borders with several nations. These neighboring countries play a crucial role in shaping Saudi Arabia's diplomatic relations, economic ties, and cultural exchanges. In this article, we will clarify Saudi Arabia's border with its neighboring countries, examining their unique characteristics and significance.

What is the border number in Saudi Arabia?

The border number is a unique 10-digit code not printed on your visa but exclusively assigned to expatriates entering Saudi Arabia with a new visa. With its ten digits, the border number significantly contributes to monitoring visa status and providing vital information. Thanks to the introduction of the Absher online portal, verifying your border number has become a seamless task, eliminating the requirement to log in and thereby improving convenience and accessibility.

Border number in Saudi Arabia

How many borders are in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia shares its borders with seven countries and is surrounded by three bodies of water. To the east, it is bordered by the Arabian Gulf, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. To the west, it is surrounded by the Red Sea. To the north, Saudi shares borders with Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan, and to the south, it borders Yemen and Oman.

Can I enter Saudi through the border with Evisa?

No. Foreigners holding a Saudi e-visa can only enter the country through the following international airports:

• King Fahd International Airport
• King Abdulaziz International Airport
• King Khalid International Airport
• Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport

In addition, a Saudi eVisa holder is also allowed to enter all the seaports in Saudi Arabia.

What countries border Saudi Arabia?

1. Saudi - Jordan border: A Bridge between Two Regions

The 731-kilometer land boundary between the Kingdoms of Jordan and Saudi Arabia commences in the north at the intersection of the border with Iraq. It follows six short, straight lines, encompassing an abruptly concave section called "Winston's Hiccup."

The border was fully delimited in 1965, resulting in a territorial exchange. Jordan acquired land along the Gulf of Aqaba to the south, while Saudi Arabia gained landlocked territory in the southwest. The final point of the land border, as established in the 2007 maritime boundary agreement, is situated on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline.

Dating back to the 1940s, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have maintained positive diplomatic relations. The two countries positively shared political and religious perspectives. Currently, there are no known contemporary border disputes between the two countries.

Saudi-Jordan border

2. Saudi - Iraq border: A Historical and Strategic Partnership

Iraq and Saudi Arabia share a land boundary spanning 811 kilometers (504 miles), which underwent modern delimitation in 1981. The boundary runs in a series of straight lines from the tripoint with Jordan, heading southeast to the tripoint with Kuwait, and divides the populated desert territory.

The boundary was delimited in 1922, encompassing a neutral zone that posed challenges in the division due to its inhabitants' nomadic nature. In the 1970s, Iraq and Saudi Arabia initiated contemporary delimitation efforts, which aimed to define the boundary through the neutral zone. This culminated in a bilateral agreement in 1981, where the boundary was jointly demarcated.

Despite their history of strained relations, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are presently making concerted efforts to improve cooperation, with a particular focus on border crossings and management. This promising development indicates a significant shift in their diplomatic dynamics and collaborative efforts, fostering a sense of hope for the region's future.

3. Saudi - Qatar border

Qatar and Saudi Arabia have two maritime boundaries, with one in the west dividing the Dawhat Salwa and another in the east originating from the Khawr Al-Udaid. These States also share a land boundary between the two maritime limits. The western boundary was initially set in 1965 as part of the Agreement that simultaneously defined their land boundary. The establishment of the eastern maritime line occurred later in 2008.

Saudi-Qatar border

4. Saudi - Kuwait border

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia share a 221-kilometer (137-mile) international boundary that commences in the northwest at the tripoint with Iraq and continues southeastward. At the 29th parallel of latitude, it takes a southward turn before proceeding eastward and concluding at the coast of the Persian, or Arabian, Gulf.

Although the process of delimiting their shared land border began in 1913, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia successfully defined their boundary only in 2019. Despite both countries being former British protectorates, the progress on the land boundary division did not occur until Kuwait gained its independence in 1961. Prior to independence, the boundary between the two States included a Divided or Neutral Zone introduced in 1922.

The initial division of the Neutral Zone was agreed upon in 1965, generally acknowledged as the boundary in 1969, and reaffirmed through a modern demarcation in 2019.

5. Saudi - United Arab Emirates (UAE) border: Economic Partners in the Gulf

Saudi Arabia shares borders with the UAE to the west and south, which is a significant geographical and geopolitical juncture in the Arabian Peninsula. The boundary stretches considerably, reflecting the historical ties and contemporary cooperation between these two Gulf nations. The border's delineation has been meticulously established, with both countries working collaboratively to ensure its accuracy and effectiveness.

Beyond the geographical boundary, Saudi Arabia and the UAE share robust economic ties, collaborating within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to enhance regional stability and development. The border symbolizes the solid diplomatic relations between these nations, fostering mutual understanding and contributing to the overall prosperity of the Gulf region.

Read more: Saud Arabia visa for GCC residents

6. Saudi - Oman border

The border between Oman and Saudi Arabia spans 658 km (409 miles), from the tripoint with the United Arab Emirates in the north to the tripoint with Yemen in the southwest. The border checkpoint along this expanse is Rub Al-Khali, established in 2006 through a joint announcement by the two countries. This checkpoint is a crucial connection between the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and the Ad Dhahirah Region of Oman and is strategically situated in the Rub' al Khali desert.

Saudi-Oman border

7. Saudi - Bahrain border

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are neighboring states located at the southern end of the Persian/Arabian Gulf. Their maritime boundary, established in 1958, is historically significant as the first to delineate a continental shelf boundary in the Gulf. The border between them adheres to a modified equidistance line and aligns with the eastern limit of a Saudi Arabian oil field. An agreement was established to define a revenue-sharing area to facilitate cooperation and economic collaboration between the two nations.

Saudi’s borders with Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain showcase the relationships that define the Arabian Peninsula's role in the Middle East. As these nations navigate the challenges and opportunities of the modern world, their collaborative efforts contribute to the stability and prosperity of the entire region. Are you excited to discover more about Saudi Arabia? Apply for a Saudi visa today and kick off a fun-filled exploration journey within the top-rated attractions in Saudi.