Denied Boarding by Saudi Arabian Airlines Despite Holding a Valid Saudi Visa

[appwarez]

On June 3, 2025, friend of mine had a very bad experience @ Person Airport last week and confusing incident in which they, are holder of a Canadian Refugee Travel Document (RTD), was denied boarding by Saudi Arabian Airlines, despite holding a valid Saudi Arabian visa issued by the Saudi Embassy in Ottawa.

A valid Canadian Refugee Travel Document (RTD)

A valid Saudi visa clearly stamped inside the RTD

A confirmed flight ticket with Saudi Arabian Airlines

To shock, the airline staff informed them that they do not accept Refugee Travel Documents for boarding, regardless of the visa status. This decision was made solely by the airline, not by the Saudi immigration authorities, and no clear written policy or justification was provided.

This caused significant hardship, as all travel plans were canceled, personal matters delayed, and emotional distress endured — particularly because their visa had been issued lawfully after full verification by the Saudi Embassy.

Respectfully ask for clarification on:

Why a valid visa issued in accordance with Saudi immigration policy is not honored by its national carrier

Whether this refusal is in compliance with international aviation and visa agreements

If there is a documented airline policy available that justifies this decision

Also kindly request that Canadian authorities or international aviation regulators consider intervening in or reviewing this matter, as such blanket refusals undermine the integrity of the visa process and leave vulnerable travelers stranded and humiliated through no fault of their own.

 

[scylla]

On June 3, 2025, friend of mine had a very bad experience @ Person Airport last week and confusing incident in which they, are holder of a Canadian Refugee Travel Document (RTD), was denied boarding by Saudi Arabian Airlines, despite holding a valid Saudi Arabian visa issued by the Saudi Embassy in Ottawa.

A valid Canadian Refugee Travel Document (RTD)

A valid Saudi visa clearly stamped inside the RTD

A confirmed flight ticket with Saudi Arabian Airlines

To shock, the airline staff informed them that they do not accept Refugee Travel Documents for boarding, regardless of the visa status. This decision was made solely by the airline, not by the Saudi immigration authorities, and no clear written policy or justification was provided.

This caused significant hardship, as all travel plans were canceled, personal matters delayed, and emotional distress endured — particularly because their visa had been issued lawfully after full verification by the Saudi Embassy.

Respectfully ask for clarification on:

Why a valid visa issued in accordance with Saudi immigration policy is not honored by its national carrier

Whether this refusal is in compliance with international aviation and visa agreements

If there is a documented airline policy available that justifies this decision

Also kindly request that Canadian authorities or international aviation regulators consider intervening in or reviewing this matter, as such blanket refusals undermine the integrity of the visa process and leave vulnerable travelers stranded and humiliated through no fault of their own.

FYI - there are no Canadian authorities or international aviation regulators on this forum.

 

[Buletruck]

Given the date, is your friend from one of the countries facing the "Haj Travel Restrictions" imposed by the Saudi government or without the appropriate visa? Other tha that, I doubt the airline would deny boarding arbitrarily. They'll have have some policy or procedure related to this they are following.

 

[Here4help]

On June 3, 2025, friend of mine had a very bad experience @ Person Airport last week and confusing incident in which they, are holder of a Canadian Refugee Travel Document (RTD), was denied boarding by Saudi Arabian Airlines, despite holding a valid Saudi Arabian visa issued by the Saudi Embassy in Ottawa.

A valid Canadian Refugee Travel Document (RTD)

A valid Saudi visa clearly stamped inside the RTD

A confirmed flight ticket with Saudi Arabian Airlines

To shock, the airline staff informed them that they do not accept Refugee Travel Documents for boarding, regardless of the visa status. This decision was made solely by the airline, not by the Saudi immigration authorities, and no clear written policy or justification was provided.

This caused significant hardship, as all travel plans were canceled, personal matters delayed, and emotional distress endured — particularly because their visa had been issued lawfully after full verification by the Saudi Embassy.

Respectfully ask for clarification on:

Why a valid visa issued in accordance with Saudi immigration policy is not honored by its national carrier

Whether this refusal is in compliance with international aviation and visa agreements

If there is a documented airline policy available that justifies this decision

Also kindly request that Canadian authorities or international aviation regulators consider intervening in or reviewing this matter, as such blanket refusals undermine the integrity of the visa process and leave vulnerable travelers stranded and humiliated through no fault of their own.

Its was Hajj season and Umra is prohibited only allowed for Locals. Its not for Travel document its for wrong timing.

 

[appwarez]

Given the date, is your friend from one of the countries facing the "Haj Travel Restrictions" imposed by the Saudi government or without the appropriate visa? Other tha that, I doubt the airline would deny boarding arbitrarily. They'll have have some policy or procedure related to this they are following.

Well, Canada does not Included in it so called Restriction, though they have got the ONE YEAR TOURIST VISA, and have come to conclusion with following;

• Saudi Arabia does not recognize RTDs as valid travel documents for visa issuance or entry.
• Even if the Saudi visa system approved a visa, the airline or border agents can still deny boarding or entry if the passport type (RTD) is not accepted.

Why Did They Get the Visa Then?

1. Automated Visa Systems: Many Saudi visa applications are processed online, with minimal manual review — especially for tourist visas.
2. RTD Misclassification: The system may have accepted the RTD as a regular passport if it wasn’t flagged properly.
3. Final Checkpoint: Airline & Immigration: Airlines and immigration officers validate travel documents at the gate or border, not just the visa. That’s where the rejection happens.

The Saudi Embassy in Ottawa confirming RTDs are not accepted aligns with long-standing policy — unfortunately, a system-level oversight can still allow a visa to be issued mistakenly.

Why the Airline Denied Boarding

Airlines are legally responsible for any passenger they carry without proper documentation — they can be fined or penalized if they transport someone who gets refused entry. So:

• Even with a valid tourist visa,
• Holding an RTD,
• And being from a restricted country during Hajj season,

...they’d likely be denied boarding or entry — and the airline would be following government immigration rules, not acting arbitrarily.