Updated April 14, 2026 

These FAQs cover a range of topics relevant to our community. These will be updated as the situation evolves.

General Guidance

Shelter-in-Place Guidance
Some governments have issued shelter-in-place guidance for their nationals in the region. For KAUST's expat community, where home and workplace are uniquely one and the same, continuing your normal daily life on campus remains a safe and practical response. Stay home if escalation occurs; your home is your shelter. If you are asked to shelter-in-place, please follow these basic steps: stay indoors, preferably in an interior room on an upper floor with no or few windows; close all doors and windows, switch off ventilation if you can, and move to the inner part of the room away from exterior walls and glass; stay tuned to KAUST alerts, email, and official channels for updates and do not leave or drive unless specifically instructed to evacuate. 
For those of you who are commuting from Jeddah you will have noticed increased security at the gate. Security inspections now include physical vehicle checks, trunk inspections, and occasional canine screening under National Guard oversight. These measures may cause delays but are precautionary and aligned with the national authority’s guidance. It is not an escalation of the campus security status; it is a precautionary measure. Access to the community and out of the community remains safe and KAUST commuter buses are operating normally and are safe. 

Travel, Leave & Work Arrangements 

The guidance below outlines arrangements for employees who are currently travelling or planning to travel, and what to expect should circumstances change. 

Employee Business Travel

Is business travel currently permitted?

Faculty and staff can submit a business case for attendance at conferences and events to their Dean or Vice President for review and approval. Please note that only travel to destinations outside of, and not transiting through, designated conflict zones will be considered.

If your return is disrupted and this is confirmed by the University's Travel Agent (Kanoo), your university-arranged accommodation and per diem will continue in accordance with policy. Please work with Kanoo to find alternative routes, stay in regular contact with your Line Manager, keep HR informed of booking updates, and follow airline and embassy guidance.

Employee Personal & Annual Leave

Is it safe to travel?
If flights are operating and no official restrictions affect your route; it is your decision to travel. Please be aware that should the situation change while you are away, and KAUST continues to operate normally, any inability to return will be your responsibility to manage. 
Yes. If flights are operating and there are no official restrictions on your route, you are expected to return as planned. 
You may request remote work (subject to manager approval) or extend your annual leave through the normal HR process. Please refer to the HR leave policies for more information.  
If you voluntarily delay your return, you must apply for annual leave or obtain remote work approval. Remote work is not automatic and depends on operational needs. 
If KAUST is operating normally and both your remote work and annual leave entitlements have been exhausted, a leave of absence without pay may be required. We encourage you to contact the HR Helpdesk as early as possible. 

Employees Outside the Kingdom

I cannot confirm a return date. What should I do?
Please provide regular updates to your Line Manager and apply for remote work if you are able to perform your duties, or annual leave where remote work is not feasible. If both are exhausted, HR and your department will review the situation jointly in line with existing policy. A leave of absence without pay may be required.

Student Business Travel

Is business travel currently permitted?
Students required to undertake essential business travel must obtain prior approval from both their Dean and the Vice President for Education and Advancement (VPEA), where VPEA approvals are coordinated through the Registrar’s Office.

As a general guideline, essential travel may include travel that is academically necessary, time-sensitive, or important to a student’s academic progression, research responsibilities, University representation, or participation in activities that cannot reasonably be achieved through remote means.

Please note that only travel to destinations outside of, and not transiting through, designated conflict zones will be considered.

For further information regarding essential business travel please contact the Registrar registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa
Please follow your airline’s guidance and rebook/reschedule your trip accordingly. Share the updated travel dates with your GPSA and PI, where relevant. If your absence extends beyond the approved period, you may be required to submit an annual/general leave request or arrange remote work in accordance with the standard process. For further guidance, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa 

Student Personal & Annual Leave

Is it safe to travel?
If flights are operating and no official restrictions affect your route; it is your decision to travel. Please be aware that should the situation change while you are away, and KAUST continues to operate normally, any inability to return will be your responsibility to manage.  
Yes. If flights are operating and there are no official restrictions on your route, you are expected to return as planned. 
Please follow your airline’s guidance and rebook/reschedule your trip accordingly. Share the updated travel dates with your GPSA and/or PI. If your absence extends beyond the approved period, you may be required to submit an annual/general leave request or arrange remote work in accordance with the standard process. For further guidance, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa 
If you voluntarily delay your return, you must apply for annual leave or obtain remote work approval. Remote work is not automatic, and permission should not be assumed.
Eligibility for stipends will be determined based on applicable leave. You should contact the Register’s Office at registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa regarding leave. 
If KAUST is operating normally and both your remote work and annual leave entitlements have been exhausted, a leave of absence without pay may be required. We encourage you to contact your GPSA and/or PI as early as possible to discuss.
The Traveling Scholar or Internship extension process is not intended for travel-related situations. For further guidance, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa. 
Please contact your PI to obtain approval. If approved, you may be required to submit a Time-in-Lieu request through the portal and ensure your PI approves the request in the system. For further guidance, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa. 
We will continue to exit students according to schedule but are monitoring flights carefully and will provide assistance to individuals due to travel where needed.

University spring semester exams

Which assessments are affected by this change?

Only sit-in, proctored examinations are affected. Other assessments — including projects, coursework, presentations, oral exams, and online assessments — will continue as scheduled and may extend beyond 30 April, where appropriate.

Where appropriate, faculty may adjust examination format, scope, or structure in response to the revised timeline. Any course-specific changes will be communicated directly by instructors.

Students are expected to prepare for final examinations according to the revised schedule, remain engaged in their courses, complete all academic requirements, and follow official University communications. Attendance and participation should continue as scheduled until the examination period begins.

Grading timelines and future academic terms remain unchanged. The adjustment is limited to final examinations. If circumstances require a transition to remote teaching, the University will provide further guidance.

The University has advanced the Spring Semester final examination period to 27–30 April. All in-person, proctored final examinations will be conducted within this revised window as a precautionary academic continuity measure.

No. The semester duration remains unchanged. Lectures and teaching activities will be suspended during the examination period only and will resume afterward for courses with remaining requirements. Completion of final exams does not necessarily indicate the end of all course-related work.

Employee and Student Iqama & Exit/Re-Entry Visas

Am I responsible for my Iqama and visa validity while outside the Kingdom?

Yes. You remain responsible for monitoring expiry dates and should notify Government Affairs (GA) immediately if you anticipate any issues so they can assist.  

Government Affairs Emergency Number: 24/7 hotline at +966 54 470 1111 

KAUST School 

My child attends KAUST School and I cannot return. What are the schooling options?
KAUST School is currently operating face-to-face with no remote schooling available. Please factor this into your travel planning and reach out directly to the division principal if you expect your child will miss school. 

Staying Informed 

We understand that many of you may be feeling concerned, and we recognize that the vast amount of information being broadcast and shared can make it difficult to maintain perspective. We would encourage you to seek information only from official and verified sources, including Saudi government announcements, your own government's travel advisories, and official KAUST communications. Unverified reports and informal messaging should not be treated as guidance. 

Where should I get official information?
Please rely only on verified sources: Saudi government announcements, the Civil Aviation Authority, airline communications, your home country’s official government advice, and official KAUST communications. Unverified social media or informal messaging should not be treated as guidance.
Yes, you should download the KAUSTCentral app and log in with your KAUST credentials or a KAUSTCentral Login linked to your KAUST ID to ensure you can receive emergency notifications. 
 
Emergency notifications appear as a full-screen pop-up message with a distinct sound that you must acknowledge before it closes, and this feature is reserved strictly for true emergencies. 
 
Enable “Critical Alerts” or emergency notifications in your iOS or Android settings following the provided instructions so that emergency pop-ups and sounds can reach you even if your phone is muted or in Do Not Disturb
Yes, you can tap the 911 icon at the top right of any KAUSTCentral screen to call KAUST 911 directly or dial +966 12 808 0911 from your mobile phone. Please call for emergency purposes only.   
Keep copies (paper or digital) of your passport, Iqama, KAUST ID, health insurance details, emergency contacts, and any critical medical information in a safe and quickly accessible place at home and in the cloud. 
 
The KAUSTCentral app provides the Emergency Action Guide for what to do in specific hazards, a linked Useful Contact List with tap-to-call numbers, and an Emergency Kit checklist for field trips and remote travel. Additional resources are available on the HSE website: http://hse.kaust.edu.sa

How to Seek Support 

Student Support

I am feeling overwhelmed by the current situation. Who can I talk to?

It is understandable that given recent events some students will be concerned. If you would like Counselling support from the University, please contact us at scs@kaust.edu.sa. If you would prefer to use an independent service or cannot currently access on campus then please contact us at the same address and we will refer you to ICAS, an independent worldwide service. 

For any assistance needed, please contact the relevant team:
 
Student 24/7 travel emergency:  +966 544701348
Student Counseling: scs@kaust.edu.sa
Registrar Helpdesk: registrarhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa

 

Please contact the Student Helpdesk at schelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa or call +966 12 808 3412 
Community, Employee and Student Support 

If you need assistance with travel disruption, logistics, or HR matters, please contact the relevant team:

HR Helpdesk: hrhelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa

HR Phone: +966 (0) 12 808 2055 

HR 4/7 Mobile:  +966 54 470 0277 

Travel Office: +966 (0) 12 808 5444

Wellbeing (Lyra): KAUST code: KAUSTXICAS 

Government Affairs Emergency Number: 24/7 hotline at +966 54 470 1111