Land border crossing queries (risk considerations and potential next steps)
Following our earlier correspondence on escalating tensions in the Middle East, we are issuing this follow-up note to provide additional detail in response to client questions about land border crossings.
The situation remains highly dynamic, with ongoing security developments, evolving airspace restrictions, flight disruptions, and changing government travel advisories across the region.
This note shares high-level risk considerations and indicative information for situational awareness. It is not intended to recommend or encourage overland travel. Any movement should only be considered where necessary, lawful, and safe, and only after checking current official guidance and route status.
General guidance
Many governments continue to advise nationals in the region to:
This remains the baseline position for many travelers, including those who may be unexpectedly stranded while traveling in the region for tourism or short-term business purposes. There may be planned evacuations by governments of other countries; however, reports on this are yet to be confirmed.
Travel by air (where available)
Airspace restrictions continue to affect much of the region, although some routes may be operating intermittently in certain locations. As availability remains highly changeable, travelers should:
Land border crossing queries (risk considerations only)
Given the disruption to air travel in parts of the region, several clients have asked about land border crossings as part of contingency planning. In response, we are sharing general considerations and currently available indicative information.
The information below is provided for situational awareness only and should not be treated as a recommendation to travel by land. Border conditions, entry practices, and security considerations may change at short notice.
Where movement is being assessed, decisions should consider:
Travelers should expect heavy traffic, delays, and rapidly changing conditions at roads, border crossings, and transport hubs.
In particular, delays and processing times at land borders may fluctuate significantly with little or no warning (for example, wait times may increase from approximately two hours to seven hours or even more). In addition, border authorities may change processing or admission practices at short notice, including differences in treatment based on nationality, passport type, visa status, or the specific border crossing. As a result, even where a route appears operational, travelers may experience prolonged delays or may not ultimately be permitted to cross.
Indicative border status information (for situational awareness only; subject to change)
It is advised to adhere to official government notices and directions regarding travel. Border considerations may change at short notice.
| Border route | Indicative position (subject to official confirmation) | Risk/verification considerations |
| Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain → Saudi Arabia | Operational at present, subject to change | Travelers should verify border status, safety conditions, and whether their visa permits land entry before any movement is considered. |
| UAE → Oman | Operational at present, subject to change | Travelers should verify border status, safety conditions, and whether their visa permits land entry before any movement is considered. |
| Iran → Turkey | Reported as operational in some instances, with restrictions/delays reported in practice | Conditions may vary by crossing and nationality. Reports indicate tighter checks and possible restrictions affecting some travelers. Consular coordination has been recommended in some cases. The specific crossing and current official guidance should be confirmed before travel is considered. |
| Iraq → Turkey | Operational status may be unclear at short notice | Border-area advisory risk remains elevated in some areas. Even where a route is technically open, security conditions may make travel inadvisable. Official confirmation should be obtained before any movement is considered. |
Potential next steps for employers
We recommend employers take the following actions for impacted employee populations and travelers:
Potential next steps for travelers (where movement is being assessed)
Travelers should:
Ongoing support and real-time updates
We continue to monitor developments closely and will share further updates as official guidance evolves.
For the latest updates and practical guidance, please refer to:
If you require access to the dashboard, please email crisis_support@vialto.com and include:
For immediate assistance or case-specific support, please contact our Crisis Support team at crisis_support@vialto.com, or your usual Vialto contact.
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Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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