GUWAHATI: Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension of specific visa categories for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
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The suspension, which came into effect this month, will remain in place until mid-June. It applies to Umrah, business, and family visit visas, with the aim of curbing unauthorised Hajj participation and ensuring better logistical and security management during the pilgrimage.
The 14 countries affected by this suspension are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that the decision is not linked to diplomatic issues but is a precautionary step to safeguard the integrity of the pilgrimage and maintain order.
Until Sunday, April 13, travellers holding valid Umrah visas will still be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. However, no new Umrah, business, or family visit visas will be issued for citizens of the affected nations until after the Hajj season concludes in mid-June. Violations of the new rules may lead to penalties, including fines and a five-year entry ban. Diplomatic visas, residency permits, and officially sanctioned Hajj visas, however, remain unaffected by the suspension.
Hajj 2025 is scheduled to take place from June 4 to 9. Each year, the pilgrimage draws millions of Muslims to Mecca. Saudi Arabia has always operated a strict quota system to manage the number of pilgrims from each country.
However, in recent years, authorities have identified attempts to bypass this system, with some individuals entering on Umrah or tourist visas and overstaying to perform Hajj without official approval.
Such practices have also posed significant logistical challenges and safety concerns. During the 2024 Hajj, at least 1,200 pilgrims reportedly died due to overcrowding and extreme heat. In addition, instances of foreign nationals working illegally while holding business or family visit visas have additionally been reported, disrupting labour regulations within the kingdom.
