Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to citizens from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, according to media reports.
The suspension will take effect from April 13 and remain in place until mid-June, covering the Hajj period.
The affected visa categories include Umrah visas, Business visas, and Family Visit visas. Saudi authorities have implemented the measure to prevent unauthorized participation in the Hajj pilgrimage, amid reports that many foreign nationals had entered the country on non-Hajj visas and overstayed to perform Hajj without proper authorization.
Under the new restrictions, foreign nationals will be allowed to apply for Umrah visas only until April 13. No new Umrah visas will be issued after this date until the conclusion of the Hajj.
The 14 countries impacted by the new travel policy are: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the pilgrimage. Its rituals commemorate the trials of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail, Ismail’s mother Hajar, and the Prophet Muhammad, as described in the Quran.
In 2024, over 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj, including more than 1.6 million international pilgrims from 22 countries and approximately 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to Saudi Hajj authorities.
