As the Hajj pilgrimage approaches, Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the issuance of specific visas for citizens from 14 countries, such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The prohibition on Umrah, as well as business and family visit visas, will remain in place until approximately mid-June, coinciding with the end of the pilgrimage to Makkah.
The prohibition affects 14 countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
The action was supposedly implemented to deter people from attempting to perform Hajj without the necessary registration. However, people with Umrah visas are still permitted to enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, as reported by Pakistan’s ARY, citing Saudi officials.
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Bans imposed to stop illegal stay in the country
The reports said that the ban was required because numerous foreign nationals have previously entered the country on Umrah or visit visas and subsequently overstayed unlawfully to attend the Hajj without proper authorization, resulting in overcrowding and extreme heat. In a similar incident during the Hajj in 2024, at least 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives.
The kingdom implements a quota system that assigns certain Hajj slots to every nation to control the number of pilgrims. Individuals engaging in the Hajj unlawfully circumvent this system.
Another factor contributing to the decision was unlawful employment. Officials reported that foreigners holding business or family visas participated in unauthorized employment in Saudi Arabia, breaching visa regulations and creating disturbances in the labor market.
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‘Not concerned with diplomatic issues’: Saudi Ministry of Hajj
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that the decision is not related to diplomatic issues and was made solely for logistical purposes to provide a safer and more organized pilgrimage experience.
Reports indicated that officials have requested the affected travelers to adhere to the updated regulations, as individuals discovered breaching the order could encounter a five-year ban on future entries.
In the meantime, diplomatic visas, residency permits, and visas specific to the Hajj are not impacted by this change. The Hajj season of 2025 is scheduled for June 4 to June 9.
