Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, effective until mid-June 2025, coinciding with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage season.

This decision, as per the reports, aims to address overcrowding and safety concerns during Hajj. The Saudi authorities have set April 13, 2025, as the last date for issuing Umrah visas, with no new visas of these types granted to nationals of the affected countries until after Hajj concludes.

The complete list of 14 countries impacted by this visa suspension, includes: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

India’s inclusion in this ban is linked to efforts by Saudi officials to prevent unauthorised participation in Hajj. According to reports, some individuals from India and other listed countries have entered Saudi Arabia on Umrah or visit visas and overstayed to perform Hajj without registering through official channels. This method bypasses the kingdom’s quota system, which allocates specific Hajj slots to each country to regulate the number of pilgrims.

According to sources, Saudi authorities blamed unregistered participants for the overcrowding and intense heat that killed over 1,200 pilgrims during the Hajj in 2024. These unapproved pilgrims frequently do not have access to basic amenities like lodging, transportation, and healthcare, which makes safety hazards and logistical difficulties worse.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, this action is a logistical response to guarantee a safer and better-organized pilgrimage and has nothing to do with diplomatic concerns. According to reports, registered pilgrims can continue as scheduled because diplomatic visas, residency permits, and visas particular to the Hajj are unaffected. Saudi authorities have also threatened to bar people from entering the country for five years if they undertake the Hajj without permission or remain longer than is permitted.

This ban on visas comes after Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended one-year multiple-entry visas indefinitely and restricted travel from these 14 countries to single-entry visas valid for 30 days in February 2025.According to reports, the current prohibition strengthens that policy and restricts access even further in advance of the Hajj 2025, which is set for June 4–9.

India is on the list due to documented cases of visa misuse by some nationals attempting unauthorized Hajj participation, a problem Saudi Arabia seeks to mitigate through this temporary visa suspension affecting 14 countries.

The complete list of the 14 countries affected by Saudi Arabia’s temporary visa ban, as reported by various reports. While some reports explicitly name 13 countries and confirm a total of 14, the 14th country has not been universally specified in all sources, but Morocco is frequently cited as the likely addition based on overlapping patterns.

(TOI)