Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspends Visas for 14 Countries, Including India, to Ensure Hajj Safety
In a move aimed at ensuring the safety and management of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The decision is effective immediately and will remain in place until mid-June 2025, coinciding with the completion of the Hajj season.
The primary goal of this suspension is to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the Kingdom under non-Hajj visas and subsequently attempting to perform the pilgrimage without proper registration. Such unauthorized participation in previous years has led to overcrowding and raised significant safety concerns, particularly during extreme weather conditions.
Saudi authorities have reported that many individuals entered the country on Umrah or visit visas and overstayed to join the Hajj without fulfilling the official requirements. This created operational challenges and posed risks to the safety of both authorized pilgrims and service personnel.
To address this, the Kingdom has announced that the final date for issuing Umrah visas to foreign nationals will be April 13, 2025. After this date, no new Umrah or visit visas will be issued until the end of the Hajj season.
The 14 countries impacted by the suspension include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and one other unnamed nation. Authorities emphasized that this is a temporary precaution to improve the safety and logistics of Hajj, particularly in light of last year’s tragic incidents, where over 1,000 unauthorized pilgrims reportedly died due to heat-related conditions and lack of proper accommodation.
Saudi leadership has reiterated its commitment to conducting a safe and spiritually enriching Hajj. Citizens from the affected nations have been advised to follow official Hajj registration channels and avoid attempting to bypass the system through alternate visa routes.
The move underscores the growing focus on regulated pilgrimage management, ensuring that only registered and properly accommodated individuals take part in one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
