Saudi Arabia Visa Ban Hajj 2025: India Pakistan Bangladesh Umrah Business Family Visits

7th April 2025, Kathmandu

Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary visa ban on citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as part of efforts to manage and ensure the safety of the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. The ban will particularly affect visas issued for the Umrah pilgrimage, business visits, and family reunions.

Saudi Arabia Visa Ban Hajj

Reason for the Visa Ban

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has stated that the decision was made to control the massive crowds expected during the Hajj season and to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The visa suspension is expected to remain in place until mid-June 2025, by which time the Hajj season is anticipated to conclude.

This measure follows a tragic incident during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, where over 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives due to overcrowding and logistical challenges. Many of the victims were unauthorized pilgrims, according to Saudi officials. To prevent a recurrence of such incidents, the government has focused on controlling Umrah visas to better manage the number of people entering the country.

Countries Affected by the Visa Ban

The following 14 countries are affected by the visa suspension:

India

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Ethiopia

Algeria

Indonesia

Iraq

Jordan

Nigeria

Egypt

Sudan

Tunisia

Yemen

Morocco

Saudi officials have confirmed that the suspension will apply to Umrah visas, business visit visas, and family visit visas. This decision is in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring orderly crowd control and the smooth execution of Hajj operations.

Impact on Pilgrims and Visitors

The temporary suspension of visas will not affect the Hajj pilgrimage itself, but it is aimed at limiting crowd congestion before and during the pilgrimage. Many pilgrims from the affected countries, particularly from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, often enter Saudi Arabia through Umrah or family visit visas, which have contributed to an increase in unauthorized participation in Hajj.

Authorities’ Strategy Moving Forward

In response to this, Saudi Arabia has set a deadline of April 13, 2025, as the last day to issue Umrah visas for pilgrims. This action is part of broader efforts to prevent overcrowding and ensure the safety of those attending the Hajj.

The temporary visa ban will be in effect until mid-June 2025, by which time the Hajj season will have ended. The Saudi government has emphasized that this measure is necessary to ensure the safety of pilgrims and to maintain control over the number of individuals coming into the country for religious visits.

Conclusion

This decision is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to improve the management of the Hajj pilgrimage, which sees millions of people traveling to Mecca every year. By limiting the number of unauthorized pilgrims and controlling visa issuance, Saudi authorities hope to prevent further tragedies and ensure that the sacred journey is as safe and organized as possible.

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