NEW DELHI, April 8 – Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of select visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage set for June 4–9, 2025.
The ban, effective until mid-June, applies to Umrah, business, and family visit visas. According to Saudi authorities, the measure was introduced to prevent unauthorized individuals from attempting to participate in Hajj without proper registration. The affected countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
Officials said the decision was based on previous instances where foreign nationals entered the Kingdom on non-Hajj visas and remained illegally to perform the pilgrimage, contributing to overcrowding and raising safety concerns. During the 2024 Hajj season, at least 1,200 pilgrims reportedly died due to extreme heat and congestion.
While the suspension restricts new entries under the affected visa categories, individuals already holding Umrah visas are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, according to Pakistani broadcaster ARY, citing Saudi sources.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed that the move was a logistical necessity, not linked to diplomatic issues, aimed at ensuring better organization and safety during the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia maintains a strict quota system to regulate pilgrim numbers by country.
In addition to unauthorized Hajj participation, authorities cited illegal employment as another factor behind the suspension. Some visitors entering on business or family visas were found to be working in violation of local labor laws, officials said. The government warned that individuals violating the temporary restrictions could face penalties, including a five-year entry ban. Diplomatic visa holders, residents, and those with official Hajj visas remain unaffected by the measure.
