Saudi Arabia restricts e-transit visa access to 18 nations
Only select countries qualify for the e-stopover visa
DUBAI: In a significant policy shift, Saudi Arabia has narrowed the eligibility criteria for its electronic transit visa, commonly known as the e-stopover visa, to travellers from an exclusive list of 18 countries.
Official information obtained by Cairo 24 reveals that under this new regulation, the e-transit visa will now only be issued to passengers whose travel itineraries either originate from or are bound for nations classified as “Group A” by the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority.
This move is aimed at streamlining the visa process while ensuring that those who qualify have clearly defined travel patterns.
E-transit visa changes
The 18 countries included in this updated policy are Canada, the United States, Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, China (inclusive of Hong Kong and Macau), Malaysia, the Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and Mauritius. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to Cairo 24 that the e-stopover visa service will only cater to those whose flights either depart from or arrive at one of these specified nations. This regulatory change marks a strategic shift towards a more structured approach in managing international transit.
To qualify for the e-transit visa, travellers must possess a valid visa for at least one of the approved countries, demonstrating their compliance with the Kingdom’s updated visa regulations. Furthermore, they must have previously utilised this visa to enter the respective country, ensuring credibility in the visa application process. Saudi Arabian airlines also emphasised the necessity of meeting these requirements to enhance the integrity of the travel framework.
Pre-Hajj restrictions
In tandem with the e-transit visa changes, Saudi Arabia has also announced a temporary suspension of short-term visa issuance for citizens from 14 countries, including India and Pakistan. This sweeping decision is intended to regulate travel ahead of the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage scheduled for June 4 to 9. Effective from April 13, 2025, the suspension encompasses single- and multiple-entry business visit visas, tourist e-visas, and family visit visas. Nationals from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya are particularly affected by this moratorium.
Saudi authorities have stated that individuals from these countries holding valid visas may still enter the Kingdom before April 13, provided they exit by April 29. Any violations could lead to a five-year entry ban. This pre-Hajj restriction follows a concerning trend of visa misuse and overcrowding during previous Hajj seasons, which resulted in over 1,200 reported deaths during Hajj 2024 due to extreme heat and inadequate access to essential services. Many of the deceased were found to be unregistered or unauthorised participants, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.
The current visa freeze is rooted in concerns regarding pilgrims entering the Kingdom on non-Hajj-specific visas, including those for Umrah, tourism, and business, thereby evading the official Hajj registration process.
Moreover, previously issued one-year multiple-entry visit visas will be indefinitely halted, restricting travel to single-entry visas valid for just 30 days.