DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has announced the temporary suspension of short-term visa issuance for citizens of 14 countries – including India and Pakistan – in a sweeping move to regulate travel ahead of Hajj 2025, scheduled for June 4 to 9.
The suspension includes single- and multiple-entry business visit visas, tourist e-visas, and family visit visas.
The moratorium will take effect on April 13, 2025, and applies to nationals from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya. According to Saudi authorities, individuals from these countries who already hold valid visas may still enter the Kingdom before April 13 but must exit by April 29. Violations could result in a five-year entry ban.
This pre-Hajj restriction follows reports of visa misuse and overcrowding in previous years. During Hajj 2024, more than 1,200 pilgrims reportedly died due to extreme heat and lack of access to basic services, with a significant number identified as unregistered or unauthorised participants.
Crackdown on visa misuse
Officials say the current visa freeze stems from concerns over pilgrims entering on non-Hajj-specific visas, including Umrah, tourist, and business categories. These individuals bypass official Hajj registration, evading the quota system which allocates a fixed number of Hajj slots to each country.
“The decision was based on the lessons from last year’s crisis,” said Basil Al Sisi of Egypt’s Chamber of Tourism Companies in a televised statement. Saudi officials have identified specific countries, including India and Pakistan, where individuals were found performing Hajj without approval or necessary arrangements.
To avoid a repeat of such tragedies, Saudi Arabia has tightened visa regulations in advance. Umrah visas will no longer be issued after April 13 and will remain suspended until after the Hajj season ends in mid-June 2025. Previously issued one-year multiple-entry visit visas have also been indefinitely suspended, with travel now restricted to single-entry visas valid for just 30 days.
Safety and logistics
According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the move is purely logistical and is intended to ensure the safety of pilgrims. It is not linked to diplomatic relations with the affected countries. The ban does not apply to residents of Saudi Arabia, Hajj-specific visa holders, or those travelling on diplomatic visas.
Saudi authorities stress that pilgrims must enter under the proper Hajj visa. Unregistered pilgrims often lack access to official transportation, medical services, and accommodation – significantly increasing risks. The government aims to prevent system abuse that overwhelms infrastructure during the annual pilgrimage.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that Saudi missions abroad have been instructed to halt short-term visa processing for nationals from the 14 countries with immediate effect. In February 2025, Saudi Arabia had already scaled down travel privileges for these nations, replacing one-year multiple-entry visas with short-term alternatives.
Affected countries have begun issuing travel advisories. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs are expected to coordinate with Saudi officials to ensure compliance and protect their citizens from visa-related violations.
This marks one of the strictest pre-Hajj policy implementations in recent years, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to manage the pilgrimage effectively and avert crises stemming from overcrowding and unauthorised access.