Saudi Arabia Suspended Visas For India and 13 Other Countries
Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension on issuing new short-term visas. This suspension applies to India and 13 other countries.
As the Hajj season is coming close, Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension on issuing new short-term visas from 13th April 2025. This is being done to manage the big crowds and ensure safe travel during the Hajj pilgrimage.
The suspension includes business visit visas (single- and multiple-entry), e-tourist visas, and family visit visas. It applies to 14 countries, including India, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya.
The suspension is expected to continue till mid-June 2025, after the Hajj pilgrimage ends.
Hajj is an important pilgrimage that every Muslim should perform at least once in their lifetime if they are able. It takes place every year in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and includes special rituals on certain days.
On the other hand, Umrah is a smaller pilgrimage, which is not compulsory and can be done any time in the year.
To help pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has launched a Digital Hajj and Umrah guide in 16 languages, giving clear rules to follow.
Saudi Arabia also shared new rules for Umrah travel. The last date to apply for an Umrah visa was 13th April 2025, and no new Umrah visas will be given until the Hajj season is over.
Reports also say that Saudi Arabia has decided not to issue Hajj visas for children under 12 years.
Following this, the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) cancelled applications of 291 children under 12 who had applied to travel with their parents.
The HCoI said that the money paid by the parents for their children will be refunded. Parents can either continue their Hajj journey without their children or cancel their full booking through the Haj Committee website.
Saudi authorities have also made it compulsory that only visitors with valid Hajj permits can stay in hotels during the Hajj season. Work and residency permit holders are not allowed without a Hajj permit.
Why is India on the list?
India was added to the list because some people misused their visas in the past. They entered Saudi Arabia using Umrah or visit visas and stayed beyond their allowed time to join the Hajj without proper permission.
Saudi Arabia has a quota system that limits the number of pilgrims from each country, and by doing this, the system was getting disturbed.
Last year, in Hajj 2024, many people reportedly entered unofficially, leading to serious crowding and a tragic stampede that killed over 1,200 pilgrims.
Officials said that those without official registration do not have proper places to stay, transport, or medical help, creating big safety problems.
This year, to avoid such tragedies, Saudi Arabia is taking strong steps.
Only those who are officially registered can continue their Hajj plans. Visas for residents, government officials, and official Hajj visas are still valid.
Authorities have also warned that anyone performing Hajj without the right permit or overstaying their visa may face a 5-year ban from Saudi Arabia and a fine of SAR 10,000.
Saudi Arabia has again reminded all pilgrims to follow proper rules and get the right visas for religious travel.
They have also warned that legal action will be taken against anyone who breaks these rules.
Every year, thousands of people who cannot afford the high cost of official Hajj permits try to perform Hajj through unofficial ways.
Over the years, Hajj has sadly seen many tragic events, including fires and stampedes. One of the worst tragedies happened in 2015, when about 2,300 people died during a stampede in Mina.
This temporary visa suspension also comes after Saudi Arabia stopped giving one-year multiple-entry visas earlier this year.
In February 2025, travel from the same 14 countries was limited to single-entry visas valid for only 30 days.
