Updated: 9 April 2025, 02:58 pm
|||Ahead of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia has temporarily stopped issuing visas to citizens of 14 countries, including India and Pakistan, as reported by several news sources. This visa ban affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas, and will likely remain in place until mid-June 2025, after Hajj ends.
The purpose of the ban is to control overcrowding and prevent unregistered pilgrims from joining the Hajj, following last year’s tragic stampede. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi authorities are tightening visa rules to ensure safety and better organization.
The last day to apply for an Umrah visa is April 13, 2025. No new visas will be issued until after Hajj concludes. This decision has caused concern among many, especially in countries like India and Pakistan, which are directly affected by the ban.
Saudi Arabia visa ban in 2025: A complete list of countries that’ll be facing a temporary ban
The Saudi Arabia visa ban 2025 affects several countries, including:
| India | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Egypt | Indonesia |
| Iraq | Nigeria | Jordan | Algeria | Sudan |
| Ethiopia | Tunisia | Yemen | Morocco |
Which Saudi Arabia visas have been suspended?
Under the Saudi Arabia visa ban 2025, the following visa types have been temporarily suspended for citizens of 14 countries until after Hajj 2025:
- Business visit visa
- Family visit visa
This measure is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to control overcrowding and ensure safe pilgrimage conditions.
Unlike general visit visas, the Hajj Visa for Saudi Arabia is still being issued through official Hajj registration channels.
Why Saudi Arabia has banned visas for 14 countries –
- Prevent Unauthorized Hajj Participation: The suspension aims to deter individuals from entering Saudi Arabia on alternative visas and performing Hajj without proper registration, which has previously led to overcrowding and safety issues.
- Manage Overcrowding and Enhance Safety: By limiting the number of incoming visitors during the Hajj season, authorities seek to prevent incidents like the 2024 stampede that resulted in over 1,000 fatalities due to extreme heat and overcrowding.
- Prevent Visa Misuse and Illegal Employment: There have been instances where individuals used business or family visit visas to enter the Kingdom and then engaged in unauthorized work, violating visa conditions and disrupting the labor market.
Saudi officials emphasize that this measure is a logistical step to ensure a safer and better-organized pilgrimage and is not related to diplomatic issues. Residency permits such as the Saudi Iqama remain valid—learn more about the Saudi Iqama Renewal process.
For long-term residency options not affected by short-term bans, consider the Saudi Arabia Golden Visa.
Saudi Arabia Visa Ban 2025: Why is India on the list?
India was included in the visa suspension as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to curb unauthorized Hajj participation. Reports indicate that some individuals from India and other affected nations have entered Saudi Arabia on Umrah or visit visas and overstayed to perform Hajj without registering through official procedures. This practice circumvents the Kingdom’s quota system, which is designed to control the number of pilgrims each country can send.
When does the ban come into effect? By when will it last?
Saudi authorities have announced that April 13, 2025, is the final date to apply for Umrah visas before the suspension takes effect. The visa ban—which affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas—will remain in place until mid-June 2025, aligning with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. This timeframe has been set to ensure safety, and better coordination, and to prevent unauthorized participation in Hajj.
Explore the Types of Residences in Saudi Arabia and the Conditions for Each One to understand long-term stay options beyond the Hajj season.
What happened during Hajj in 2024?
The decision to suspend visas comes in the wake of the 2024 Hajj tragedy, where over 1,000 people lost their lives—many of whom were unauthorized pilgrims. Saudi authorities attributed the incident to overcrowding, extreme heat, and the presence of unregistered participants, which overwhelmed the system. As a result, the government believes that temporarily halting visa issuance for certain categories will help ensure a safer, more controlled Hajj pilgrimage in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Saudi Arabia suspend visas in 2025?
To prevent overcrowding and unregistered pilgrims during Hajj 2025.
2. Which visa types are affected by the ban?
Umrah, business, and family visit visas are temporarily suspended.
3. When does the visa ban start and end?
It starts before April 13, 2025, and lasts until mid-June 2025.
4. Is India included in the visa suspension?
Yes, India is one of 14 countries affected due to past visa misuse.
5. Does the ban affect official Hajj visas?
No, official Hajj visas and residency permits are not impacted.
