In a significant policy move ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India. The suspension is part of broader efforts by Saudi authorities to regulate the influx of visitors during the critical Hajj season and ensure smoother crowd management.
The affected countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen. This decision comes amid growing concerns over unregistered pilgrims entering the kingdom under non-Hajj visas and overstaying to participate in the pilgrimage without official approval.
The Saudi government has set April 13, 2025, as the last day for accepting Umrah visa applications from these nations. The suspension is expected to remain in effect until mid-June, by which time the Hajj pilgrimage would have concluded.
The move is largely seen as a precautionary step following the 2024 Hajj tragedy, where over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Many of those affected had entered the country through unofficial channels and lacked access to proper accommodations and medical care.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has directed officials to implement stricter checks to prevent unauthorized pilgrims. Individuals caught violating Hajj visa norms could face a five-year entry ban into Saudi Arabia.
For India specifically, officials cited multiple instances of pilgrims misusing visit and Umrah visas to unofficially participate in the Hajj bypassing the official quota system.
While the current visa suspension applies to only selected categories, those holding diplomatic, residency, and officially sanctioned Hajj visas will not be affected. The kingdom is also expected to implement stricter screening and enforcement measures at entry points to prevent unauthorized pilgrimages.
The suspension is being implemented purely on operational and safety grounds, as Saudi Arabia prepares to host one of the world’s largest religious gatherings under increasingly challenging climatic and logistical conditions.
