Saudi Arabia Temporarily Bans Visas For India, 13 Other Countries. Know Why

<p>Saudi Arabia has suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This temporary ban will stay in place until mid-June, aligning with the conclusion of the Hajj season.</p>
<p>The affected countries include Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.</p>
<p>However, individuals who already possess valid Umrah visas can still enter the Kingdom until April 13, according to a report by Pakistan&rsquo;s ARY News, citing Saudi authorities.</p>
<p>The decision has been made to ease crowding ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.</p>
<p>Officials say the decision is part of a logistical strategy to address overcrowding and safety challenges during one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. During the 2024 Hajj, more than 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives, with many of them being unregistered attendees who lacked access to essential services such as shelter, healthcare, and transport.</p>
<p>The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that the suspension is strictly a precautionary measure to ensure an orderly pilgrimage and is not politically motivated. Visas related to Hajj, diplomatic travel, and residency remain unaffected, allowing officially registered pilgrims to proceed with their plans.</p>
<p>Additionally, Saudi Arabia has also scrapped one-year multiple-entry visas for now and will limit travel from the 14 nations to single-entry, 30-day visas starting February 2025.</p>