Saudi Arabia has temporarily stopped issuing certain visas to people from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, due to safety concerns surrounding the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage
The ban, which affects Umrah visas, business visit visas, and family visit visas, will be in place until mid-June.
The decision aims to prevent individuals from attempting to perform Hajj without proper registration.
Saudi authorities have reported that many foreign nationals have been entering the country on Umrah or visit visas and then overstaying illegally to participate in Hajj without official authorization.
The 14 countries impacted by this ban are:
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Jordan
- Algeria
- Sudan
- Ethiopia
- Tunisia
- Yemen
This measure follows a tragic incident in 2024, where over 1,000 people lost their lives during Hajj, many of whom were unauthorized pilgrims.
End
