Here's why Saudi Arabia suspended visas for India & 13 other countries ahead of Hajj

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended visas for citizens from India and 13 other countries ahead of the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage. This suspension affects Umrah, business visas, and family visit visas, and will be in place until mid-June 2025, after the Hajj season ends.

According to reports, the last date to issue these visas is 13 April 2025. The move aims to control the crowd and improve safety during the Hajj, especially after the tragic events during Hajj 2024, which saw the loss of over 1,200 lives due to extreme heat and overcrowding.

Why Was India Included in the Visa Ban?

The Saudi authorities included India in this visa suspension due to reported misuse of visas. Some individuals from India allegedly entered the Kingdom using Umrah or business visas and then attempted to perform Hajj without proper registration. These actions bypass the official Hajj visa system and the strict quota set for each country.

By entering on the wrong type of visa and overstaying, these unauthorised pilgrims added to the overcrowding, lacked essential services like medical care and accommodation, and posed major safety concerns. This situation contributed significantly to the chaos during Hajj 2024.

List of Affected Countries

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries | Credit: BCCL

The 14 countries currently impacted by this visa suspension are:

India

Algeria

Bangladesh

Egypt

Ethiopia

Indonesia

Iraq

Jordan

Morocco

Nigeria

Pakistan

Sudan

Tunisia

Yemen

While Morocco's inclusion has not been confirmed by all sources, it is frequently mentioned as the 14th country affected by this decision.

Official Statement: Safety Comes First

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that this visa suspension is purely a logistical measure. The decision is not linked to any diplomatic issue with India or the other country. The main aim is to ensure a safe and well-organised pilgrimage for everyone performing Hajj.

Those with valid Hajj visas, residency permits, or diplomatic visas are not affected by the ban. However, any person caught performing Hajj without authorisation or overstaying their visa may face a five-year ban from entering Saudi Arabia.

Previous Visa Restrictions

This recent suspension follows an earlier move in February 2025, when Saudi Arabia halted one-year multiple-entry visas for the same 14 countries. Instead, travellers were only allowed 30-day single-entry visas, making it harder for unauthorised pilgrims to stay longer than permitted.

When Will the Visas Resume?

The Umrah, business, and family visit visas are expected to be issued again after mid-June 2025, once the Hajj season concludes. This gap allows the Saudi government to manage the pilgrim flow, provide adequate services, and avoid another tragedy like Hajj 2024.

Why This Step Was Necessary

With Hajj 2025 scheduled between June 4 and June 9, the temporary visa suspension is a step towards better crowd management. Authorities are particularly focused on stopping unauthorised Hajj attempts that disrupt the strict quota system and stretch resources beyond capacity.

The misuse of Umrah and business visas by pilgrims attempting to perform Hajj without approval not only breaks the rules but also creates unsafe conditions for everyone involved.

This temporary visa suspension by Saudi Arabia serves as a strong reminder that the Hajj pilgrimage must be performed under strict guidelines. By suspending visas for India and 13 other countries, the Kingdom aims to ensure that the pilgrimage is safe, secure, and well-regulated.

Pilgrims from India and other affected countries are advised to follow official channels and obtain proper Hajj visas to avoid any penalties or bans in the future.