Why Saudi Arabia Temporarily Banned Visas For India, 13 Other Countries

Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, ahead of the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage. The suspension, effective until mid-June, aligns with the annual pilgrimage to Makkah and aims to curb unauthorized participation in the religious event.

Why the Visa Suspension?
Saudi authorities cited concerns over individuals exploiting Umrah or tourist visas to illegally stay in the country and perform Hajj without official permits. This practice has previously led to overcrowding and safety risks, including a deadly 2024 incident where over 1,200 pilgrims perished due to extreme heat. The kingdom’s quota system, which allocates fixed Hajj slots to each country, is often bypassed by such unauthorized pilgrims.

Additionally, the ban addresses labor market violations, as foreigners on business or family visas have reportedly engaged in illegal employment, disrupting local regulations.

Quotas and Compliance
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that the decision is purely logistical, not diplomatic, to ensure orderly pilgrim management. Diplomatic visas, residency permits, and official Hajj visas remain unaffected. Violators of the temporary ban risk a five-year entry restriction, according to reports from Pakistan’s ARY News, which quoted Saudi officials.

Hajj 2025 is scheduled for June 4–9, with the visa suspension expected to lift shortly after the pilgrimage concludes.