Visa freeze: Saudi Arabia suspends entry for 14 nations

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries.

According to a report in the Times of India, the ban will be in effect until mid-June, coinciding with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The decision to implement the suspension was made to address overcrowding and safety concerns during Hajj. April 13 will be the last day for the issuance of Umrah visas, according to Saudi authorities. No new visas will be granted to nationals of the countries on the banned list until after the conclusion of Hajj.

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The full list of the 14 countries affected by the visa suspension includes: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

India is on the list to prevent unauthorised participation in Hajj. Reports indicate that some individuals from India, as well as other banned countries, have entered Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas or other visas and overstayed to perform Hajj without registering through official channels.

This process bypasses the quota system implemented by Saudi Arabia, which allocates specific Hajj slots to each country to regulate the number of pilgrims.

Sources report that these unregistered participants are responsible for overcrowding and the intense heat that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 pilgrims during Hajj 2024. Often, unregistered pilgrims lack access to basic amenities such as lodging, transportation, and healthcare, worsening safety and logistical concerns. This is a key reason why officials are tightening visa regulations to prevent further tragedies.