Saudi Arabia has announced a major change in its visa policy, restricting travelers from 14 countries to single-entry visas. Effective February 1, 2025, the decision aims to prevent unauthorized Hajj pilgrims from entering the country on long-term visit visas.
Who is affected?
The new regulation affects travelers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. The government has indefinitely revoked the one-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, and family visits for nationals of these countries.
Key changes in the visa policy
Under the revised rules, Saudi officials clarified that multiple-entry visas were being misused.
Some travelers entered the country on long-term visas but remained illegally for work or performed Hajj without proper authorization.
Saudi authorities tightly control the Hajj, allocating a pilgrimage quota to each nation. Overcrowding has resulted from numerous tourists circumventing these limits by using long-term visas.
The issue became especially serious in 2024, when over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Authorities believe unregistered pilgrims contributed to the crisis, highlighting the need for tighter visa controls.
The government hopes to ensure that only authorised pilgrims perform the Hajj by restricting travel to single-entry visas, lowering the hazards connected with unapproved attendance.Officials have described the suspension of multiple-entry visas as a temporary measure. However, no timeline has been given for its review. The government will monitor the impact of the policy before deciding on further actions.
What travellers need to know
Travellers intending to visit Saudi Arabia should apply for single-entry visas well ahead of time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasised the importance of adhering to the latest visa regulations to prevent penalties or travel disruptions.Travellers from the impacted nations must make sure they comply with Saudi Arabia’s stricter immigration laws in order to prevent issues when they travel or remain there.
Source: TimesOfIndia
