Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
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Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”
The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks, Arab News reports.
Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”
The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.”
It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”
The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
Despite the suspension, ARY News reported that Umrah visa holders will be allowed to enter the Kingdom until 13 April. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until mid-June, when the pilgrimage concludes.
During the 2024 Hajj season, at least 1,301 pilgrims died—most from heat-related causes. A large proportion of the deceased did not hold official Hajj permits.
Saudi authorities reported that approximately 400,000 unregistered pilgrims participated in the Hajj last year, with a significant number coming from Egypt.
Each participating country is allocated a limited number of Hajj permits under a quota system distributed by lottery. However, due to the high cost of official packages, many people seek alternative, unauthorised routes.
Unregistered pilgrims are typically denied access to essential facilities, such as air-conditioned tents, hospitals, and ambulance services, making the physically demanding journey far more hazardous.
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