Saudi Arabia restricts travelers from 14 nations to single-entry visas to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrims
Saudi Arabia has announced a significant visa policy change affecting travelers from 14 countries, including India. The government will now issue only single-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits, suspending the previous one-year multiple-entry visas indefinitely.
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The regulation affects travelers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Key Changes
- Only single-entry visas will be issued.
- Each visa will be valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days.
- Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unchanged.
- Saudi officials have attributed the policy revision to the misuse of multiple-entry visas. According to the government, some travelers entered the country on long-term visas but remained illegally for work or performed Hajj without appropriate authorization.
Hajj Overcrowding Concerns
Saudi Arabia tightly controls the annual Hajj pilgrimage, allocating specific quotas to each nation. The influx of unauthorized pilgrims has strained the system, leading to severe overcrowding.
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The situation reached a crisis point in 2024 when over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Authorities believe the presence of unregistered pilgrims significantly contributed to the tragedy. The policy
