Saudi Arabia has temporarily stopped issuing certain visas to 14 countries, including Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, ahead of the upcoming Hajj season. This suspension affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas and is expected to stay in place until mid-June.
The decision was made to help control the large number of people entering the country during this busy time. In recent years, some travelers used these visa types to take part in Hajj without proper permission or to seek work illegally. This has caused overcrowding and created problems in local job markets.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the move is meant to improve safety and make sure travel is better organized during the Hajj season. They also want to make sure that pilgrims travel through the proper channels and avoid putting extra pressure on services and resources during this holy time.
Travelers from the affected countries are advised not to try to bypass the rules. Anyone caught breaking the new guidelines could face serious consequences, including being banned from entering Saudi Arabia for five years.
However, this visa ban is only temporary. Saudi officials have confirmed that regular visa services will start again after mid-June, once the Hajj season is over. People planning to travel after that time can apply as usual.
This temporary measure is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to improve crowd management and security during major religious events. It also supports the country’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to modernize travel systems while keeping religious traditions safe and respectful.
