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.
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Under the revised rules:
- Visitors from the 14 affected countries can only apply for single-entry visas.
- The visa will be valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days.
- Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected.
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 stated that the suspension of multiple-entry visas is a temporary measure, but no timeline has been provided for its review. The government plans to assess the policy’s impact before determining any further actions.
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Travelers planning a trip to Saudi Arabia should apply for single-entry visas well in advance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed the need to comply with the latest visa regulations to avoid penalties or travel interruptions.
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.
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