Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspends Visa Services for 14 Countries Including India and Pakistan Ahead of Hajj 2025

Riyadh, April 7 In a significant move ahead of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia has suspended visa issuance for 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and several African nations. The decision comes in a bid to prevent unauthorized participation in the pilgrimage and maintain crowd control during the five-day religious event, scheduled from June 4 to June 9, 2025.

The suspension affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas, and will remain in place until mid-June, coinciding with the peak of the Hajj season.

Strict Enforcement to Prevent Unauthorized Hajj Entry

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah emphasized that this is not a political move, but rather a logistical and safety-focused decision aimed at preventing individuals from performing Hajj without proper registration. In previous years, many foreign nationals reportedly entered the kingdom on Umrah or tourist visas and illegally stayed back to join the Hajj, which violates Saudi visa and pilgrimage laws.

Only pilgrims who enter through official Hajj channels and country quotas are permitted to perform the pilgrimage. According to the new guidelines, anyone found violating this rule may face a five-year ban on entering the Kingdom.

Umrah Visa Deadline: April 13, 2025

The last date for issuing Umrah visas for this year is April 13, 2025. Those already holding valid Umrah visas can still enter the Kingdom until this date, but no new visa requests will be processed thereafter for the affected countries until Hajj concludes.

Previous Tragedies Prompt Stricter Measures

Saudi authorities cited the deadly heat and overcrowding during Hajj 2024, where over 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives, including 98 from India, as one of the key reasons behind the move. Many of those affected were unauthorized pilgrims who lacked access to official support or accommodation.

The Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of Muslims annually. Last year, 175,000 Indian pilgrims traveled to Makkah under the official quota system. However, thousands more attempted to join the pilgrimage without proper documentation, putting immense pressure on infrastructure and raising health risks amid soaring temperatures.

Broader Impact and Climate Concerns

Saudi officials also cited the growing impact of climate change on Makkah’s environment. Over the past decade, the city’s average temperature has risen by 0.4°C, increasing the risk for elderly and vulnerable pilgrims. In 2023, at least 240 Hajj participants died, with Indonesia reporting the highest number of casualties.

To minimize risks, the Kingdom continues to enforce its quota system strictly, with Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and others being the top recipients.

No Political Motivation, Says Ministry

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that the visa restrictions are solely operational and safety-driven. It also aims to curtail illegal labor activity, as some foreign nationals have been found working illegally on business or family visit visas during the Hajj season.