Effective February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia has introduced a significant shift in its visa policy aimed at addressing concerns over unauthorized Hajj pilgrims entering the country. The new regulations affect travellers from 14 countries, limiting them to single-entry visas. This change comes in response to concerns over misuse of long-term visit visas for purposes other than tourism, business, or family visits, particularly with regard to unauthorized Hajj attendance.
Affected Countries
The new visa restrictions apply to citizens from the following countries:
Algeria
Bangladesh
Egypt
Ethiopia
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Jordan
Morocco
Nigeria
Pakistan
Sudan
Tunisia
Yemen
Under the revised policy, nationals from these countries will no longer be eligible for one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, or family visits. Instead, they can only apply for a single-entry visa, which is valid for 30 days with a maximum stay of 30 days. Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected by the new regulations.
Rationale for the Change
The policy revision stems from Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to manage its Hajj pilgrimage quotas and address overcrowding issues that have become a significant concern. In recent years, the misuse of long-term visas, such as the multiple-entry tourist visa, has allowed some individuals to bypass the country’s strict controls on Hajj attendance. This has contributed to a rise in unregistered pilgrims, further exacerbating overcrowding and straining the country’s ability to ensure safety and manage health risks.
The deadly Hajj stampede of 2024, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,200 lives due to extreme heat and overcrowding, underscored the urgent need for tighter controls. Saudi authorities have linked the rise in unregistered pilgrims to the misuse of long-term visas, and the government hopes the new restrictions will help mitigate these issues by ensuring only authorized pilgrims can attend Hajj.
Key Changes
The new visa policy limits travellers from the affected countries to single-entry visas.
These visas are valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days.
The suspension applies to tourism, business, and family-related multiple-entry visas, but Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected.
The Saudi government aims to reduce the risks of overcrowding and unregistered pilgrims by enforcing stricter controls.
Temporary Measure
While the suspension of multiple-entry visas is currently described as a temporary measure, the Saudi government has not provided a specific timeline for when this policy might be reviewed. Authorities plan to monitor the impact of the changes and assess whether further modifications are necessary.
Impact on Travelers
Travellers from the affected countries are strongly advised to apply for single-entry visas well in advance to ensure compliance with the new regulations. It is important for visitors to adhere to Saudi Arabia’s updated immigration laws to avoid penalties or disruptions during travel.
In conclusion, while the new visa regulations mark a shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach to managing tourism and pilgrimage, they are seen as a necessary step to maintain the safety and integrity of the Hajj experience. The government’s proactive measures aim to ensure that the religious pilgrimage continues to be conducted in an orderly and secure manner for all participants.
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