Saudi Arabia Tightens Visa Rules to Prevent Unauthorized Hajj
Saudi Arabia has introduced stricter visa regulations effective February 1, 2025, to prevent unauthorized Hajj participation. Under the new rules, citizens of 14 countries are limited to single-entry visas valid for 30 days, while long-term multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits have been suspended. Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected. These measures aim to improve crowd control and compliance, requiring travelers to plan carefully and stay informed before visiting Saudi Arabia.
Video Transcript
Starting February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia has implemented new visa restrictions to curb unauthorized Hajj participation. Citizens from 14 countries—including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, and more—can now only obtain single-entry visas valid for 30 days. Long-term multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits have been suspended indefinitely. Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas are unaffected by this update—only general-purpose visas are impacted. This change has disrupted travel plans, causing uncertainty for frequent visitors and travel businesses alike. To recap: from February 1, 2025, general visas for citizens of these 14 countries are single-entry only, lasting 30 days—while Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected. Stay updated and plan ahead.
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