Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens from 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of its preparations for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage season. According to sources who spoke with ARY News, the decision aims to curb the number of unauthorized individuals attempting to perform Hajj without the proper documentation or registration.

The Saudi authorities are increasingly concerned about the growing trend of people entering the country under the pretense of other visa types—particularly business and family visit visas—with the intent to participate in the Hajj without securing official permits. This practice, officials say, not only violates visa regulations but also poses a serious risk to public safety due to the overcrowding it causes. News Arab reported that over the past few years, many of these visitors have overstayed their visas, leading to congestion and various logistical challenges during the pilgrimage.

Officials further emphasized that misuse of non-Hajj visas often leads to people engaging in unauthorized employment while in the Kingdom, a direct violation of immigration laws that disrupts the local labor market and undermines legal employment systems. To counter these issues, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has implemented a series of stricter policies designed to enhance the efficiency of travel procedures and ensure the overall safety of pilgrims during the holy period.

One of the critical aspects of the new policy is the imposition of penalties for individuals found to be violating their visa conditions. The Saudi foreign ministry warned that foreigners caught staying in the country illegally may be subject to a ban that would prevent them from re-entering the Kingdom for a period of up to five years.

The 14 countries affected by this suspension include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco. Despite the broad restrictions, ARY News clarified that holders of existing Umrah visas will still be permitted to enter Saudi Arabia up until April 13, 2025. The temporary suspension is expected to remain in effect through mid-June, coinciding with the conclusion of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

This policy shift comes on the heels of significant challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj season, which saw at least 1,301 pilgrims lose their lives, the majority due to extreme heat conditions. A notable portion of these fatalities involved individuals who lacked official Hajj permits and, as a result, were not eligible for critical services like air-conditioned shelter, medical care, and emergency assistance.

Last year, Saudi authorities reported that approximately 400,000 individuals performed Hajj without proper registration. A considerable number of these unregistered pilgrims were said to have originated from Egypt. These unauthorized participants often bypass the official process in an attempt to avoid the high costs associated with legitimate Hajj packages. Most countries, including those affected by the visa suspension, receive a limited number of Hajj permits through a quota system that allocates slots via lottery. Due to overwhelming demand and financial barriers, many prospective pilgrims resort to finding alternative and unauthorized means of participation.

However, choosing to undertake the pilgrimage through unofficial channels significantly raises the risk factor. Pilgrims who are not officially registered are typically barred from accessing the support systems put in place by Saudi authorities for legally recognized attendees. This includes access to vital resources like air-conditioned tents in Mina and Arafat, health facilities, and ambulance services, all of which are essential for coping with the physically strenuous nature of the Hajj under often harsh weather conditions.