To manage the crowd during the Hajj pilgrimage and to prevent unregistered pilgrims from performing Hajj, the Saudi government has decided to suspend visa issuance for certain countries, officials said. Last year, due to extreme heat and a large number of unregistered pilgrims, a deadly stampede occurred. To avoid such incidents in the future, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken this decision and ordered officials to strengthen visa regulations.

According to the revised rules, the deadline for applying for Umrah Visas is April 13, 2025. No new Umrah visas will be issued until the Hajj concludes. Due to this restriction, people from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and several other countries planning to visit Saudi Arabia are facing disappointment.

Countries facing visa suspension:

India

Bangladesh

Pakistan

Algeria

Egypt

Ethiopia

Indonesia

Iraq

Jordan

Morocco

Nigeria

Sudan

Tunisia

Yemen

Saudi authorities said the decision was made to ensure safety and manage overcrowding during Hajj. In 2024, more than 1,200 pilgrims died due to various reasons, many being unregistered travelers. As a result, the kingdom has temporarily suspended various types of visas. However, the ban does not apply to officially registered Hajj pilgrims, diplomatic visas, residence permits, or Hajj-specific visas.