Saudi Arabia suspends short-term visas for 14 countries, including India and Pakistan
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on issuing new short-term visa Visit Visa (both Single & Multiple) e tourist Visa and family visit Visa for citizens of the 14-countries as the kingdom moves towards regulating travel in the lead-up to the Hajj season.
Originally filed before the New York court on March 3, 2023, the 233-page complaint explains how nationals of the countries under the announced moratorium, which will begin on 13 April 2025, include India, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh and Libya.
Those who already have visas to enter the Kingdom can still enter until April 13 and have to leave by April 29. — Travellers from these countries.
Overcrowding
It comes after logistical problems and overcrowding seen in the last Hajj, when large numbers of pilgrims allegedly entered the country with visas not designed for pilgrimage.
The new restrictions are aimed at better regulating arrivals, in an attempt to guarantee a safe and orderly Hajj, Saudi authorities said. The decision is based on lessons from last time, Basil Al Sisi, a member of Egypt's Chamber of Tourism Companies, said in a televised interview.
He was referring to those who performed Hajj using short-term or non-Hajj-specific visas, saying, "Authorities traced the countries that contributed to the crisis last year.
Meanwhile, Saudi officials issued revised advice on the logistics of travelling for Umrah. Umrah visas will be issued annually starting from the 14th of Dhu Al Hijjah and end on the 1st of Shawwal.
The entry to the Kingdom for Umrah performers will start from Dhu Al Hijjah 14 until Shawwal 15, whereas all performers are obliged to go out up to the first from Dhu Al Qa'dah.
The Kingdom has stressed on many occasions that the type of visa needed for pilgrimage is not issued without special permissions, and warned that there will be legal action against violators.
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