Bad news for Indians as Saudi Arabia changes visa rules, bans multiple-entry visas

Saudi Arabia has announced a major change in its visa policy, restricting travelers from 14 countries to single-entry visas only.

This decision aims to prevent unauthorized Hajj pilgrims from entering the country on long-term visit visas. The new rule has been in effect since February 1. This year’s Hajj pilgrimage will take place from June 14 to June 19 in the holy city of Mecca. Every year, millions of pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, but officials expect an even larger crowd this year compared to previous years.

The new visa policy affects travelers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Saudi authorities have indefinitely suspended the one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits for citizens of these countries.

Changes in Saudi Arabia’s visa policy

Tourists from the 14 affected countries can now only apply for a single-entry visa.

The single-entry visa will be valid for 30 days, meaning visitors can stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 30 days.

Why was this decision made?

The main goal behind this decision is to stop the misuse of multiple-entry visas. In recent years, some travelers have used multiple-entry visas to participate in Hajj without official registration. To prevent this from happening again, Saudi authorities are strictly enforcing the new visa rules. This policy change will have the greatest impact on Muslim travelers, as Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every Muslim desires to complete at least one Hajj pilgrimage in their lifetime, making this an important religious journey.

Hajj crowd issues have led to tragic deaths

Saudi authorities are strictly regulating the Hajj pilgrimage to manage crowds effectively. Each country is allocated a specific Hajj quota, but some tourists used long-term visas to join the pilgrimage without official registration. This issue became critical in 2024, when over 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Officials believe that unauthorized Hajj participants contributed to the crisis, which led to the new visa policy changes.

Important travel guidelines for tourists visiting Saudi Arabia

If you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, make sure to apply for a single-entry visa in advance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasized the importance of following the latest visa regulations to avoid fines or travel disruptions.

Tourists from the affected countries should:

Ensure compliance with Saudi immigration rules before traveling.

Carry all necessary travel documents at all times.

Stay informed about any updates to Saudi Arabia’s visa policies to prevent last-minute issues.