Saudi Arabia has made a major change to its visa policy, impacting travelers from 14 countries, including India. The Kingdom has indefinitely suspended multiple-entry visas as part of new regulations aimed at managing the Hajj pilgrimage. These new rules came into effect on February 1, 2025.
What’s Changing?
Under the updated policy, travelers from these 14 countries will now only be eligible for a single-entry visa instead of a multiple-entry visa. The decision was made to prevent unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages by those entering Saudi Arabia on long-term visas.
Many visitors with multiple-entry visas were performing Hajj without the required permits, leading to overcrowding in Mecca. This created challenges for Saudi authorities, prompting the government to take stricter measures.
What’s the Difference Between a Single-Entry and Multiple-Entry Visa?
- A single-entry visa allows travelers to enter Saudi Arabia only once before it expires.
- A multiple-entry visa permits visitors to enter and exit the country multiple times over an extended period.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The 14 countries impacted by Saudi Arabia’s new visa policy are:
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Yemen
These countries send the largest number of pilgrims to Mecca and Medina for Hajj and Umrah.
Key Changes in Saudi Visa Policy
- Tourists from these countries can now only apply for a single-entry visa
- The single-entry visa will be valid for 30 days
- Visitors can stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 30 days
- Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residence visas remain unchanged
Saudi authorities stated that multiple-entry visas were being misused. Many travelers were using long-term visas to enter the country and stay beyond the permitted time to perform Hajj or work illegally.
Why Did Saudi Arabia Take This Step?
Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, and managing the crowd is a massive challenge. The Saudi government allocates a fixed Hajj quota for each country to control the number of pilgrims. However, many people were performing Hajj without official permits, leading to overcrowding.
In 2024, over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat during Hajj. Most of them were unauthorized pilgrims who could not access the official arrangements provided by the Saudi government. The tragic loss of life led to widespread criticism of Saudi Arabia’s crowd management.
To prevent similar incidents during Hajj 2025, the government has introduced stricter visa policies to ensure only authorized pilgrims participate in the pilgrimage.
Is This Change Permanent?
Saudi officials have stated that the suspension of multiple-entry visas is temporary, but they have not specified how long it will remain in effect.
With these new rules, Saudi Arabia hopes to reduce overcrowding, ensure proper Hajj arrangements, and enhance the safety of all pilgrims.
