Saudi Arabia has reviewed its visit visa policy for 14 countries, including Pakistan, India, Egypt and Indonesia, discarding one -year multiple entry visas for tourism, businesses and family visits.
According to the new regulations, visitors to these countries will now be eligible only for unique entry visas.
The change, which entered into force on February 1, 2025, aims to stop the unauthorized participation of Hajj. The authorities say that some people were using long -term visit visas to avoid the official pilgrimage quotas system.
The affected countries include Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen.
According to the reviewed policy, visitors to these 14 nations must request a unique entrance visa, valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. Applications and biometric verification must be completed in Etimad visa centers in Pakistan and other quoted countries.
The Saudi government has been hardening control over the pilgrimage of Hajj, applying assignments of strict quotas for each country.
Previously, multiple input visas allowed travelers to enter Saudi Arabia throughout the year, which allows them to experience the cultural and modern attractions of the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has opened the Hajj 2025 registration for national pilgrims, including Citizens and Saudi residents. Applicants must send applications through the Nusuk application or the portal and official.
The Ministry has urged applicants to register early, update their health information and add pilgrims.
He also encouraged people to request exemptions from the MAHRAM requirement (male guardian), when appropriate.
Once these steps are completed, the applicants will be notified when the Hajj package reserves are opened. Priority will be given to people who have not made the Hajj before, according to the Ministry.
The new visa restrictions mark a significant policy change aimed at guaranteeing compliance with Hajj regulations while managing the influx of visitors to the kingdom.
