Saudi Arabia prohibits visa issuance for 14 nations, including India, Pakistan etc

Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension of visa issuance for citizens from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, according to media reports.

This ban will take effect on April 13 and is expected to last until mid-June.

The suspension affects three categories of visas: Umrah visa, Business visa, and Family Visit visa. The Saudi government has implemented this measure to prevent unauthorized participation in the Hajj pilgrimage.

Reports indicate that numerous foreign nationals have entered the country on Umrah or family visit visas and subsequently overstayed their permits to take part in Hajj without proper authorization.

Under the new travel regulations, foreign nationals can apply for Umrah visas until April 13. After this date, no new Umrah visas will be issued until the conclusion of Hajj.

The 14 countries affected by this travel restriction include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.

Hajj is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, commemorating the narratives of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail, Ismail's mother Hajar, and the Prophet Muhammad, as outlined in the Quran, the holy book of Islam.

Following the completion of Hajj, men are traditionally expected to shave their heads, while women are to cut a lock of hair as a symbol of renewal.

All Muslims are obligated to undertake the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they possess the physical and financial means to do so. Many affluent Muslims choose to make the pilgrimage multiple times.

In 2024, over 1.83 million Muslims participated in Hajj, which included more than 1.6 million pilgrims from 22 different countries, along with approximately 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, as reported by the Saudi Hajj authorities.

Kell