Saudi Arabia has revised its visa visa policy for 14 countries, notably Pakistan, India, Egypt and Indonesia, suppressing the one -year multiple entry visas for tourist, businesses and family visits .
Under new regulations, visitors to these countries will now be eligible only for single entry visas.
The change, which entered into force on February 1, 2025, aims to limit the unauthorized participation of the HAJJ. The authorities say that some people used long -term visit visas to bypass the official pilgrimage quota system.
The affected countries include Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen.
Under the revised policy, visitors to these 14 nations will have to request a single entry visa, valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. Requests and biometric verification must be completed in Etimad visa centers across Pakistan and other listed countries.
The Saudi government has tightened control of the Hajj pilgrimage, applying strict quota allowances for each country.
Previously, the multiple entry visas allowed travelers to enter Saudi Arabia throughout the year, allowing them to discover the cultural and modern attractions of the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Omra opened the HAJJ 2025 recording for domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents. Applicants are required to submit requests via the Nusuk application or the official electronic portal.
The ministry urged candidates to register early, update their health information and add pilgrims.
He also encouraged individuals to ask for exemptions from the requirement of Mahram (male Guardian), if applicable.
Once these steps are completed, the candidates will be informed of the opening of the Hajj package reservations. Priority will be given to people who have never done the Hajj before, according to the ministry.
The new visa restrictions mark a significant change in policy aimed at ensuring compliance with the Hajj’s regulations while managing the influx of visitors to the kingdom.
