In a decisive move to tighten control over the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries—including Nigeria, Egypt, India, and Pakistan—citing growing concerns over illegal pilgrim influx and safety hazards.
The announcement, confirmed by Saudi authorities and reported by ARY News, comes as the Kingdom intensifies preparations for the 2025 Hajj season. The affected nations include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
According to officials, the suspension is designed to block unregistered individuals from exploiting non-Hajj visa categories—particularly Umrah, business, and family visit visas—to infiltrate the holy pilgrimage. This tactic has reportedly fueled overcrowding, strained resources, and increased the risk of fatalities during past pilgrimages.
News Arab highlights a troubling trend in recent years where visitors overstay their visas or repurpose them to gain unauthorized access to Hajj rites, thereby overwhelming infrastructure and creating serious security and health challenges.
“The suspension is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage,” officials noted, emphasizing that these measures are part of a broader strategy to ensure order, safety, and proper adherence to the Kingdom’s Hajj protocols.
Saudi authorities further raised alarms over the misuse of business and family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom under false pretenses and subsequently engage in illegal employment. The Saudi Foreign Ministry described such actions as violations that “disrupt the labour market and breach visa conditions.”
As a deterrent, the Ministry warned that violators found staying in the country illegally may face a severe penalty, including a five-year entry ban.
Despite the sweeping visa halt, ARY News reports that holders of valid Umrah visas will still be allowed to enter the Kingdom until April 13. The suspension will then be fully enforced and is expected to last until mid-June, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2025 Hajj.
The Kingdom’s crackdown follows the tragic toll of the 2024 Hajj season, during which at least 1,301 pilgrims lost their lives—many due to extreme heat and lack of access to basic services. Alarmingly, a significant proportion of the deceased were undocumented pilgrims who lacked official permits and access to life-saving amenities like air-conditioned tents, ambulance services, and hospital care.
Saudi officials reported that over 400,000 unregistered pilgrims participated in last year’s Hajj, with Egypt accounting for a large share. This alarming figure underscores the urgent need for stricter regulation and enforcement.
Each participating country is allocated a limited number of Hajj permits through a quota-based lottery system. However, the high cost of official Hajj packages has driven many prospective pilgrims to seek alternative, unauthorized routes—often at great personal risk.
The latest measures by Saudi Arabia represent a firm stance to protect the sanctity of the pilgrimage, ensure the safety of all participants, and uphold immigration and religious protocols.
As the 2025 Hajj approaches, the Saudi government appears determined to avert another humanitarian crisis. While the visa suspension may spark concern among would-be pilgrims, officials insist it is a necessary step toward preserving life, restoring order, and honoring the spiritual essence of one of Islam’s most sacred obligations.
PIONEER NEWS 