In a bold move ahead of the Hajj season, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has temporarily suspended visa services for 14 countries — including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and several African nations. The visa categories affected include Umrah, business, and family visit visas, triggering widespread concern among prospective travelers and religious pilgrims.
🛑 Why the Ban?
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued the directive with a clear objective:
to prevent the misuse of Umrah and business visas by unauthorized Hajj pilgrims.
Every year, thousands attempt to perform Hajj — one of Islam’s five pillars — through non-Hajj visas, which violates Saudi regulations. This year, with increasing crowd control concerns and a renewed focus on safety, authorities are tightening access to maintain order, security, and logistical balance.
“This is not a diplomatic or political move. It’s about crowd safety and compliance,” stated a senior official from the Ministry.
🕌 Who Is Affected?
Reports suggest the following countries are included in the visa suspension:
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Yemen
- Chad
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- Ethiopia
- Libya
- Sudan
Citizens from these countries will not be issued new Umrah, business, or family visit visas until further notice. However, those already in the Kingdom with valid visas are not expected to be affected at this time.
✈️ Travel Plans on Hold
For millions of Muslims, especially in South Asia, the ban has caused confusion and disappointment. Travel agencies are seeing a wave of cancellations, while families who had planned reunions or Umrah trips during Ramadan are left scrambling.
The Hajj quota system remains intact, and pilgrims intending to perform Hajj through official government-approved channels will not be affected by this visa halt.
📅 How Long Will It Last?
The suspension is being labeled as temporary, likely in place until after the Hajj season in June. No exact timeline has been released, but updates are expected from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and respective embassies.
🧭 Looking Ahead
This move by MBS aligns with his broader goal of streamlining religious tourism, enhancing digital pilgrim management, and reducing illegal overstays. While some may view the ban as sudden or harsh, Saudi officials stress that it is a safety-first decision meant to preserve the sanctity and smooth functioning of Hajj.
📰 Stay Updated
If you or your loved ones have travel plans to Saudi Arabia, especially for Umrah or business purposes, it’s advised to:
- Contact the nearest Saudi consulate
- Stay updated through official embassy websites
- Avoid any unofficial Hajj operators