Saudi Arabia temporarily bans visas for 14 countries including India

(A visa is an official document or stamp that allows you to enter, leave, or travel through a country)

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) – Ahead of the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended travel, business and family visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India. The restrictions will remain in place until mid-June. These include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Yemen. Saudi Arabian officials have given two main reasons for this decision. The first reason is that people cannot participate in the Hajj pilgrimage illegally; because many people enter the country on various types of visas and participate in the Hajj pilgrimage illegally.

Saudi Arabia temporarily halts certain visa types for 14 countries, including 🇮🇳 India, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, and 🇧🇩 Bangladesh.

The suspension will remain until mid-June, coinciding with the end of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. pic.twitter.com/7odPFWOIm9

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 6, 2025

This has increased the risks of crowding and security. The second reason is illegal employment. People have arrived in Saudi Arabia on business and family visas and are working without permission. This is increasing problems in the labour market.