Saudi Arabia Revises Visit Visa Policy for 14 Countries, Including Pakistan and India
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has introduced significant changes to its visit visa policy for 14 countries, including Pakistan, India, Egypt, and Indonesia, by discontinuing one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits.
Under the updated regulations, visitors from these nations are now only eligible for single-entry visas. The new policy, which came into effect on February 1, 2025, is aimed at preventing unauthorized participation in Hajj. Authorities stated that some individuals were misusing long-term visit visas to circumvent the official pilgrimage quota system.
Countries Affected and Visa Requirements
The revised policy applies to Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Visitors from these countries must now obtain a single-entry visa valid for up to 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days per visit.
Applicants are required to complete the visa application and biometric verification at Etimad visa centers across Pakistan and other affected nations.
Stricter Hajj Regulations
Saudi authorities have been reinforcing regulations to streamline the annual Hajj pilgrimage and enforce strict quota allocations for each country. The previous multiple-entry visa system had allowed travelers to visit Saudi Arabia multiple times within a year, facilitating tourism and business visits, while also enabling them to explore the Kingdom’s cultural and modern attractions.
Hajj 2025 Registration Opens for Domestic Pilgrims
Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially opened Hajj 2025 registrations for domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents. Applicants must submit their requests via the Nusuk app or the official e-portal.
The ministry has urged applicants to register early, update their health information, and add accompanying pilgrims. Additionally, individuals can apply for exemptions from the Mahram (male guardian) requirement, where applicable.
Once these procedures are completed, applicants will be notified when Hajj package bookings open. According to the ministry, priority will be given to those who have not performed Hajj before.
The latest visa policy changes and stricter pilgrimage regulations highlight Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance visa control while ensuring the fair distribution of Hajj slots among eligible pilgrims.
