Saudi Arabia has revised its visiting visitor policy for 14 countries, including Pakistan, India, Egypt and Indonesia, scraping a year’s multiple-entry visa for tourism, business and family visits.
According to the new rules, visitors from these countries are now justified only to Visa with an income.
The change, which came into force on February 1, 2025, aims to limit unauthorized Hajj participation. Authorities say some people used long -term visitors to bypass the official pilgrimage system.
The countries affected include Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen.
According to the revised policy, visitors from these 14 nations must apply for a single entry visa that is valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days per day. Visit. Applications and biometric verification must be completed at Etimad Visa centers across Pakistan and other listed countries.
The Saudi government has tightened control of Hajj pilgrimage and enforced strict quota distributions for each country.
Earlier, Visa allows travelers to enter Saudi Arabia all year round, enabling them to experience the cultural and modern attractions of the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have opened Hajj 2025 registration for domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents. Applicants must submit requests via the Nusuk app or the official e-portal.
The Ministry has called on applicants to register early, update their health information and add accompanying pilgrims.
It also encouraged individuals to apply for exceptions to the requirement of Mahram (male guardian) where it was relevant.
Once these steps are completed, applicants will be notified when HAJJ packing bookings open. There will be priority to people who have not performed Hajj before, according to the ministry.
The new visa restrictions mark a significant political shift aimed at ensuring compliance with the Hajj rules while managing the influx of visitors to the kingdom.
