Kathmandu. Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary visa ban on citizens of 14 countries. In addition to business and family visas, this ban by the Saudi government will also apply to Umrah visas. This decision to temporarily ban visas is to prevent people from going to Hajj without registering.
The ban will continue until mid-June, i.e. until the completion of this year’s Hajj. Saudi officials have said that foreigners can come for Umrah visas only until April 13. After that, Umrah visas will not be issued. Thousands of people died during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia last year. Most of the deaths were unauthorized Hajj pilgrims. In such a situation, the purpose of this visa ban is to prevent people from traveling to Hajj without registering.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has decided to tighten visas to maintain the Hajj system. Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary visa ban for 14 countries. These countries include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Yemen.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the temporary visa ban would help ease travel regulations. It would improve security during the Hajj. Officials have urged people to follow the new rules to avoid any problems. Anyone found illegally staying in Saudi Arabia despite the ban could be banned from entering the country for five years.
Saudi Arabia has already released a digital guide for Hajj and Umrah in 16 languages. According to Saudi media, the guide is available in multiple formats. Saudi officials say they are serious about people’s safety during the Hajj. They want to ensure that people can complete their Hajj safely and comfortably. The Saudi government maintains strict controls on the Hajj pilgrimage and has set a certain number of Hajj pilgrims for each country. However, many foreigners participate in the Hajj without registering.
The problem became particularly acute in 2024, when more than 1,000 Hajj pilgrims died due to extreme heat and crowding. Saudi officials said they felt the need to tighten visa controls in light of the crisis of unauthorized pilgrims. –Agency
