Ahead of this year's Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of certain visas to visitors from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As per media reports, the suspension will continue till mid-June, coinciding with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. This ban is among the efforts to regulate overcrowding during the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to the Saudi authorities, Umrah visas, business visas and family visit visas have been suspended for applicants from the 14 countries. The move is aimed at restricting unregistered pilgrims from visiting the country to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage. Only pilgrims who have been authorised to visit the country for the Hajj pilgrimage can enter the Gulf country during the specified period.
Saudi officials say in the past, people have visited their country using these visas and then overstayed the duration permitted. The visa holders entered the country to perform Hajj, but since they were not registered to be part of the pilgrimage, it led to management issues, which ultimately resulted in overcrowding.
In the last pilgrimage season in 2024, over 1,000 visitors died during the Hajj pilgrimage due to extreme heat, overcrowding, sanitation and transportation issues, and the presence of unregistered pilgrims. The overcrowding problem is exacerbated by the increase in undocumented pilgrims.
To prevent such a scenario, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has asked officials to strictly enforce the new visa rules. The deadline to apply for an Umrah visa is Apr. 13.
As per media reports, a total of 14 countries will be impacted by the ban. They are:
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Egypt
Indonesia
Iraq
Nigeria
Jordan
Algeria
Sudan
Ethiopia
Tunisia
Yemen
Morocco
Saudi Arabia has started a digital guide for Hajj and Umrah in 16 languages to assist pilgrims. It is part of the efforts to better inform the pilgrims and enhance their safety and security. Officials have warned that anyone found staying illegally in the country during the Hajj pilgrimage will be slapped with a five-year ban from entering the country.
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