The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially suspended the issuance of short-term entry visas — including family visit visas, electronic tourist visas, and single/multiple-entry work visit visas — for citizens of 14 countries, as part of measures to regulate travel before the Hajj season 1446 AH.
The affected countries are: Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, India, Tunisia, Nigeria, Iraq, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Yemen, Jordan, and Indonesia.
According to Basil El-Sisi, a member of Egypt’s Chamber of Tourism Companies, the decision comes in response to violations during last year’s Hajj, where some travelers entered the Kingdom using visas not designated for pilgrimage, causing organizational challenges.
The Kingdom clarified that travelers who currently hold valid visas (work or tourism) will be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, 2025. After that date, entry will be restricted for nationals of the mentioned countries holding those types of visas.
This move aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to manage pilgrimage logistics efficiently and ensure the safety and orderliness of the Hajj process.
