Saudi Arabia Bans Multiple-Entry Visas For India And 13 Other Countries; A Bid To Control Unauthorised Hajj

If you’ve been planning a trip to Saudi Arabia in 2025, there are some new changes in the visa policy that you should be aware of. Starting February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia is putting a ban on multiple-entry visas for Indian travellers. With thousands of unauthorised pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia each year, the government is making these changes to the visa policy. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this new visa policy.

Saudi Arabia Ends Multiple-Entry Visas

Starting February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia is rolling out a major visa policy change that will impact travellers from India and 13 other countries, as per Business Today reports. If you are planning to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism, business, or family purposes, here’s everything you need to know:

• Until now, Indian travellers could apply for a one-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, or visiting family. This is no longer an option. Now, only single-entry visas will be issued.
• This new single-entry visa will be valid for 30 days only. Beyond that, visitors will not be allowed to stay in the country.
• Along with India, 13 other countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, and more are subject to these new restrictions.
• However, if you’re travelling for Hajj, Umrah, or diplomatic purposes, these restrictions do not apply to you. When it comes to travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, the authorities strictly monitor the quotas to make sure there is no unauthorised participation.

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Here’s How The New Visa Policy Will Affect You

Saudi Arabia has been struggling with overcrowding during Hajj for a long time now. Many pilgrims use long-term visit visas to enter the country and stay illegally for pilgrimage. In 2024, over 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat and overcrowding, according to Business Today reports. It certainly raised alarms about unauthorised travellers performing Hajj.

To prevent a similar crisis and regulate the number of pilgrims in the country, the government suspended multiple-entry visas. While the suspension is reportedly temporary, it has not been specified if and when multiple-entry visas for Saudi Arabia will return.

Consequently, it is essential to be mindful that you cannot re-enter multiple times within a year and plan your trips accordingly.

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