To curb unauthorised Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has introduced significant changes to its visa policy, effective February 1, 2025.

The Gulf nation has limited travellers from 14 countries to single-entry visas. 

Saudi Arabia’s new regulations target travellers from India, Bangladesh, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. 

As part of the policy shift, the Saudi government has indefinitely suspended the one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits from these countries.

Visitors from the affected nations can only apply for single-entry visas, valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days under the revised rules. However, Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas will remain unaffected. 

Saudi officials have indicated that the previous multiple-entry visas were being misused, with some travellers entering the country on long-term visas and subsequently overstaying to work or perform Hajj without proper authorisation.