Saudi Arabia has introduced new visa restrictions for travelers from 14 countries.
Citizens of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen will now only be eligible for single-entry visas valid for 30 days, with no extensions permitted.
This applies to tourists, business travelers, and family visitors, but excludes those traveling for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic purposes, or residency.
The change is due to reported misuse of multiple-entry visas, with some travelers overstaying or participating in unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages. Saudi Arabia aims to better regulate Hajj attendance through quotas and prevent overcrowding, particularly after the 2024 pilgrimage saw over 1,200 deaths due to heat and congestion exacerbated by unregistered attendees.
While described as temporary, no timeframe has been given for reviewing these measures.
The government will assess the impact of the new regulations.
Travelers from the affected countries are advised to apply for visas well in advance and adhere to the updated guidelines to avoid travel disruptions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges travelers to stay informed via official channels.