Haj 2025: Why did Saudi Arabia impose temporary ban on certain visas for 14 countries including India?
Haj pilgrimage is coming close and in such a situation, Saudi Arabia has taken a step that can increase the problem for the people dreaming of doing Haj. Saudi has temporarily suspended to issue some visas for citizens of 14 countries including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The visa released for Umrah, Business and Family Yatra is banned and it will be effective by the conclusion of the pilgrimage of Mecca till the middle of June.
The ban will affect 14 countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco.
The report said that this report was necessary because many foreign nationals enter Saudi with Umrah or Yatra Visa first and then stop illegally to participate in Haj without official permission. This increases the congestion and it becomes very difficult to manage it. At least 1,200 pilgrims were killed in one such incident during Haj in 2024.
Actually Saudi has made a quota system. A special Haj slot is given for every country to regulate the number of pilgrims. That is, only a special number of people from any one country can join Haj. But people who illegally participate in the Hajy ignore this system.
Apart from this, another reason behind this move to ban some visas is to go to Saudi and do illegal employment. Officials said that foreigners using business or family visas are engaged in unauthorized work in Saudi Arabia, they are violating visa rules and causing disruption in labor markets.
The reports said that the authorities have asked the affected passengers to follow the new rules. If someone violates the order, then he may have to face a five -year ban on entry into Saudi in future. Keep in mind that people taking visas for diplomatic visa, residency permit and especially Haj will be unaffected by this move. Haj 2025 season is scheduled for 4-9 June.
