Srinagar- In a bid to streamline travel and reduce logistical bottlenecks ahead of the upcoming Hajj season, Saudi Arabia has revised its visa issuance policies, significantly narrowing eligibility for its electronic transit visa (e-stopover visa) and temporarily suspending short-term visas for citizens of 14 countries.
The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority has announced that the e-stopover visa — a convenient option for travelers transiting through the Kingdom — will now be issued only to passengers arriving from or departing to countries designated as “Group A.” The revised list includes 18 countries:
Canada, United States, Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and Mauritius.
Travelers from these nations will continue to benefit from the streamlined e-stopover visa process, while others are now excluded under the updated policy.
Temporary Visa Suspension for 14 Countries
In a separate but related move, Saudi authorities have imposed a temporary halt on issuing new short-term visas — including single- and multiple-entry business visit visas, e-tourist visas, and family visit visas — to nationals of the following 14 countries:
India, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya.
The suspension will take effect from April 13, 2025, and remains in place as part of measures to manage crowd control and ensure safety during the Hajj period. Individuals from the affected countries who already possess valid visas may still enter the Kingdom up to April 13 but must exit by April 29, 2025.
Preventing Hajj Misuse of Non-Pilgrimage Visas
These new regulations follow challenges observed during the last Hajj season, where many pilgrims reportedly entered Saudi Arabia using non-Hajj visas, contributing to severe overcrowding and logistical difficulties.
Basil Al Sisi, a member of Egypt’s Chamber of Tourism Companies, stated in a televised interview that the policy reflects lessons learned from the previous year’s pilgrimage chaos. “Authorities have identified the countries that contributed to the crisis last year,” he noted, emphasizing the misuse of tourist or visit visas for Hajj purposes.
New Umrah Visa Timeline
Further clarifying pilgrimage travel, Saudi officials announced a standardized timeline for Umrah visa issuance:
- Start: 14th of Dhu Al Hijjah
- End: 1st of Shawwal
The new guidelines form part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to maintain order, enhance pilgrim safety, and ensure that all religious travel is properly coordinated through appropriate channels.
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