Saudi Arabia has made a big change to its visa policy, limiting travellers from 14 countries to single-entry visas. Starting from February 1, 2025, this new rule is intended to stop people from entering the country on long-term visit visas with the intention of performing Hajj without proper authorization.

The government has indefinitely cancelled the one-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, and family visits for people from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen. This new rule affects travellers from these countries. Visitors from the 14 affected countries can only get single-entry visas. These visas will be valid for 30 days, allowing a maximum stay of 30 days. However, Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic and residency visas are not affected by this rule. Saudi officials explained that multiple-entry visas were being misused. Some travellers entered on long-term visas but stayed illegally for work or performed Hajj without proper permission.

Saudi authorities strictly manage the Hajj by giving each country a set number of pilgrimage slots. However, overcrowding has been a problem because many tourists bypass these limits by using long-term visas. This became a major issue in 2024 when over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Authorities think that unregistered pilgrims contributed to this crisis, showing the need for stricter visa controls. To address this, the government plans to allow only single-entry visas, making sure only authorised pilgrims attend the Hajj and reducing the risks linked to unauthorised participants. Officials have called the suspension of multiple-entry visas a temporary step, but they haven’t given a timeline for reviewing it. The government will first assess its impact before making any further decisions.

If you're planning to visit Saudi Arabia, make sure to apply for a single-entry visa well in advance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasised the importance of following the latest visa rules to avoid any penalties or travel issues. Travellers from affected countries should ensure they comply with Saudi Arabia's stricter immigration laws to avoid any problems during their trip or stay.