Hajj 2025 Alert: Saudi Arabia Tightens Visa Rules for India, Pakistan & More; What Indian Pilgrims Should Know

Muslims across the world are preparing for Hajj 2025, which begins on June 4th. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced temporary visa restrictions for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

According to multiple media reports, Saudi Arabia has suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for select countries to prevent unauthorized participation in the Hajj. Countries which are affected due to this rule include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, and Nigeria, among others. This step has been taken to manage the massive crowd which is expected to gather in Mecca from June 4 to June 9, 2025, for Hajj.

Why Did Saudi Arabia Ban Visas for 14 Countries Before Hajj 2025?

Saudi Arabia allocates a Hajj quota to each country to regulate the number of pilgrims attending. However, every year, some individuals enter the Kingdom on tourist or Umrah visas and remain in the country to perform Hajj without official approval. This unauthorised participation has increased safety challenges for Saudi Arabia in the past, especially due to overcrowding and extreme heat.

During Hajj 2024, over 1,200 pilgrims reportedly died due to heatstroke and crowd-related issues, as per the ET report. To avoid a similar fate this time, the Saudi government has decided to pause visa issuance for specific categories in high-volume countries. However, it should be noted that the visa restriction does not apply to Hajj-specific visas, diplomatic visas, or valid residency permits.

What is an Umrah visa and who is eligible for it?

An Umrah visa allows Muslims to visit Mecca and perform the Umrah pilgrimage outside the Hajj season. Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year and is not obligatory.

As per Saudi Arabia's updated visa rules, the validity of an Umrah visa has been extended from 30 days to 90 days. According to the official Saudi visa website, to apply for an Umrah visa, the applicant must be a Muslim and at least 18 years old. Furthermore, women between 18 and 18-65 years old can now apply without a male guardian (Mahram), provided they travel in a group and have consent from a male family member. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

However, it should be noted that performing Hajj with an Umrah visa is not allowed. Saudi Arabia issues separate Hajj visas, which are valid only for travel to Mecca and Medina during the Hajj period. Hajj visas cannot be extended or converted from an Umrah visa. Pilgrims must leave the country before their visa expires.

As per the Saudi Visa website, "GCC citizens can travel to Saudi Arabia visa-free and need only show their passport or national ID at a Saudi port of entry. The new Saudi visa requirements 2022 allow citizens from 68 countries to apply for a Saudi tourist e-Visa at SaudiVisa.com and travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage, except during Hajj season."

Step- BY-Step Guide On How To Apply For An Umrah Visa

To apply for an Umrah visa, applicants must go through authorised travel agencies accredited by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Documents required include a valid passport, a recent passport-size photo, vaccination and health certificates, and a completed application form. People from 68 countries can apply for a Saudi tourist e-Visa to perform Umrah, but not during the Hajj season. The application is simple and can be done online in just 3 steps:

Step 1: Go to the official Saudi e-Visa website and fill in your personal details in the online form.

Step 2: Use your debit or credit card to pay the visa fee safely online.

Step 3: Once your visa is approved, it will be emailed to you. Make sure all the details on the visa match your passport before you travel.