Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of certain visa categories for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, as part of new travel restrictions introduced ahead of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Okay.ng reports that the suspension affects Umrah, family visit, and business visas, and is set to begin in April 2025, lasting through June when the Hajj season concludes.
While the decision will not impact pilgrims who are properly registered through official Hajj channels, it will bar individuals from entering the Kingdom using alternative visa types commonly exploited to participate in the pilgrimage without formal authorization.
Countries affected by the new restriction include:
- Nigeria
- India
- Pakistan
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Sudan
- Jordan
- Ethiopia
- Tunisia
- Yemen
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Morocco
According to Saudi authorities, the measure is a response to growing concerns about overcrowding, illegal overstays, and unregulated pilgrim activities. These issues were particularly evident during the 2024 Hajj, which saw thousands of deaths attributed to overcrowding and extreme heat conditions.
Officials clarified that the suspension aims to ensure better crowd control and improve safety and logistics during the upcoming Hajj. From April 13, Saudi embassies in the affected countries will cease issuing visit-related visas to applicants intending to travel for purposes outside of the approved Hajj process.
Pilgrims who have completed their registration through designated Hajj commissions or approved travel agents will be allowed entry into the Kingdom and are not affected by the new restrictions.
The Saudi government has continued to emphasize the importance of orderly pilgrimage planning, warning against unauthorized participation in Hajj rituals through backdoor means.
This latest development comes as countries around the world, including Nigeria, prepare for the annual Islamic pilgrimage, expected to attract over two million faithful from across the globe.
