Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has announced a ban on 1-year visit visas for travelers from India, Pakistan, and 12 other countries in a move aimed at curbing illegal Hajj pilgrimages. The decision comes as authorities intensify efforts to regulate the entry of visitors and prevent unauthorized participation in the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
According to Saudi officials, many visitors holding long-term visas have been found misusing them to perform Hajj without proper permits. To maintain order and security during the pilgrimage, the government has decided to restrict long-term visit visas for specific nations with high instances of visa violations.
The affected countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, and several others. While the 1-year visa is no longer available, travelers can still apply for short-term visit visas for tourism, business, and family purposes.
This policy shift is expected to streamline the Hajj process and ensure that only authorized pilgrims, who have gone through the proper channels, are allowed to participate. The ban has sparked concerns among expatriates and families who frequently visit the kingdom, but Saudi authorities remain firm on their decision to enforce visa regulations effectively.
