Saudi Arabia Imposes Temporary Visa Ban on 14 Countries Including Pakistan Ahead of Hajj 2025
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- April 8, 2025
- 2:29 pm
- 39
- Trending
Saudi Arabia imposes visa ban on 14 countries, including Pakistan, ahead of Hajj 2025 to manage pilgrim flow and ensure safety during the holy season
The Kingdom has imposed a temporary visa ban on 14 countries, including Pakistan. This temporary ban comes ahead of the Hajj 2025 season. The visa suspension begins on April 13. It affects all short-term visas, including those for Umrah, business, tourism, and family visits.
The ban targets citizens from Pakistan, India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Morocco.
The ban targets citizens from Pakistan, India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Morocco.
According to diplomatic sources, the rule applies to both single-entry and multiple-entry short-term visas. Travellers from these countries who already have valid short-term visas can still enter Saudi Arabia before April 13. However, they must leave by April 29.
The Saudi government has issued a warning. Anyone who fails to leave by the deadline may face a five-year entry ban.
Officials say the Saudi Arabia visa ban is a temporary step. It aims to reduce congestion during Hajj. In 2024, many visitors used short-term visas to enter the Kingdom for Hajj. This created crowding and safety issues.
The Saudi government hopes the restriction will help manage the number of pilgrims. It also wants to improve logistics and crowd control.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan has approved the official Hajj flight schedule. Under the government scheme, 89,000 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia. These flights will run between April 29 and May 31.
The flights will be operated by five approved airlines. The full flight schedule is available on the Pak Hajj mobile application.
The first Hajj flights will leave from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Multan on April 29. Pilgrims must get their mandatory vaccinations at their local Haji camps at least 10 days before departure. The second round of Hajj training will begin on April 8.
PIA has also announced its pre-Hajj flight plan. The airline will operate 280 special flights between April 29 and June 1. These flights will carry over 56,000 Pakistani pilgrims.
PIA will use Boeing 777 and Airbus 320 aircraft for these operations. The post-Hajj return flights will start on June 12 and continue until July 10.
This year, 179,210 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj. The government has reduced the price of both Hajj packages. The 40-day Hajj package now costs Rs1,050,000 after a Rs25,000 cut. The 25-day short Hajj package now costs Rs1,100,000, reduced by Rs50,000.
When contacted, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not be reached for a statement. However, sources confirm that the Saudi government has already shared the decision with Pakistani officials.
Travellers from the affected countries are advised not to travel to Saudi Arabia after April 13, even if they have valid visas.
