Saudi Arabia Resumes Short-Term Visas for 14 Countries Including Pakistan

After the successful completion of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia has officially ended the temporary ban on short-term visas for people from 14 countries. This includes major countries like India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Indonesia.

The visa suspension was put in place earlier this year to manage the huge number of visitors during the Hajj season and to prevent unapproved pilgrimages. The decision helped reduce overcrowding and improved safety for pilgrims.

Why Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspended Short-Term Visas

Since April 2025, Saudi authorities had stopped issuing certain types of short-term visas. These included:

• Umrah visas
• Business visit visas
• Family visit visas
• Some types of tourist visas

The main reason behind this suspension was to stop people from entering Mecca without proper Hajj permits. In previous years, many people joined the pilgrimage without authorization, leading to serious safety concerns. Some pilgrims even died due to heat and lack of proper arrangements.

By pausing these visas, Saudi Arabia aimed to keep the pilgrimage safe, well-managed, and limited only to those with official permission.

List of Countries Affected by the Suspension

The visa pause affected travelers from 14 countries, including:

• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Egypt
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Jordan
• Algeria
• Sudan
• Ethiopia
• Tunisia
• Yemen
• Morocco

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah explained that this step was important to make sure Hajj was organized and secure for all pilgrims.

Block Work Visas Still Suspended

While short-term visas are now allowed again, Saudi Arabia is still not issuing Block Work Visas to companies and agencies from these 14 countries.

Block Work Visas are usually given to employers so they can bring in workers from abroad. However, the ban is still active for now. The government says this ban helps to:

• Stop illegal immigration
• Prevent misuse of work visas
• Encourage local employment in Saudi Arabia

At this time, businesses from the affected countries cannot apply for new worker quotas under the Block Visa program. No end date has been announced yet for this suspension.

Strict Rules and Penalties for Overstaying Visas

Saudi officials have also warned that people who stay in the country after their visa expires will face strong penalties. For example, Umrah pilgrims were told they must leave Mecca by April 29, 2025, or face legal consequences.

If someone overstays their visa, the punishments may include:

• Deportation after legal procedures
• A fine of up to SAR 50,000 (around USD 13,000)
• Up to six months in prison

These strict rules apply to all types of short-term visas, not just religious ones like Umrah.

Hajj 2025: A Safe and Successful Event

This year’s Hajj was a major event with more than 1.6 million pilgrims from over 150 countries. Saudi Arabia used advanced services, better medical facilities, and digital tools to help make the experience safer and smoother for everyone.

The country’s strong planning helped manage the large crowds and ensured a comfortable journey for pilgrims.

Preparations Already Underway for Hajj 2026

Saudi Arabia has already started preparing for next year’s Hajj. Officials have shared the early plans with Hajj offices in different countries. The key goals for Hajj 2026 include:

• Making the pilgrim journey more digital and efficient
• Expanding healthcare services to handle emergencies
• Speeding up visa processing and entry procedures

Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, said the government is committed to making future pilgrimages “safe, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling.

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