Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary visa ban on 14 countries, including India and Pakistan, ahead of the upcoming Hajj season.
The suspension applies to Umrah, business, and family visas, with restrictions expected to end by mid-June, diplomatic sources told Pakistan-based Ary News.
Officials told the outlet that individuals holding Umrah visas can still enter Saudi Arabia until April 13.
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Yemen are some of the countries on which the ban has been imposed.
Saudi officials have stated several reasons behind imposing the ban, with one of the major factors being the concern over unauthorized Hajj participation.
Officials have claimed that foreign nationals are using Umrah visas or visit visas to enter Saudi Arabia and illegally overstaying to perform Hajj in Mecca, leading to overcrowding, reports said.
Authorities have cited illegal employment as the other factor behind imposing the ban.
Travellers using business and family visas reportedly engaged in unauthorized work, violating visa rules and causing labour market disruptions, the news channel reported.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the temporary visa ban would help streamline travel regulations and improve safety measures during the upcoming Hajj season.
Authorities asked affected travellers to follow new regulations to avoid penalties.
Sources told the news channel that individuals staying illegally in Saudi Arabia despite the ban may face a five-year restriction on future entries.
Digital guide
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, earlier, launched a digital guide to facilitate pilgrims from different countries.
The guide was launched in 16 languages, including Urdu.
According to Saudi state media, the comprehensive guide became available in multiple formats, including PDF downloads and audio versions, which could be accessed through the ministry’s official website.
The guide was released with the aim to provide major information to pilgrims in languages such as Urdu, English, Arabic, Turkish, French, Persian, Uzbek, and Indonesian to help pilgrims perform the pilgrimage.
