Saudi Arabia has announced the suspension of short-term visa issuance for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, as part of its preparations for the 2025 Hajj season.
The temporary ban is scheduled to take effect on April 13, 2025, according to Gulf News.
The suspension, which affects business, tourist, and family visit visas, is aimed at managing the influx of travellers during the pilgrimage period, following overcrowding challenges experienced in previous years.
Last year, many individuals reportedly entered the Kingdom using non-Hajj visas, prompting the government to tighten controls.
According to Saudi authorities, the decision is part of efforts to regulate travel, improve coordination, and ensure the safety and smooth organisation of the upcoming Hajj.
Other countries affected are India, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya.
According to Gulf News, travellers from these nations who already hold valid visas can still enter Saudi Arabia before the April 13 deadline, but must leave the Kingdom no later than April 29.
This latest measure follows earlier restrictions introduced in February 2025, when Saudi Arabia indefinitely suspended one-year multiple-entry visas for the same group of countries, limiting them to single-entry visas valid for just 30 days.
In addition, the Kingdom has updated its Umrah travel guidelines, stating that Umrah visas will now be issued annually starting from the 14th of Dhu Al-Hijjah and ending on the 1st of Shawwal.
Saudi officials continue to stress the importance of securing the correct visa type for religious travel, warning of legal repercussions for non-compliance.
