Saudi Arabia Suspends Visas for 14 Countries: Is Indonesia Included?

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary cessation of issuing new short-term visas, as reported by Gulf News. This includes business visit visas (for both single and multiple entries), electronic tourist visas, and family visit visas for citizens from 14 countries.

The temporary restriction, scheduled to take effect on April 13, 2025, encompasses citizens from India, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya.

Basil Al Sisi, a prominent member of the Egyptian Chamber of Tourism Companies, stated in a televised interview that this decision is a direct consequence of lessons discerned from the preceding Hajj season.

"Authorities have identified the countries that contributed to the crisis last year," he elaborated, as reported by Gulf News, alluding to individuals who undertook the Hajj pilgrimage utilizing short-term visas or visa categories not designated for religious pilgrimage.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly underscored the necessity of procuring the correct visa classifications for religious journeys and has cautioned against legal repercussions for non-compliance.

Travelers from these 14 nations who currently possess valid visas are still permitted entry into the Kingdom until April 13 and are mandated to depart no later than April 29.

Why Did Saudi Arabia Suspend Visas for 14 Countries?

According to Times of India, the Saudi Arabian government has implemented these travel limitations to manage the substantial influx of pilgrims anticipated during the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.

This action was precipitated by the logistical complexities and congestion observed during the previous Hajj season, where a significant number of pilgrims reportedly gained entry into the country using visa types not intended for religious purposes.

Saudi authorities have affirmed that these new regulations are intended to improve the coordination of hajj pilgrims' arrivals and ensure the safety and orderly execution of the approaching Hajj pilgrimage.

Various media outlets have indicated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly directed officials to reinforce visa protocols.

Specifically, officials have voiced concern over instances where foreign nationals arrive in Saudi Arabia with Umrah visas or general visit visas and subsequently remain in the country unlawfully to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has clarified that this measure is strictly a logistical adjustment aimed at facilitating a more seamless and secure pilgrimage experience and is not related to any diplomatic matters, as reported by Times of India.

The report further stated that those who are officially registered for Hajj can proceed with their travel arrangements, as diplomatic, residency, and dedicated Hajj visas remain valid.

Concurrently, Saudi authorities have issued a warning that any individual performing the Hajj without the requisite authorization or overstaying their permitted duration of stay may face a five-year ban from re-entering the country.

This measure is intended to uphold the arrangements established by Saudi Arabia, which impose limits on the number of pilgrims permitted to attend from each country.

What Drives This Visa Suspension?

Tragically, at least 1,301 individuals died during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, which occurred amid an unprecedented heat wave in Saudi Arabia, according to official fatality figures.

Last year, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims journeyed to the holy city of Mecca and undertook extensive travel under severe heat conditions, with temperatures exceeding 51 degrees Celsius, The Independent reported.

Following criticism regarding the Hajj management, Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel conveyed that 83 percent of the total fatalities were among pilgrims who had arrived in the city without official permission.

The Saudi Media Ministry explained that these individuals had entered Saudi Arabia months prior to the Hajj season using standard visit or tourist visas. Consequently, as they were not part of the officially organized Hajj delegations, these pilgrims did not receive the necessary accommodation, sustenance, or transportation assistance to mitigate the adverse effects of the extreme heat.

This statement was corroborated by the death toll statistics for Egyptian pilgrims, which revealed 660 fatalities among those without official permits compared to only 31 deaths among those with proper authorization.

When Does This Ban Take Effect and When Does It End?

Saudi officials have announced that April 13, 2025, will be the final date for the issuance of Umrah visas. Subsequently, no new visas of this category will be granted to citizens of the listed countries until the conclusion of the Hajj season.

According to various media reports, this suspension is anticipated to remain in effect until approximately mid-June, aligning with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage. Following this period, the issuance of new visas of this type to citizens of the designated countries will resume.

The Hajj pilgrimage has regrettably witnessed various calamitous events throughout history, including fires and stampedes. One of the most devastating incidents occurred in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina resulted in the deaths of up to 2,300 pilgrims.

According to First Post, a 2019 study published in the Geophysical Research Letters issued a warning that climate change is projected to elevate heat stress levels during the Hajj beyond the "extreme danger threshold" between 2047 and 2052. This phenomenon is predicted to recur from 2079 to 2086, with the frequency and severity expected to escalate over time.

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