KSA Halts Visas for 13 Countries Including Bangladesh

Ahead of the Hajj season, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended visa issuance for 13 countries, including Bangladesh, according to diplomatic sources. The suspension covers Umrah, business, and family visit visas and is expected to be lifted by mid-June, Pakistani media outlet ARY News reported on Sunday.

Umrah visa holders can still enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, the report added.

The countries affected by the ban include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Saudi authorities cited security concerns as the main reason for the restriction. In previous years, individuals holding multiple-entry visas have overstayed their legal period to perform Hajj unofficially, leading to overcrowding and safety risks.

Additionally, many visitors on business and family visas were found engaging in illegal employment, violating visa conditions and disrupting the labor market.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the temporary ban aims to regulate travel during the pilgrimage season and ensure public safety. Authorities have urged travelers to follow the new guidelines, warning that violators could face penalties, including a five-year entry ban.

This measure is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to strengthen immigration controls and manage the influx of pilgrims and tourists more effectively. Officials expect normal visa services to resume after mid-June.

To support pilgrims, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a digital guide available in 16 languages, including Urdu, English, Arabic, Turkish, French, Persian, Uzbek, and Indonesian. The guide, accessible as both a PDF and an audio file, can be downloaded from the ministry's official website to help pilgrims perform their religious duties with ease.