Saudi Arabia Suspends Visas for Nigeria and 13 Other Nations in Lead-Up to 2025 Hajj.
Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension on issuing new short-term visas, including business, e-tourist, and family visit visas, for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, ahead of the 2025 Hajj.
The ban, effective from April 13, 2025, will apply to nationals of India, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya.
Travelers with valid visas will still be allowed to enter the Kingdom until April 13, but must leave by April 29, 2025.
This decision follows earlier restrictions imposed in February 2025, which limited visa issuance to single-entry, 30-day visas and suspended one-year multiple-entry visas for these countries.
Saudi authorities explained that these measures are intended to help organize and ensure the safety of arrivals for the upcoming pilgrimage.
The Kingdom also reinforced the need for pilgrims to obtain the correct visa for religious travel, warning of legal consequences for non-compliance.
Additionally, the issuance of Umrah visas will now begin annually on the 14th of Dhu Al Hijjah and end on the 1st of Shawwal.
