Hajj: Saudi Arabia imposes visa ban on Nigeria, 12 others
The 2025 Hajj pilgrimage may have run into a hitch as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has placed a temporary visa ban on Nigeria and 12 other countries.
AbeyaNews reports that the ban by the Saudi authorities is coming amidst efforts to tackle the surging crowd that usually characterise the yearly Hajj and to prevent individuals from performing Hajj without proper registration.
The measure, according to reports, is geared towards the prevention of a recurrence of the 2024 Hajj stampede that led to extreme heat and the influx of unregistered pilgrims.
The policy is one of the measures by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to control immigration and manage pilgrims and tourists.
With the development, countries namely: Jordan, India, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Tunisia, Yemen and Pakistan, will not be issued Hajj, business, and family visit visas until the middle of June 2025 when Hajj activities would have been concluded.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, was reported to have directed authorities to enhance visa regulations.
AbeyaNews reports that following the revised rules, the final day to apply for an Umrah visa is now April 13, 2025.
However, citizens of the affected countries who have already been issued Umrah visas can still travel to Saudi until April 13, 2025.
Responding to the development, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the suspension is aimed to regulate travel during the Hajj and ensure the safety of all visitors.
The Saudi authorities called on intending travellers to comply with the new rules, saying that failure to follow the rules could result to penalties.
It also warned that anyone who remains in Saudi Arabia illegally could face a five-year entry ban.
