Saudi Arabia has dismissed reports of a ban on Indian visas during Hajj as rumors. The government clarified that no official instructions have been issued in this regard.
Saudi Arab Visa Update: The Saudi Arabian government has categorically denied media reports claiming a temporary suspension of visas for Indian citizens during the Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi officials clarified that they have not issued any official order or notification in this regard.
Sources within the Indian government told news agency ANI that Saudi Arabia has not taken any action such as cancelling visas for Indians. The report further stated that the news is completely misleading and baseless.
Origin of the Visa Ban Rumor?
Recently, some media reports and social media platforms claimed that Saudi Arabia had imposed a ban on work visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, during the Hajj pilgrimage.
It was reported that this ban would be in effect until June 30, 2025, and the reason cited was the potential overcrowding during Hajj. The countries mentioned included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Turkey. However, the Saudi government has denied these claims, stating that all reports are unfounded and should not be believed.
No Visa Ban, Only Systemic Controls
The Saudi administration did acknowledge that temporary controls have been implemented on certain types of short-term visas (such as tourist or work visit visas) during the Hajj season to manage excessive crowds in Mecca and Medina.
However, this is a routine procedure, and all such restrictions will be lifted after Hajj concludes. This does not signify a ban on work visas, especially for Indian citizens.
Monitoring by the Indian Government and Saudi Embassy
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia are monitoring the situation. The Indian embassy has not confirmed any official information, indicating that no negative action has been taken by Saudi Arabia against India.
Possible Changes in Hajj Regulations
Every year, millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world arrive in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. This year, it is estimated that over 2 million pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia. Considering crowd management and security, the Saudi government has made some administrative adjustments to visa procedures this year.
