With the Haj season around the corner, Saudi Arabia has enacted significant changes to its Saudi Visa rules. Officials have limited e-stopover visas to citizens of 18 countries and also suspended new short-term visas for travelers from 14 countries. These steps are designed to facilitate the management of the growing flow of pilgrims during the holy month.
Only travelers from countries listed under “Group A” can now apply for e-stopover visas, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The move is aimed at easing the entry process for approved visitors and maintaining control over the rising number of international travelers anticipated during Hajj.
The new eligible countries for an e-stopover visa are Canada, Malaysia, the USA, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye and Mauritius. Applicants not only must be citizens of these nations but they must also hold a valid visa from the above group and have previously entered the visa country.
Suspension of Short-Term Visas for 14 Countries
Along with making the Saudi Tourist Visa options more limited, the Saudi authorities announced this week that short-term visas for citizens of 14 countries will be temporarily suspended. This suspension is set to come into effect on April 13, 2025, and will ensure that religious pilgrims take precedence while Saudi Arabia gears up for the Haj.
Egypt, India, Tunisia, Yemen, Morocco, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Sudan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Libya are among the affected countries. Nationals of these countries who possess valid existing visas must enter Saudi Arabia before April 13 and leave by April 29, 2025.
The move concerns all forms of short-term visas such as business visit visas, family visit visas and e-visa for tourism. Staying past the deadline for departure would constitute a violation of Saudi immigration laws, alert the authorities, and such violations could carry serious consequences.
Haj Season: Strict Penalty for Visa Violators
The Saudi Interior Ministry has emphasized the need to abide by the state’s visa instructions during this exceptional period. Under the new measures, those failing to comply with visa terms will be faced with heavy penalties. Companies and service providers dealing with Hajj and Umrah operations could be fined as much as SR100,000 ($26,670) if it is proven that they facilitated travelers who overstayed their visas.
Companies must also report pilgrims who do not leave the country in the legal period after the expiry of their visas. Non-compliance with this report may also incur financial penalties and various legal implications.
The Saudi government is reiterating its decision to NOT allow illegal pilgrims and unauthorized visitors to stay on. This strict approach to visa compliance for travelers during the Hajj season is protective of the sanctity of the pilgrimage and the security of the country.
