Entry ban for Indians in Saudi Arabia during Hajj? Heres the truth behind the viral claim
Entry ban for Indians in Saudi Arabia during Hajj? Here’s the truth behind the viral claim
Saudi authorities, which strictly controls Haj, have stated that multiple-entry visas were being misused. Some travellers entered the country on long-term visas but remained illegally for work or performed Haj without proper authorization.
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Saudi Arabia has not placed any new travel restrictions on Indian citizens. Sources connected to the Indian government have confirmed that no such official announcement has been made. On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs also dismissed reports claiming that Indians were facing travel restrictions to Saudi Arabia.
Officials from the ministry explained that the Saudi government has not issued any notice about this. They clarified that during the Hajj season, it’s common practice to temporarily pause or limit visas to manage large crowds. These temporary restrictions are lifted once the Hajj pilgrimage is over.
“This CLAIM is FALSE. FACT: The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Haj season, there are temporary restrictions on short term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which end with the conclusion of Haj,” the MEA’s official FactCheck account posted on X.
Government sources had made it clear that Saudi Arabia’s move to temporarily halt Umrah, business, and family visit visas for 14 countries, including India, from April to June 2025, was to manage the massive Haj crowds and ensure safety.
“The suspension is a result of logistical, not political, compulsions as restrictions have been imposed on granting short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during the Haj season,” said an official.
Saudi authorities, which strictly controls Haj, have stated that multiple-entry visas were being misused. Some travellers entered the country on long-term visas but remained illegally for work or performed Haj without proper authorization.
Saudi Arabia has been known to take such steps during the Hajj season every year due to security and administrative reasons. This year, these restrictions are expected to remain in effect until June 30.
It’s worth mentioning that under a bilateral agreement between India and Saudi Arabia, India received a Hajj quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for 2025. The agreement was signed in January this year in Jeddah by India’s Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
Even though there are temporary restrictions during the Hajj season, Saudi Arabia is still working to boost tourism from India as part of its Vision 2030 plan. Trade between the two countries reached USD 43.36 billion in the financial year 2023-24.
Last month, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Saudi Arabia, both countries signed deals worth USD 100 billion. These agreements cover areas like energy, infrastructure, security, and new technology.
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