Apr 07, Kathmandu- Saudi Arabia has imposed visa restrictions on citizens of 14 countries, including India and Pakistan.

In order to ensure crowd management and security for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, the government has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas for Umrah, business, and family visits to citizens of these countries.

The list of countries subject to visa bans includes India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, and others. According to the news, the ban will remain in place until mid-June, after the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

The 14 countries subject to the ban are Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

According to Saudi officials, Umrah visas will be issued only until April 13, 2025 (Chaitra 30, 2081). After that, new visas will be issued to citizens of the countries on this list only after the Hajj is over.

The Saudi government's decision is said to have been taken in view of the excessive crowd management and security measures during the Hajj period.