Saudi Arabia has approved new amendments to its short-term visa policy, temporarily suspending the issuance of these visas for citizens of 14 countries starting in February 2025.

The decision affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas and includes the following countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Riyadh has not disclosed the reasons for this decision, but media reports suggest it addresses visitor congestion and safety concerns during the Hajj season.

The last day to issue Umrah visas will be April 13, and no new visas will be granted to citizens of the listed countries even after the Hajj season ends.

The aim of the decision is to prevent unauthorized pilgrimage, as previous seasons have witnessed tragic incidents due to overcrowding.