Saudi Arabia has imposed new visa restrictions on Nigeria and 13 other countries, limiting travelers to a single-entry visa valid for 30 days. The policy applies to tourists, business visitors, and those visiting family but excludes applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas.
The affected nations include Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Saudi authorities cited the misuse of multiple-entry visas as the key reason for the change, noting that some visitors overstayed illegally or participated in Hajj without proper authorization. The kingdom enforces a strict Hajj quota per country, and unauthorized pilgrims have contributed to overcrowding.
Officials described the restriction as a temporary measure but have not provided a timeline for review. The move comes ahead of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage and follows the tragic loss of over 1,200 pilgrims in 2024 due to extreme heat and congestion—conditions worsened by unregistered attendees.
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