Saudi Arabia has announced a major overhaul of its visa policy, effective February 1, 2025, suspending the issuance of one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits. The Kingdom will now grant only single-entry visas with a 30-day validity, significantly impacting travelers from India and 13 other countries.
Key Changes in Saudi Visa Policy
- Single-entry visas only: Effective from February 1, 2025.
- 30-day validity: Maximum stay period limited to one month.
- Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unchanged.
- Applies to 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Nigeria.
Why Has Saudi Arabia Implemented These Changes?
Saudi officials have cited misuse of multiple-entry visas as a major reason for the policy shift. Many travelers reportedly overstayed their visas illegally for work or performed Hajj without proper authorization. The new restriction aims to prevent unauthorized pilgrimages and enhance crowd control during the annual Hajj season.
In 2024, overcrowding during Hajj led to over 1,200 pilgrim deaths, mainly due to extreme heat and congestion. Saudi Arabia believes that limiting visa entries will help prevent unauthorized pilgrims from performing Hajj and improve overall safety.
Impact on Indian Travelers and Businesses
India, a key source of visitors to Saudi Arabia, is expected to be significantly affected by this change. In 2022, nearly 2.5 million Indians traveled to the Kingdom for business, tourism, and religious purposes. The visa restriction will particularly impact:
- Frequent business travelers who need multiple visits within short periods.
- Families with members in Saudi Arabia, as they will now require separate visas for each visit.
- Tourists who previously benefited from multiple-entry flexibility.
Additional Restrictions on Indian Workers
This visa change follows another strict rule introduced in January 2025, requiring Indian workers to undergo pre-verification of professional and academic qualifications before receiving a work visa. This move aims to streamline the hiring process and prevent visa misuse.
Temporary or Permanent Policy?
Saudi Arabia has called this suspension a temporary measure, but no timeline has been provided for a review. The government will monitor the impact before making further decisions.
What Should Travelers Do?
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised travelers to apply for visas well in advance to avoid last-minute disruptions. Passengers should also ensure compliance with the new visa rules to prevent travel complications.
Despite the restrictions, Saudi Arabia remains focused on expanding tourism under its Vision 2030 initiative, aiming to attract 7.5 million Indian visitors annually by the end of the decade. However, the new visa rules could temporarily slow down travel to the Kingdom.