Saudi Arabia has imposed a single-entry visa restriction on Nigeria and 13 other countries, limiting stays to 30 days per visit.
The new policy applies to tourists, business travelers, and visitors to family members, but excludes applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas.
Affected Countries
Alongside Nigeria, the affected nations include:
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Yemen
Reason for Visa Restriction
Saudi authorities cited the misuse of multiple-entry visas, stating that some travelers have overstayed illegally or participated in Hajj without authorization.
The kingdom enforces a strict Hajj quota per country, and unauthorized pilgrims have contributed to overcrowding at the annual pilgrimage.
Temporary Measure with No Clear Timeline
Officials described the suspension of multiple-entry visas as a temporary measure, though no timeline for review has been provided.
The decision comes ahead of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, following the 2024 Hajj tragedy, where over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and congestion, which authorities believe was worsened by unregistered attendees.
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