Saudi Arabia narrows e-transit visa eligibility and halts short-term entries ahead of Hajj 2025
Saudi Arabia has revised its e-stopover visa policy to allow access only to travelers from 18 approved countries, including Malaysia and Singapore. In a separate move, the Kingdom has temporarily suspended short-term visa issuance for 14 other nations to ease pre-Hajj congestion.
The latest visa revisions, reported by Cairo 24 and Gulf News, come as the Kingdom prepares for the annual Hajj pilgrimage season. The measures are aimed at managing crowd control and ensuring compliance with Saudi Arabia’s updated travel and immigration policies.
E-Stopover Visa Now Limited to 18 Countries
Saudi Arabia will now issue electronic stopover visas only to passengers traveling to or from a list of 18 countries designated as “Group A” by the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority. Among the eligible nations are Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, the US, UK, France, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Germany, and Thailand. Applicants must also hold and have previously used a valid visa for at least one of these countries to qualify.
The e-stopover visa allows a stay of up to 96 hours, commonly used by passengers performing Umrah during transit or visiting Saudi cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, and Madinah. Airline Saudia clarified that the added requirements are part of a broader initiative to streamline application processes and enhance border management.
Short-Term Visa Suspension for 14 Countries
In another policy shift, Saudi Arabia will temporarily stop issuing short-term visas—including e-tourist, business, and family visit visas—to nationals from 14 countries starting April 13, 2025. These include Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Jordan, Nigeria, Yemen, and six other countries. Valid visa holders from these nations must enter by April 13 and exit by April 29, 2025.
Saudi authorities attributed this decision to logistical challenges experienced during the previous Hajj season, particularly cases where pilgrims used non-Hajj-specific visas to enter the Kingdom. The suspension aims to prevent such issues from recurring and to prioritize pilgrims traveling through official Hajj channels.
Compliance and Enforcement Measures
Authorities have warned that anyone who remains in the Kingdom beyond the designated April 29 deadline will be deemed in violation of Saudi law. The move reflects growing scrutiny on visa misuse, especially as the Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of visitors annually, putting immense strain on infrastructure and immigration control systems.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also reiterated the importance of adhering to travel regulations, emphasizing that proper documentation and channels must be used for religious travel. Enforcement of the new rules will be handled in coordination with airlines, embassies, and immigration offices.
These changes carry significant implications for religious and leisure travelers, especially from Muslim-majority nations excluded from the revised list. With tighter visa control ahead of Hajj 2025, travelers from Southeast Asia and beyond must now plan with greater caution, ensuring they meet new eligibility criteria to avoid denial of entry or overstaying penalties.
Sources: Malay Mail (2025), The Express Tribune (2025)
Keywords: Saudi E Transit Visa, Short Term Visa Ban, Group A Nations, Pilgrimage Visa Policy
