Despite restrictions, Saudi Arabia continues to target 7.5 million Indian visitors annually by 2030 as part of its Vision 2030 initiative to expand tourism
Saudi Arabia has announced a major change in its visa policy, limiting visitors from India and 13 other countries to single-entry visas starting February 1, 2025, reported Business Standard.
The decision marks the indefinite suspension of the previous one-year multiple-entry visa system for tourism, business, and family visits.
Key Visa Changes:
- Only single-entry visas will be issued.
- Each visa will be valid for 30 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days.
- Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected.
- The rule applies to visitors from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Impact on Indian Travelers
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India remains one of Saudi Arabia’s largest sources of visitors
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In 2022, approximately 2.5 million Indians traveled to the kingdom, making any visa restrictions highly significant
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The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged travelers to apply for single-entry visas well in advance and comply with the new regulations to avoid travel disruptions
Reasons Behind the Policy Shift
Saudi authorities have attributed the change to the misuse of multiple-entry visas. Some travelers allegedly entered the country on long-term visas but stayed illegally for work or performed the Hajj pilgrimage without proper authorization.
Addressing Hajj Overcrowding Concerns
The Saudi government strictly regulates Hajj by allocating specific quotas to each country. The influx of unauthorized pilgrims has led to overcrowding, adding pressure on the system. In 2024, over 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat and congestion, with officials citing a significant number of unregistered pilgrims as a contributing factor. The new visa rules aim to reduce these risks and ensure only approved pilgrims participate in Hajj.
Future Review and Additional Restrictions
While the Saudi government has described the suspension of multiple-entry visas as temporary, no timeline has been provided for a review. Authorities plan to assess the impact of the new policy before considering any changes.
In addition to visa restrictions, Saudi Arabia has introduced stricter regulations for Indian workers. Since January 2025, Indian nationals applying for work visas must undergo pre-verification of their professional and academic qualifications before receiving approval.
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