There has been confusion among Nigerians over the implications of Saudi Arabia’s recent visa restrictions as some expressed fear that the new policy may affect participation in the 2025 Hajj.
The Saudi government, in a notice widely circulated by Gulf-based media, announced a temporary suspension of short-term visa issuance to nationals from 14 countries, including Nigeria.
The suspension, which takes effect from April 13, 2025, affects various visa categories, including single and multi-entry business visas, tourist e-visas, and family visit visas.
Other countries affected by the new directive include Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, India, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
According to the directive, holders of existing short-term Saudi visas from the affected countries may still travel to the Kingdom before April 13, but must exit no later than April 29, 2025.
Failure to comply may attract penalties, including a potential five-year entry ban.
The ban is expected to remain in effect through June when the Hajj season concludes.
Saudi authorities said the policy is part of efforts to regulate travel ahead of the Hajj season, following concerns over overcrowding and misuse of non-pilgrimage visas during the 2024 exercise, which recorded a high number of fatalities due to extreme heat and logistical strain.
During the 2024 Hajj season, at least 1,301 pilgrims died, most from heat-related causes. The majority of the deceased did not hold official Hajj permits.
Under Saudi Arabia’s quota system, each country is allocated a limited number of Hajj permits, typically distributed via a lottery.
However, due to the high cost of official packages, many resort to unauthorized travel arrangements
The announcement has triggered a wave of misinformation across social media platforms in Nigeria with many interpreting the policy as a blanket ban on Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.
When contacted by The Guardian, an official of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said the development was not unusual, noting that “countries often tweak visa policies to achieve specific objectives.”
The official, however, advised stakeholders to seek further clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Saudi authorities.
The Guardian gathered that the restriction does not apply to pilgrims properly registered under the official Hajj scheme facilitated by NAHCON or approved tour operators.
Despite the ban, Nigerians intending to perform Hajj through authorised channels will still be granted access to the Kingdom during the pilgrimage window.
Saudi officials noted that the measure is targeted at curbing unauthorised entry of individuals using visit or Umrah visas to participate in Hajj an act that has contributed to overcrowding and unregulated pilgrim activity in recent years.
The visa suspension also aligns with earlier restrictions imposed in February 2025, which limited travel from the same 14 countries to single-entry visas valid for only 30 days and indefinitely suspended one-year multiple-entry visas.