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Saudi Arabia Clarifies Hajj Visa Curbs Do Not Target Indians

The Ministry of External Affairs says routine temporary suspensions on short-term visas will end when Hajj concludes

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Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring every physically and financially capable Muslim to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Reuters
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Overview

  • MEA officials confirm Saudi Arabia has issued no new travel restrictions specifically for Indian nationals during the 2025 Hajj season.
  • Temporary suspensions on work, visit and block visas are standard crowd-management measures in place until June 30.
  • India’s Foreign Ministry fact-checked and debunked reports of a 14-country block work visa ban affecting Indian travellers.
  • India secured a quota of 175,025 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj under a January agreement between its minority affairs minister and Saudi Arabia’s Hajj minister.
  • The quota system established by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in 1987 limits each country’s pilgrims to 0.1% of its population to ensure manageable numbers.