Dhaka/Islamabad, 6 April 2025: Saudi Arabia has once again tightened the visa rules and imposed a temporary ban on citizens of 14 countries including Bangladesh and Pakistan. Under this decision, the issuance of Umrah, business and family visas will remain closed till June. The Saudi government has made it clear that those who violate the rules may be denied entry into the country for five years. This move has sparked a wave of concern among travelers and workers from the affected countries. What is the reason behind this ban, and how deep will its impact be? Let’s investigate this.

Sudden ban on 14 countries
The 14 countries on which Saudi Arabia has imposed visa ban include Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Yemen, Tunisia and Morocco. Diplomatic sources have revealed that this step has been taken to make the Hajj season safe and orderly. A Saudi Foreign Ministry official said, “This ban is temporary and will remain in force till mid-June. Our aim is to reduce the congestion and security challenges caused by illegal travelers during Hajj.”

Every year millions of people travel to Saudi Arabia from the countries included in this list. But now this ban can create problems for them. Mohammad Hasan, a travel agent from Dhaka, said, “Many people going for Hajj and Umrah are worried. Especially those who were preparing in advance, their plans are now hanging in the balance.”

What is the reason for the ban?

This decision of Saudi Arabia was not taken suddenly. The death of more than 1,200 pilgrims in the 2024 Hajj season last year caught the attention of the world. Investigation revealed that most of these people had arrived to perform Hajj illegally. Many travelers entered Saudi Arabia using multiple-entry visas and reached the holy sites without registration. Not only did this increase the crowd, but there was also loss of life and property due to heat and chaos.

Apart from this, Saudi labor policy was also being affected. According to diplomatic sources, some people were working there on business and family visas, which is against the rules. A Saudi official said, “Our goal is to make Haj safe, as well as control the problem of illegal workers.” This step is also being considered a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which emphasizes order and transparency.

Punishment is certain if rules are broken

The Saudi government has strictly warned that if anyone is found living illegally in the country during the ban, he will have to face severe punishment. This includes a minimum entry ban of five years. Along with this, there is also a provision for fine and legal action. A diplomatic source said, “It is mandatory to follow the new rules. Those who have already taken Umrah visa are exempted from entry till April 13, but there will be no concession after that.” Expressing concern, Abdul Rehman, a laborer from Islamabad, said, “I have been working in Saudi Arabia for the last five years. Now with the visa being stopped, it will be difficult to run the family expenses.” His words reflect the pain of thousands of people who depend on the Saudi economy.

Way forward

Saudi officials have assured that if the situation remains normal, the visa process can start again from mid-June. At present, it has been advised to register for Haj and Umrah through official channels. The Saudi Tourism Center also clarified that this ban is only to stop unauthorized travelers, not to harass legitimate travelers.

Shahnaz Begum, a female pilgrim from Dhaka, said, “We should respect the rules. If this makes Haj safe, then it is the right step.” Her statement reflects the sentiment that is trying to understand the intention behind this decision.

What will be the impact?

This ban is a big blow to countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, from where millions of people go to Saudi Arabia every year for work and pilgrimage. Experts believe that this will not only cause trouble to the passengers, but will also affect the economy of both the countries. But this step of Saudi Arabia is a strong message towards maintaining the sanctity and security of Haj. Will this experiment be successful, or will it give rise to new controversies? This question is still unanswered, but the coming months will reveal its truth.