Haj season: Saudi Arabia temporarily bans visas for 14 countries, including Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary visa ban on 14 countries, including Pakistan, ahead of the Haj season.

According to sources, the ban will apply to Umrah, business and family visas, with the restrictions likely to end in mid-June. Diplomatic sources said that Umrah visa holders can enter Saudi Arabia until April 13. They said that Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Yemen are included in the list.

According to sources, there could be a five-year restriction on staying in Saudi Arabia despite the ban. Diplomatic sources have stated that the Saudi government has officially informed Pakistan about this decision. They also mentioned that Pakistani Umrah visa holders have been instructed to return to their country by April 29.