• Source:JND
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Amid swirling social media claims and viral reports suggesting a travel ban on Indian nationals, government sources have firmly clarified that Saudi Arabia has not imposed any ban on Indian travellers. The confusion arose after Riyadh temporarily suspended certain categories of short-term visas during the Hajj season, a routine measure aimed at regulating the flow of pilgrims and preventing overcrowding. According to a report by PTI, officials confirmed that these seasonal restrictions do not amount to a travel ban and end with the conclusion of Hajj.

Temporary restrictions on short-term visas during the Hajj season are a routine measure put in place to regulate the massive flow of pilgrims and prevent overcrowding. These measures typically conclude with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.

"Reports suggesting a ban on Indians travelling to Saudi Arabia are inaccurate. The Saudi government has not issued any such notification," a source familiar with the matter told PTI.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended block work visa issuance for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Libya, Kenya, and Turkey. While the decision was not formally published by Saudi authorities, it was reportedly taken due to concerns over immigration compliance and the misuse of non-Hajj visas.

Seasonal Restrictions, Not A Travel Ban

Authorities clarified that this pause in certain visa categories is not a blanket travel ban. It is a seasonal step commonly implemented by Saudi Arabia in the weeks leading up to and during the Hajj pilgrimage. The objective is to prevent illegal or unauthorised participation in Hajj rituals by individuals entering the kingdom on other types of visas.

Among the visa categories temporarily affected are:

  • Umrah visa
  • Business visa
  • Family visit visa

Saudi officials have expressed concern over cases where individuals used Umrah or family visit visas to enter the country and overstayed to perform Hajj, bypassing official pilgrimage quotas and regulations.

“Such seasonal measures are designed to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of Hajj,” a senior Indian official said. “They are lifted after the pilgrimage ends.”

Hajj 2024: A Massive Turnout

In 2024, Saudi Arabia welcomed over 1.83 million Hajj pilgrims, including 1.6 million from 22 foreign countries. An additional 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents also participated in the pilgrimage, according to the Saudi Hajj authorities.

The annual pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is known to attract millions of Muslims from around the world, necessitating strict crowd control and immigration protocols.

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