Saudi Arabia has introduced a new visa policy limiting visitors from Nigeria and 13 other countries to single-entry visas.
The new regulation, which took effect this month, aims to prevent unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages and enhance the safety of those attending the religious event.
As a result, travellers from these affected countries will no longer be eligible for the one-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, or family visits.
According to TravelBiz, the suspension of multiple-entry visas applies to visitors from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Instead, Saudi Arabia will now issue only single-entry visas to travellers from these nations, valid for 30 days without the option of extension.
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The new visa restrictions apply to tourists, business travellers, and those visiting family members but do not affect individuals applying for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas.
Saudi authorities cited the misuse of multiple-entry visas as a key reason for the policy shift, noting that some visitors used long-term visas to stay illegally or participate in Hajj without proper authorization.
In response to the changes, the Saudi government has urged travellers from the affected nations to apply for their single-entry visas well ahead of their intended travel dates.
