New Delhi, April 7 -- Ahead of the Hajj 2025 season, Saudi Arabia has temporarily stopped issuing certain visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The suspension, which affects Umrah, business, and family visit visas, will remain in effect until mid-June - around the end of the annual pilgrimage.

The countries affected by the suspension include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.

According to reports, the move aims to prevent unregistered individuals from attempting to perform Hajj without proper authorization. In past years, many foreigners entered Saudi Arabia using Umrah or visit visas and stayed on illegally...