There was widespread confusion across Nigeria yesterday following reports of new Saudi Arabian visa restrictions, sparking fears that the development could hinder the participation of Nigerian pilgrims in the 2025 Hajj.
The Federal Government, however, moved swiftly to dispel the growing panic, refuting viral claims that Nigeria had been placed on a list of countries banned from entering the Kingdom beginning April 13, 2025.
According to a notice widely circulated by Gulf-based media, Saudi Arabia announced a temporary suspension of short-term visa issuance to nationals from 14 countries, including Nigeria. The suspension, set to begin on April 13, affects visa categories such as single and multi-entry business visas, tourist e-visas, and family visit visas.
The other countries listed include Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, India, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Per the directive, individuals holding existing short-term visas from the affected countries may still enter Saudi Arabia before the effective date but must leave no later than April 29, 2025. Those who overstay risk penalties, including a five-year entry ban. The policy is expected to remain in effect through June, covering the peak of the Hajj season.
Saudi authorities said the move was intended to streamline travel and reduce the misuse of non-Hajj visas, especially after the 2024 pilgrimage season saw a record number of unauthorized pilgrims and over 1,300 fatalities—mostly due to extreme heat and logistical challenges.
The announcement triggered a wave of misinformation on Nigerian social media, with many interpreting the visa suspension as a blanket ban on Nigerian pilgrims.
However, a senior official at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) clarified to The Guardian that the restrictions do not apply to pilgrims registered under the official Hajj scheme. “This is not unusual. Countries often adjust their visa policies for operational reasons, particularly ahead of major religious events like Hajj,” the official explained.
The official further urged stakeholders to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Saudi embassy for accurate information.
In a separate statement released yesterday, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, dismissed the reports of a ban as false and misleading. He confirmed that the Saudi Tourism Centre had discredited the alleged directive, clarifying that the only travel restriction in place pertains to tourist visa holders during the Hajj season.
“For clarity, the only restriction applies to tourist visa holders during the Hajj season. Individuals holding a tourist visa are not permitted to perform Hajj, enter, or remain in Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025 (01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH),” the statement read.
The ministry reiterated that the Hajj visa remains the only valid document for pilgrims during the religious season and urged Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified information.
While the short-term visa suspension aligns with earlier Saudi measures in February 2025—when one-year multiple-entry visas for the same 14 countries were indefinitely halted—Nigerians traveling through NAHCON or accredited tour operators can proceed with preparations for the 2025 Hajj without concern.
