Saudi Arabia tightens visa rules for Nigeria, 13 other countries over alleged misuse

Saudi Arabia has imposed new visa restrictions on travelers from Nigeria and 13 other countries, limiting them to single-entry visas valid for only 30 days.

This move, which affects tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family members, does not apply to applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas. Other countries impacted by the policy include Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Saudi authorities justified the decision by citing concerns over the misuse of multiple-entry visas. According to officials, some travelers have exploited these visas to remain in the country illegally or participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage without proper authorization.

The kingdom maintains strict quotas for Hajj pilgrims to manage crowd control, but unauthorized attendees have reportedly contributed to overcrowding. In 2024, more than 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and congestion, a crisis that officials believe was worsened by unregistered participants.