Saudi Arabia has introduced new visa regulations that will affect travelers from 14 countries, including Nigeria. Under the new rules, visitors from these nations will only be eligible for single-entry visas valid for 30 days, with no option for extension.
The affected travelers include those visiting for tourism, business, and family purposes. However, the restrictions do not apply to those seeking Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas. The countries impacted by the policy are Nigeria, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Saudi authorities noted that the decision was made due to concerns over visa misuse. Some travelers reportedly used multiple-entry visas to stay in the country beyond the permitted period or to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage without proper authorization.
The Saudi government strictly controls the number of Hajj pilgrims allowed from each country, setting quotas to manage crowd sizes. Unauthorized attendees have been blamed for overcrowding, which has led to safety concerns. In 2024, over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and congestion, a crisis authorities believe was worsened by unregistered individuals.
