Hajj: Saudi Arabia suspends visa for Nigeria, 13 other countries

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended several types of visas for citizens of Nigeria and 13 other countries as part of measures to curb unauthorized pilgrimages ahead of the annual Hajj.

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

According to Saudi authorities, the suspension aims to prevent unregistered individuals from attempting the pilgrimage without official permits, which poses safety and logistical challenges.

While Umrah visa holders will still be allowed entry until April 13, the broader visa suspension is expected to remain in place until mid-June, when Hajj concludes.

Under Saudi Arabia’s quota system, each country is allocated a limited number of Hajj permits, typically distributed via a lottery.

However, due to the high cost of official packages, many resort to unauthorized travel arrangements.

Such unregistered pilgrims often lack access to essential amenities such as air-conditioned tents, healthcare services, and emergency medical care—making the physically demanding journey even riskier.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that the visa restrictions are intended to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during the Hajj.

It also warned that individuals found residing illegally in the Kingdom could face a five-year entry ban.

During the 2024 Hajj season, at least 1,301 pilgrims died – most from heat-related causes. The majority of the deceased did not hold official Hajj permits.

Saudi officials reported that around 400,000 unregistered pilgrims participated in the pilgrimage, with a significant number coming from Egypt.

In recent years, many pilgrims have overstayed their visas to join Hajj without official permits, contributing to overcrowding and raising safety concerns.

Authorities also cited concerns over individuals entering the country on business or family visas and then working illegally, a violation that disrupts the labor market and breaches visa conditions.

In other news, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have pledged to improve bilateral relations, particularly in agriculture, trade and economic opportunities.

This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between a delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by its Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Alfadley, and Nigerian officials on Thursday in Abuja.

The Nigerian delegation was led by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, was also present.

Kyari said that Nigeria had abundant agricultural potential and investment opportunities.

He said efforts were being made to boost food production for both domestic consumption and export to strengthen the economy.

He said the meeting aimed to strategically harness the opportunities, following discussions between President Bola Tinubu and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

Utsev, who highlighted the importance of water for irrigated agriculture, said that Nigeria was happy with the partnership and willing to provide all that was needed to enhance food production.

Utsev expressed optimism that the partnership would also benefit Nigeria in the area of sanitation and hygiene sector.

On his part, Abdulrazaq affirmed the readiness of Nigerian governors to allocate lands for agricultural purposes, emphasising the potential for domestic consumption and export.

In his remarks, Bagudu, said the partnership would benefit the two countries especially in the areas of economic development and job creation.

Alfadley echoed the commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on areas of comparative advantage such as agriculture, investment, and job creation.

Business community representatives also participated in the meeting, contributing to the dialogue on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

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