Diplomatic Correspondent: Saudi Arabia has announced new restrictions on Hajj visas. According to the Hajj and Umrah Ministry, visa holders can only travel to the cities of Jeddah, Madinah and Makkah and pilgrims can only perform the holy Hajj.
Gulf News reported that only Jeddah, Madinah and Makkah cities can be travelled through this visa during the Hajj season.
Those carrying Hajj visas cannot travel outside the city at that moment. Violation of the restrictions may result in the person being deported or banned from future Hajj.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has clarified that all international visitors, who require a Hajj permit, except for GCC countries, must have a Hajj visa. According to the new rules, the Hajj visa is valid only for the duration of the Hajj season 2024 and the visa holders are prohibited from residing, performing Umrah or any form of employment (paid or unpaid) during this period.
To facilitate the process, the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now offers electronic registration for Hajj visas through the visa platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application process includes instructions for logging into the Visa platform, selecting the appropriate service, and uploading the required documents. The application process is usually completed within three working days.