Saudi Arabia Tightens E-Stopover Visas to 18 Countries, Suspends Short-Term Entry for 14 Others Ahead of Haj

Saudi Arabia has drawn a clear line in the sand ahead of the 2025 Haj season. A sweeping update to its visa rules now restricts e-stopover eligibility to just 18 countries — including Malaysia — while pausing short-term entry for citizens from 14 others, sparking confusion and urgency across several regions.

With the clock ticking toward April 13, the last day for Umrah pilgrims to enter the Kingdom, travelers and agencies are scrambling to adapt. The changes, confirmed by both Cairo24 and Gulf News, have left many questioning the sudden shift and its broader implications for mobility, tourism, and religious travel.

Who’s In and Who’s Out

It’s not a complete shutdown — but it’s a selective one.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority has categorized eligible countries under “Group A,” allowing only their citizens to apply for e-stopover visas moving forward. Malaysia made the cut. So did the US, UK, Canada, and a handful of European and Asian nations.

Here’s the full list of countries still eligible for e-stopover access:

• Malaysia

• United States

• United Kingdom

• Canada

• France

• Germany

• Austria

• Cyprus

• Greece

• Italy

• Netherlands

• Spain

• Switzerland

• China (including Hong Kong and Macau)

• Turkey

• Singapore

• Maldives

• Mauritius

Citizens from these countries must also hold a valid visa to at least one of the others on the list — and they need to have used it at least once before. That’s a new layer added by national carrier Saudia to ensure applicants are genuinely vetted and have travel history.

Just one sentence here: Those who don’t meet both conditions are out of luck.

14 Countries Face Temporary Visa Freeze

Alongside the update, the Kingdom has temporarily suspended issuing all short-term entry visas for 14 countries.

Business trips, family visits, and tourist entries? All off the table until further notice. Affected travelers still holding valid visas can enter before April 13 but must exit no later than April 29.

The suspension hits some of the most populous Muslim-majority nations hardest:

• India

• Pakistan

• Indonesia

• Egypt

• Bangladesh

• Iraq

• Jordan

• Yemen

• Sudan

• Algeria

• Tunisia

• Morocco

• Nigeria

• Libya

This move has stirred frustration among visa applicants and tour operators in those regions, many of whom were preparing for spring visits or last-minute Umrah plans.

What’s Behind the Shift?

Saudi Arabia hasn’t given a detailed public explanation, but timing speaks volumes. The new visa restrictions coincide with final preparations for Haj — set to begin in mid-June.

Officials are likely bracing for the influx of millions of pilgrims and attempting to streamline arrivals, reduce processing backlogs, and minimize overcrowding.

Two sentences here: This isn’t the first time Saudi has implemented a pre-Haj visa freeze. But this year’s sudden enforcement — with less than a week’s notice — is catching many off guard.

In recent years, the Kingdom has been actively modernizing its visa system. E-visas, Umrah portals, and the “Nusuk” app were all part of its digital transformation. But even as it opens new doors, others are being shut — albeit temporarily.

Malaysia Stays in the Loop

For Malaysians, there’s at least some good news. The country’s inclusion in the privileged “Group A” list means e-stopover travel remains possible, provided travelers meet all the new requirements.

Malaysia has long had strong ties with Saudi Arabia — not just diplomatically, but spiritually too. Every year, tens of thousands of Malaysian pilgrims head to Mecca and Medina.

One paragraph break here to catch our breath.

Still, travel agencies warn that even with Malaysia’s inclusion, these changes aren’t small potatoes. Last-minute travelers are now at risk of rejection if their visa history doesn’t align with the new prerequisites.

Airlines, Agencies, and App Woes

Airlines are racing to update their systems. Saudia, the national carrier, was among the first to clarify that visa holders must prove prior entry into eligible countries. But what about layovers? Business travelers? The lines are still blurry.

Agencies, meanwhile, are reporting higher than usual cancellations and panicked inquiries. Some travelers fear they may be stranded mid-transit or denied boarding if their documents don’t line up with the new matrix.

Here’s what travelers now need to ensure:

• A passport from a Group A country

• A valid visa to another Group A country

• Prior entry proof to that visa-issuing country

• Transit through Saudi Arabia en route to/from another country

There’s been no official word yet on when or if the short-term visa freeze will lift. But insiders suggest it’ll last at least until Haj concludes in late June or early July.

What This Means Going Forward

Saudi Arabia has big goals for religious tourism — aiming to welcome 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. But that ambition comes with growing pains.

Balancing crowd control with visa liberalization is proving tricky. One minute, it’s open skies and app-based bookings. The next, it’s restrictions and last-minute cutoffs.

Here’s a look at how the visa rules have shifted over time:

Just one more thought here: With Haj less than 70 days away, expect more tweaks to come — and maybe even more restrictions.