Saudi Arabia Clears the Air: No Travel Restrictions for Indians

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Reports of Indians being banned from travelling to Saudi Arabia are false and the Saudi government has not issued any notification in this regard, government sources said on Monday. This clarification came after reports claimed that the Saudi government has banned Indians from travelling there.

The Saudi government says that they have not issued any notification related to this. All these news are completely false. According to media reports, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said that no ban has been imposed on Indians for traveling to Saudi Arabia. Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs say that Saudi Arabia has not issued any such notification. The country has imposed a temporary ban on short-term visas to prevent overcrowding during Hajj as per old tradition. Which will expire with the completion of Hajj. Actually, earlier media reports said that Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended block work visas for many countries including India. It was told that this decision was taken from security and administrative point of view. This is because there is a problem in managing pilgrims and immigration compliance during the Hajj period. The travel ban will remain in force till June 30.

1.75 lakh pilgrims are going from India for Haj 2025. This time India has been allotted a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims. Earlier on January 13, 2025, the major agreement was signed in Jeddah by India's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Haj and Umrah, His Excellency Dr. Tawfiq bin Fauzan Al-Rabiah.