Saudi Arabia is preparing for the Hajj season. And the country has already imposed visa bans on 13 countries, including Bangladesh. Although this ban is not permanent; rather, it may remain in place until mid-June.
This step has been taken as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to control the arrival of pilgrims during the busy Hajj season and ensure smooth facilitation of religious duties.
Visa issuance for travelers from the listed countries will be temporarily suspended. This suspension includes various visas, including Umrah, business, and family visas. However, those who have Umrah visas will be able to enter Saudi Arabia until April 13. After this date, no Umrah visa holder will be able to enter Saudi Arabia.
There may be diplomatic reasons other than the upcoming Hajj season behind the visa ban. Leaving aside diplomatic calculations, two main reasons come to the fore. In previous years, many people entered Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season with valid visas and participated in the Hajj illegally. This led to overcrowding and security problems.
Saudi authorities want to avoid such problems every year. So they take various steps during the Hajj season. For example, last year, the Saudi Arabian government banned visit visa holders and tourists from performing Hajj and entering Mecca. Similarly, temporary visa holders such as student visas or Schengen visas were also ordered to refrain from performing Hajj. It was clearly stated that to get permission to perform Hajj, a person must have a Saudi Hajj visa or obtain a Hajj permit.
That year, visit visa holders and tourists were banned from entering Mecca from May 23 to June 21. Similarly, Saudi citizens who do not have a Hajj permit were also forbidden from entering Mecca.
Another reason for controlling foreign citizens during the Hajj season is that many people use business and family visas to work illegally in Saudi Arabia. This creates chaos in the country's labor policy and market.
Sources in various Pakistani media outlets, which have received visa bans, say that this temporary suspension of visa issuance has also been taken to ensure security during the Hajj season. There is no alternative to this to ensure the smooth flow of large crowds in Saudi Arabia during Hajj.
It is expected that Saudi Arabia will issue some other directives, as in previous years, in addition to the visa ban on 13 countries. Penalties will also be imposed for non-compliance.
