Saudi Arabia restricts multiple-entry visas for 14 countries including Bangladesh

Dhaka : Saudi Arabia put in place a restriction on multiple-entry visas for 14 countries including Bangladesh from February 1, 2025.

The kingdom revoked one-year multiple-entry visas for nationals of 14 countries-Bangladesh, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. 

Under the revised rules, visitors from these nations can only apply for single-entry visas, valid for a maximum stay of 30 days. However, Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected.

With only single-entry visas now available to affected travelers, Saudi Arabia's tourism industry might face a drop in footfall. Hotel bookings are already being canceled in groups, travel packages are being revised, and business deals are at risk of collapse, as per reports.

The ban effectively limits business travelers, disrupts family visits, and makes tourism ventures far more cumbersome. Experts warn of declining revenues in airlines, hotels, and retail businesses that thrive on foreign spending.

Saudi officials claim the drastic visa policy shift is aimed at preventing unauthorized Hajj pilgrims and managing overcrowding. Multiple-entry visas, they argue, were being misused, with reports of travelers overstaying their welcome and performing Hajj without proper authorization.

This restriction effectively forces travelers to apply for single-entry visas, valid only for 30 days, making repeat visits far more difficult. Reports claimed that the move could be a means of increasing scrutiny over international travelers while boosting revenue through repeated visa applications.