Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business and family visas for 14 countries including Pakistan ahead of the Hajj 2025 season. This visa restriction is expected to remain in place until mid June according to diplomatic sources. Pakistani Umrah visa holders can continue to enter Saudi Arabia until April 13 but are required to return back by April 29.
The other countries whose citizens were included in the ban are India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Yemen.
The Saudi government has officially informed Pakistan of this decision and the existing rule of a five year residency cap in Saudi Arabia continues despite the visa ban.
Meanwhile Pakistan Ministry of Religious Affairs has finalised the Hajj 2025 flight schedule.
The schedule has been uploaded to the Pak Hajj mobile application where pilgrims can check their flight details. The first group of flights will depart on April 29 from major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Multan.
All pilgrims are required to get vaccinated at their respective Haji camps at least ten days before their departure.
Additionally the second phase of Hajj training is set to begin on April 8 to make sure all pilgrims are fully prepared for the Hajj.
PIA has also announced its pre Hajj operations will run from April 29 to June 1.
The national carrier will operate 280 special flights transporting over 56,000 pilgrims registered under both government and private Hajj schemes.
PIA post Hajj return operations will begin on June 12 and continue until July 10.
A total of 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year.
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