Saudi Arabia has announced major changes to its visa policy, set to take effect on February 1, 2025, limiting travelers from 14 countries, including Ethiopia, to single-entry visas. The decision aims to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrims entering the country on long-term visit visas.

Ethiopia is among the nations affected by the new policy, which indefinitely suspends one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits. Ethiopian travelers, like those from the other impacted countries, will now only be eligible for single-entry visas.

Saudi Arabia enforces strict Hajj regulations, allocating a set pilgrimage quota for each country. However, in recent years, unauthorized pilgrims have used long-term visit visas to bypass these restrictions, leading to overcrowding. The crisis reached a peak in 2024, when over 1,200 people died due to extreme heat and congestion during the Hajj. Authorities identified unregistered pilgrims as a key factor contributing to these fatalities, prompting the latest visa restrictions.

Saudi authorities have indicated that the suspension of multiple-entry visas is a temporary measure, but they have not provided a timeline for review. The government plans to assess the impact of this policy before making further decisions.

Ethiopians planning to travel to Saudi Arabia should:

As Saudi Arabia continues to refine its visa policies, Ethiopian travelers must adjust to the new regulations to ensure smooth entry into the country.