Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – April 2025

Saudi Arabia has issued a temporary suspension on visa issuance for citizens from 14 countries, including Ethiopia, ahead of the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. The suspension applies to Umrah, business, and family visit visas, and will remain in effect until mid-June, according to diplomatic and official sources.

The affected countries include Ethiopia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. This decision is part of the Kingdom’s intensified efforts to ensure the safe and regulated execution of the Hajj pilgrimage, which draws millions of Muslims annually from across the globe.

For Ethiopian Muslims, the Hajj pilgrimage represents a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey, deeply rooted in religious and cultural tradition. Thousands travel to Mecca every year either for Hajj or Umrah, and the suspension has caused uncertainty for many who were preparing to depart in the coming weeks.

Families who had planned reunions, and business travelers scheduled for meetings in Saudi Arabia, are also facing disruptions. Travel agencies across Addis Ababa and regional cities like Dire Dawa and Jimma have reported a wave of cancellations and refund requests, and several pilgrims are now scrambling to understand the implications of the new rule.

Officials at the Saudi Embassy in Addis Ababa have confirmed that individuals already issued Umrah visas may still travel, but only until April 13, 2025. After that date, no new entries for these visa categories will be allowed until the suspension is lifted.

Saudi authorities have emphasized that the decision was not targeted at any specific nationality, but rather a precautionary measure to prevent misuse of visa categories. In previous years, some travelers—Ethiopians included—entered Saudi Arabia on business, family, or Umrah visas and remained in the country to perform Hajj without official authorization.

This created major challenges for Hajj organizers, including issues of overcrowding, increased pressure on accommodation and transportation systems, and serious public safety risks. In addition, some individuals have remained in the country beyond their legal stay, violating immigration laws and engaging in undocumented work, which further complicates Saudi Arabia’s labor and visa enforcement efforts.

By tightening visa regulations in the months leading to Hajj, Saudi officials aim to ensure that only those with valid Hajj permits are present during the pilgrimage season, reducing the risk of unauthorized participation and improving crowd management.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned that any individual found violating the visa conditions or overstaying beyond the permitted duration may face a five-year ban from entering the Kingdom. This applies equally to those who overstay Umrah, business, or family visit visas or attempt to join Hajj without official authorization.

Saudi Arabia’s immigration enforcement will also increase during this period, with heightened surveillance, more checkpoints, and tighter airport screening procedures to ensure compliance.

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council have acknowledged the suspension and advised citizens to remain calm and follow official updates. A spokesperson from the Ministry urged all affected travelers to verify their visa status before attempting to depart and to refrain from seeking alternate or unofficial routes to perform the pilgrimage.

“We encourage all Ethiopian Muslims to respect the rules of the host country and wait for the appropriate time and channels to resume travel,” the spokesperson said. “We are in active communication with our counterparts in Riyadh and will provide updates as soon as more information is available.”

Local travel agencies, which usually see a surge in bookings ahead of the Hajj season, have expressed concern over the economic and emotional impact of the ban. Several agencies have said they were caught off guard, especially with many customers already having made payments for travel packages, accommodations, and other logistics.

Community leaders within Ethiopia’s Muslim population, particularly in regions like Harar, Somali, and Oromia, are calling for calm and patience. “While this is deeply disappointing, especially for elders who may have saved for years to go on Hajj, we must respect the regulations of Saudi Arabia,” said Sheikh Abdulkarim Hassen, a religious leader based in Addis Ababa. “Let us use this time to reflect and prepare ourselves spiritually for when the opportunity returns.”

In a parallel move to improve the Hajj and Umrah experience, Saudi Arabia has launched a new digital guide available in 16 languages to assist pilgrims in planning their journey. While the guide does not yet include Amharic, it is accessible in Arabic, English, French, and other widely spoken languages.

The digital guide includes instructions on the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, health and safety precautions, travel tips, and downloadable PDFs and audio content through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s website.

Normal visa processing is expected to resume after mid-June 2025, depending on the situation and Saudi Arabia’s internal assessment. Until then, Ethiopian travelers are urged to:

This temporary measure serves as a reminder of the importance of following legal travel channels and the evolving nature of global mobility, especially during high-demand periods like Hajj. While this year’s plans may be disrupted for many, there remains hope that restrictions will lift in time for future pilgrimages and travel to resume smoothly.