Latest Hajj 2025 Update: Saudi Arabia Announces Ban on Children and Tightens Visa Rules

Saudi Arabia has announced drastic changes for its 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, including a new rule prohibiting children from accompanying pilgrims. 

According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, this decision was made to ensure the safety and well-being of children protecting them from the dangers of overcrowding during the Hajj pilgrimage. 

First-time pilgrims will also be given preference in the 2025 Hajj to give more Muslims the opportunity to travel to the holy sites at least once in their lives. 

The ministry has also created a new installment-based payment option for domestic pilgrims to ease the financial burden. Domestic pilgrims can pay for Hajj packages in three installments: a 20% deposit in the first 72 hours of making the reservation, followed by two equal payments of 40% by Ramadan 20 and Shawwal 20. 

The ministry emphasized that it will not confirm reservations until it has received full payment.

Saudi Arabia also announced major changes to its visa policies to curb unauthorized pilgrimages. Specifically, citizens from 14 countries will no longer be issued multiple-entry visas from February 1. 

Multiple-entry visas have been misused to perform Hajj without official authorization, leading to overcrowding and making it more challenging for authorities to manage the pilgrims’ movement and safety. 

The countries affected by the latest visa policy change are: 

1. Algeria
2. Bangladesh
3. Egypt 
4. Ethiopia 
5. India
6. Indonesia
7. Iraq
8. Jordan
9. Morocco 
10. Nigeria 
11. Pakistan 
12. Sudan
13. Tunisia
14. Yemen

Nationals from these countries will only be issued single-entry visas that will be valid for 30 days. 

The latest changes are part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to make the pilgrimage safer, better organized, and more accessible.