Visa Suspension Announced Before Hajj 2025
Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended Umrah, family visits, and business visit visas for pilgrims from 14 nations. Countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are a few on the list. The visa ban discourages unauthorized people from performing Hajj without registering. The move also avoids large crowds during the pilgrimage season.
The suspension will last until mid-June 2025, the end of the Hajj pilgrimage season. This step comes after criticism after the 2024 Hajj, during which over 1,000 pilgrims were reported to have died of congestion and heatstroke.
Work Visa and Residency Permit Not Affected
Kindly note that this suspension of visas does not extend to those entering the country on work visas or for pre-existing residency permits. If you are looking to apply for a job in Saudi Arabia, you may go ahead with your application and GAMCA medical registration as usual.
Medical processing or visa issuance for foreign workers coming to Saudi Arabia to work will face no problem. If your visa is in the work category, complete your GAMCA medical registration as early as possible.
Hajj Visa Holders Don't Need a GAMCA Medical Test
Apart from this, the suspension will not impact the Hajj pilgrims under a valid Hajj permit. However, please remember that Hajj visas do not require a GAMCA medical certificate since such visas are issued purely for pilgrimage, not residence or employment.
If you arrive solely for the Hajj and possess the requisite religious clearance, you are exempt from the GAMCA medical procedure.
Plan Your GAMCA Medical Registration
GAMCA medical registration remains mandatory for individuals applying for Saudi work visas. Note that the GAMCA medical fitness report expires 90 days from the date issued. Ensure your medical tests align with your visa processing schedule to avoid unnecessary delays.
If your visa category is on the list of temporary suspensions, please wait. For example, we recommend waiting until Saudi Arabia lifts the ban before booking your GAMCA medical appointment for those visas. Scheduling a GAMCA test before this could make your report out of date before a visa is issued.
Countries Affected by the Temporary Suspension
This short-term visa issuance ban targets India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, etc. The press release also indicates that visa issuances in these impacted categories lapsed on April 13, 2025, and would resume only after the Hajj pilgrimage period.
Schedule your GAMCA medical appointment today!
Stay Informed: GAMCA Medical Appointments
With the official rules changing, you would prefer to stay updated and make proper choices about your travel and visa process. We at GAMCA Medical Appointments guide you through each step of your medical test process with attention and precision.
We can assist if you are unsure whether your visa category needs GCC medical or when to plan. All visitors must confirm their visa category and processing time before registering for GAMCA medical.
For more advice and convenient medical registration, call GAMCA Medical Appointments — your reliable partner for secure GCC employment travel.
