A viral social media post is circulating online claiming that Saudi Arabia has banned visas for Indian citizens. The post is being shared with accusations that the Modi government has completely failed in managing foreign relations.
Congress leader Pawan Khera wrote, ‘Saudi Arabia suspending visas for 14 countries, including India, is just the latest blow in a steady collapse of India’s foreign policy under Modi.’
Saudi Arabia suspending visas for 14 countries, including India, is just the latest blow in a steady collapse of India’s foreign policy under Modi.
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) June 9, 2025
China blocked naming the attackers at the UN. Pakistan won the backing from China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Malaysia, all…
Ranvijay Singh claimed, ‘Saudi Arabia has banned work visas for Indian citizens.’
सऊदी अरब ने भारत के नागरिकों के लिए वर्क वीजा पर रोक लगा दी है.
— Ranvijay Singh (@ranvijaylive) June 9, 2025
Ravinder Kapur stated, ‘Narendra Modi’s failed Foreign Policy with so many awkward forced hugs and planned visits goes for a toss. “Saudi Arabia imposes visa ban on 14 countries including India”
Narendra Modi's failed Foreign Policy with so many awkward forced hugs and planned visits goes for a toss.
— Ravinder Kapur. (@RavinderKapur2) June 10, 2025
“Saudi Arabia imposes visa ban on 14 countries including India”#Islamophobia pic.twitter.com/ZnFKdxytq0
Manish RJ, Vijay Singh, and Mysore Congress Sevadal made a similar claim.
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Fact Check
We began our fact-checking process by examining credible media reports related to the claim. We found a fact-check post by the Ministry of External Affairs on X, which clarified that the Saudi government has not issued any notification regarding a visa ban for Indians. It further stated that, as a matter of practice, Saudi Arabia imposes temporary restrictions on short-term visas during the Hajj season to avoid overcrowding. These restrictions are lifted once the pilgrimage concludes.
CLAIM: Saudi Arabia temporarily suspends issuance of block work visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India.
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) June 9, 2025
This CLAIM is FALSE.
FACT: The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are… pic.twitter.com/8dkJddhj3y
According to a report by Hindustan Times published on June 9, 2025, government sources confirmed that reports of a travel ban on Indians are incorrect. The Saudi government had not issued any such notification. Instead, Saudi Arabia had temporarily suspended block work visas for 14 countries including India and Bangladesh, during the recently concluded Hajj season. This move was aimed at preventing visa misuse and unauthorized participation in the pilgrimage, an issue that had become prominent in the previous year. The affected countries included India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Tunisia.
We also referred to a report by Arab Times published on April 8, 2025, which noted that Saudi Arabia had announced new travel restrictions, suspending the issuance of certain visa categories to citizens of the same 14 countries. However, this restriction did not apply to Indian pilgrims traveling for Hajj, provided they had obtained the appropriate Hajj visa. Individuals holding valid Hajj permits or intending to obtain one were allowed to travel to Mecca and Medina for the pilgrimage. Under the new guidelines, Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of the 14 affected countries will be suspended starting April 13, 2025. Following this date, no new visas will be issued to nationals from these countries. The suspension was aimed specifically at curbing unauthorized entries by individuals attempting to perform Hajj without registration and to manage the large crowds during the pilgrimage season. The affected visa categories included Umrah, business, and family visit visas. The suspension was set to remain in place until mid-June 2025, coinciding with the end of the Hajj.
Furthermore, a Live Mint report published on June 9, 2025, stated that the Hajj pilgrimage for 2025 had concluded with more than 1.6 million Muslims from over 150 countries participating. With the end of Hajj, the temporary suspension of short-term visas for the 14 affected countries, including India, was lifted. The report reiterated that the April visa restrictions were introduced to manage overcrowding and prevent unauthorized pilgrimages. In 2024, over 1,300 pilgrims had died during Hajj, many of whom were unregistered and lacked access to official amenities, prompting stricter controls this year.
In conclusion, the claim that Saudi Arabia has banned visas for Indian citizens is false. The visa suspension was temporary, lasted from April 13 to June 9, 2025, and was implemented to manage crowd control during the Hajj pilgrimage. The restrictions have since been lifted following the completion of Hajj 2025.
| Claim | Saudi Arabia has banned visas for Indians |
| Claimed by | Pawan Khera, Ranvijay Singh, and others |
| Fact Check | Saudi Arabia had temporarily suspended certain visa categories for India and 13 other countries from April 13 to June 9, 2025, coinciding with the Hajj season. The move aimed to prevent overcrowding and unauthorized participation in the pilgrimage. This precautionary measure followed the tragic deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj. The restriction was lifted after the completion of Hajj 2025. |
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