Saudi Arabia temporarily suspends issuing e-visas for Uzbeks

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has announced that it has temporarily suspended e-visa services for citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and about a dozen other countries. The ability to obtain e-visas through the online portal is currently blocked.

This measure is reportedly being used to prevent unauthorized pilgrimages during the Hajj season.

"The electronic visa service will not be available from April 23 to June 9. During this period, travelers can obtain visas through Saudi Arabian embassies or authorized agencies in their countries," the ministry said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia had previously suspended issuing e-visas to citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Egypt, due to an increase in cases of citizens of these countries entering the country for the purpose of Umrah and participating in the Hajj pilgrimage illegally.

For your information, 15,000 quotas have been allocated for Uzbekistan for the 2025 Hajj season. The Hajj pilgrimage in Uzbekistan is organized only through the Committee for Religious Affairs and the Office of Muslims.

We would like to remind you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan has recently warned that the increasing number of violations committed by our compatriots in the UAE could affect the visa-free regime with the emirate.