Saudi Arabia halts commercial visas for UAE Muslims during Hajj

Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the issuance of commercial and working visit visas for Muslim residents in the United Arab Emirates starting from August 7 as consular processing is suspended during the busy Hajj season.

The temporary suspension was decided by the Saudi authorities in order to regulate the activity of foreign nationals in the Kingdom during the Hajj season, immigration consultancy Fragomen UAE said in a statement Wednesday.

The restrictions do not apply to those holding invitation letters from cities other than Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah and non-Muslim residents may continue to apply for the relevant travel and business authorizations as usual, it said.

“The suspension of non-Hajj related visas is expected to be in place until the end of the pilgrimage season in September,” the statement added.