Hajj 2025: Temporary visa suspension for Indians lifted as over 1.6 million Muslims conclude Mecca pilgrimage

Hajj 2025: The Hajj 2025 has concluded with over 1.6 million Muslims from more than 150 nations visiting Mecca to pray during the annual Islamic pilgrimage, the Saudi Arabian authorities said on 9 June.

As many as 1.75 lakh Indian Muslims had registered for the Hajj pilgrimage this year. This included 1.2 lakh pilgrims who were arranged through a government quota managed by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs through the Hajj Committee of India. The remaining pilgrims (over 50,000 pilgrims) were supposed to travel through Private Tour Operators.

“Hajj 2025 was not just a logistical milestone—it was a glimpse of what the future of pilgrimage can and should be,” said Dr Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah said in a statement on June 9.

The Hajj is a must for those Muslims who can afford the travel costs to Saudi Arabia from their home countries.

“Serving over 1.6 million pilgrims with more than 130 digital services, expanding emergency care by 60 percent, and deploying over 20,000 buses and trains isn’t only about scale—it’s about reimagining the experience itself. Our goal is to make every journey to the holy sites not only safe, but seamless, inclusive, and spiritually enriching. This year was a step forward—and we are already building what comes next,” he said.

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam in Saudi Arabia, which houses the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, is performed during a particular period.

The Hajj pilgrimage is held annually between the 8th and 13th days of Zil-Hajj, the 12th and final month on the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the corresponding Gregorian calendar dates of Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia were between 4 June and 9 June.

The main Hajj rituals culminate with the commemoration of Eid al-Adha which falls on 10th Zil-Hajj or June 6 in Saudi Arabia this year. In India Eid al-Adha was on 7 June. Eid al-Adha is the day when the animal sacrifice takes place to honour the act of Prophet Ibrahim several 100 years ago. 

Temporary suspension of Visas over

With the conclusion of Hajj 2025, the temporary suspension on short-term visas for 14 countries including India is over too.

In April, to curb unauthorised Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel, Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco.

This temporary restriction was to avoid overcrowding during the Hajj 2025. In the past, people have travelled to Saudi Arabia on short-term visas and entered Mecca without official permission for the Hajj. Authorities said that many of those who died in the heat during the 2024 Hajj were unregistered and unable to access air-conditioned pilgrim amenities.

The restriction was basically a temporary suspension of the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 nations. This measure was in effect until mid-June 2025, when the Hajj pilgrimage concluded.

The Indian government clarified on 9 June that temporary restrictions on short-term visas will end after the Hajj season is over.

"As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are temporary restrictions on short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which end with the conclusion of Hajj," a government source told news agency PTI.

Many pilgrims also visit the city of Medina, home to the Prophet Muhammad’s tomb and the second-holiest site in Islam. While not an official part of the Hajj, visiting Medina remains a significant spiritual experience for many devout Muslims.

Hajj 2026 Preparation Begins

With the successful conclusion of this year’s Hajj, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has initiated preparations for Hajj 2026.

“This underscores the Kingdom's commitment to elevating the pilgrim experience under the visionary leadership of its Custodian of the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina,” the June 9 statement said.

Hajj offices across the globe have received the initial operational plans for Hajj 2026, reflecting the Kingdom’s sacred responsibility in serving the guests of Allah with excellence, care, and dedication, it said.

(With PTI inputs)