On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted rumors that have been spreading online claiming Nigeria was added to a list of 14 nations subject to an entry ban in Saudi Arabia beginning April 13, 2025.
In a statement issued by the media advisor to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the ministry refuted these allegations, stating they were untrue. Additionally, officials from Saudi Arabia confirmed that no such entry restriction has been implemented.
The statement indicated that the Saudi Tourism Center refuted the circulating memorandum, which claimed that multiple nations such as Nigeria, Egypt, India, and Pakistan were subject to visa limitations, stating that this information was false.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly refutes the inaccurate assertions being circulated online suggesting that Nigeria has been placed on a list of nations subject to an entry ban into Saudi Arabia starting April 13, 2025.
“The Saudi Arabian authorities have officially denied the validity of this viral memo, which falsely claims that several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and others, would be subject to visa restrictions and an entry ban.
"The Saudi Tourism Center has stated that no such directive exists, and the only official travel guidelines presently enforced relate to the Hajj pilgrimage," the statement said.
The sole set of official travel guidelines presently enforced pertains to the Hajj pilgrimage, as the statement clarified.
The ministry stated that the sole limitation concerns tourists during the Hajj period. Specifically, from April 29 to June 11, 2025, those holding tourist visas will be prohibited from entering Makkah or undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage.
Individuals with a Hajj visa alone will be allowed to enter the area during this time frame.
The ministry advised Nigerians to ignore the inaccurate document and highlighted the significance of confirming travel details via official sources.
Travelers should refer to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or official Saudi government sources for current and reliable details.
For clarification, the sole limitation pertains to those with tourist visas during the Hajj period. People who hold a tourist visa are prohibited from performing Hajj, entering, or remaining in Makkah from April 29 to June 11, 2025 (which corresponds to 01 Thul Qada to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH).
The Hajj visa is still the only authorized entry permit for pilgrims during this time.
“The ministry urges the public to disregard the misleading document and to always verify travel information from official sources before taking action. Spreading unverified information can cause unnecessary confusion and disrupt travel plans.
"For current and reliable details, visitors are encouraged to refer to official Saudi governmental platforms, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or recognized diplomatic avenues," the statement concluded.
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