Saudi Arabia has suspended the issuance of online tourist visas for citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism confirming the move is a temporary measure linked to the Hajj season.

In a statement to Daryo, the Ministry explained that e-visa applications for Uzbek and Tajik citizens are unavailable from April 23 to June 9. During this period, travelers are required to apply for visas through Saudi embassies or authorized visa centers in their home countries.

Additionally, travelers holding valid Schengen, UK, or US visas, or residents of the European Union, United Kingdom, or United States, will still be able to obtain visas upon arrival at Saudi entry points.

The Saudi government has not issued a formal public announcement regarding the suspension.

Citizens of Uzbekistan were first granted access to Saudi Arabia’s electronic visa system in August 2023, allowing online applications for tourist and Umrah visas at a fee of $146. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days and permits religious and leisure travel across the country.

The temporary suspension comes amid preparations for the 2025 Hajj season, for which Uzbekistan has been allocated a quota of 15,000 pilgrims.

The decision follows recent incidents in Uzbekistan involving fraudulent Hajj services. In mid-April, a man in Tashkent was detained after allegedly accepting $23,600 to illegally send four people on the Hajj. Authorities have also cracked down on fake travel agencies operating in the capital.

Looking ahead, Uzbekistan plans to streamline the pilgrimage process by launching a “Single Portal for Hajj and Umrah” and its corresponding mobile application by September 1, 2025. The initiative aims to simplify services and reduce bureaucratic obstacles for citizens undertaking religious journeys.