Authorities address Saudi Arabia’s temporary ban on Uzbek e-visas

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Saudi Arabia allocates 15,000 Hajj quotas to Uzbekistan for 2025

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended electronic visas for Uzbek citizens, a decision that has raised concerns about travel restrictions. QALAMPIR.UZ reached out to Ahror Burhonov, press secretary of the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, for clarification.

Burhonov explained that the suspension is aimed at regulating the movement of Hajj pilgrims, ensuring that entry and exit procedures are properly managed. He emphasized that this is only a temporary measure, and Uzbek citizens are expected to regain access to electronic visas once the Hajj season concludes.

Uzbek citizens were first granted online access to Saudi tourist visas in August 2023, but currently, the e.visa portal no longer offers this option to Uzbekistan. However, citizens of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan still retain the ability to apply for electronic visas.

Since April 29, Saudi Arabia has begun imposing fines and deportations on individuals performing Hajj without proper authorization, along with those assisting unauthorized pilgrims. Violators may be fined up to 20,000 Saudi riyals (approximately $5,300 USD).