- Saudi Arabia is reportedly enforcing a suspension of its visa-on-arrival facility for passport holders from 14 countries, although conflicting claims persist over whether the restriction is temporary or remains in force beyond the Hajj season
- While some travellers said they were recently denied boarding because of the policy, others, including Bashir Ahmad, argued that the circular being shared was an old Hajj-related directive
- Legit.ng contacted the Saudi Tourism Centre for clarification, which has now been added to this report
Saudi Arabia has reportedly suspended its visa-on-arrival facility for citizens of 14 nations with immediate effect.
Ibironke Khadeejah Quadri, @ronkecarew, a Nigerian based in the UK, stated this on X, noting that one of her persons was affected by the policy.
Source: Twitter
If you are planning Umrah from the UK with a UK Visa on a Nigerian Passport, please get Your Tourist Visa or any suitable ones before you travel. VISA ON ARRIVAL is currently suspended for Nigerian passport holders. One of my persons was affected today, so I know it's been enforced. Please don't be caught out," she posted on X.
Ms Quadri shared an internal circular from the immigration authorities which stated that the restriction will remain in place until further notice. Passengers holding standard tourist visas issued directly by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia beforehand are exempted from the ban, according to the circular she shared.
Saudi Arabia: 14 countries reportedly affected by visa-on-arrival policy?
The purported official list of prohibited nations spans across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The specific countries affected by the suspension are:
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Tunisia
- Algeria
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Nigeria
- Indonesia
- Ethiopia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- India
- Iraq
Conflicting claims trail alleged Saudi Visa-on-Arrival suspension
While Ms Quadri insisted that she personally witnessed the development and said others shared similar experiences, former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, and others disputed the claim.
While some social media users claimed the suspension applied only during the Hajj period, others maintained it remains in effect. Among them was an aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, @Riddwane, who said he was affected by the rule two weeks earlier.
Reacting to Ms Quadri's post, ADEMOLA, @BaakiAdemola, said:
"This post is just for the Hajj period only, please."
However, @Riddwane said:
"No oo… I was personally affected by the rule two weeks ago. The suspension is indefinite."
Nevertheless, Ahmad claimed that the document shared by Ms Quadri was old. He posted:
"The document you shared is an old document that circulated during the Hajj period. Before sharing such claims, take a moment to translate the Arabic text on the document, you’ll see that it has nothing to do with what you’re suggesting."
Ms Quadri replied:
"It's not a lie, you can say you were lucky or they are being selective, I posted from the airport. My person was directly affected and another group with Pakistani passports so it wasn't just Nigerian on the 8am Qatar flight from Manchester on 7/7/2026. I was allowed to board my British passport but chose not to because i couldn't leave them. We will get them a visa and plan another date. So please don't make such a blanket statement again especially as a Muslim It happened to me and not hear say."
Another X user, Aisha Yusuf, @ayeesha0592, added:
"It's true Qatar Airways refused I and my family from boarding on Wednesday 8/7/26 at Heathrow Airport. They said a work visa does not qualify for VOA even though we showed them proof on the Saudi embassy website."
Usman Yusuf, @usi360, added:
"I was at Heathrow on Monday and people were denied Boarding pass because of this policy."
Mustapha Usman, @musyahu, posted:
"@BashirAhmaad is right it was an old circular which is no longer applicable however Saudi Authorities are yet to notify airlines of the withdrawal leading to some airlines denying boarding for some passengers."
Another X user, @El_Imam_caliph, said:
"The Arabic in the document you posted said it’s due to hajj activity and it’s temporary. Probably the airline staff mis-translated it."
To verify Ahmad's and @El_Imam_caliph's claims, Legit.ng used AI to translate the Arabic text. The translation reads:
"Saudi Arabia has suspended visa-on-arrival entry for citizens of 14 countries during the Hajj season, including those travelling on the basis of valid U.S. or Schengen visas."
Saudi Tourism Centre Reacts
For further verification, Legit.ng reached out to the Saudi Tourism Centre for clarification on the reported suspension.
The centre, in an exclusive response to Legit.ng, clarified the specific categories of international travellers eligible for the Kingdom's Visa on Arrival (VoA) programme. According to the Saudi authorities, the Visa on Arrival facility is not entirely shut off to Nigerians, but is strictly tethered to specific third-party visa and residency statuses. The centre stated:
"Travelers who hold the following (a US, UK or Schengen visa holder or a UK, US & EU country resident) are eligible for the Visa on Arrival, and we highly advise to visit our official website to check the travelers' eligibility for both Visa on Arrival and the eVisa."
Following this development, Legit.ng reviewed the administrative entry requirements on the official Visit Saudi portal to map out the exact pathways available to Nigerian travellers. Based on current immigration protocols, the visa requirements for Nigerian citizens are split into three distinct categories based on residency and active external visas:
1. Standard passport holders (No US, UK, Schengen, or GCC Ties)
Nigerians who do not hold valid tourist or business visas from the US, UK, or Schengen zone, and do not possess permanent residency in those regions or the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc, cannot access the Visa on Arrival or eVisa platforms. READ ALSO Saudi Arabia releases list of African countries eligible for eVisa. They must apply for a traditional consulate visa through a Saudi embassy, consulate, or an approved visa processing agency, or apply for a transit visa if stopping over.
2. Holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen visas/residents
Nigerian citizens who are legal residents of the United States, United Kingdom, or any Schengen Area nation, or who hold a valid, used business or tourist visa from these jurisdictions, enjoy expanded entry access. They are fully eligible to obtain an eVisa online prior to departure, a Visa on Arrival at any Saudi border checkpoint, or a standard transit visa.
3. Residents of GCC Countries
Nigerians who possess a valid residency permit across the Gulf Cooperation Council states are exempted from the traditional embassy application track. The GCC member states include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They can seamlessly secure either an eVisa online before travelling or a transit visa. Immigration frameworks are subject to rapid administrative adjustments.
Nigerian travellers planning trips for leisure, business, or the Umrah pilgrimage can independently verify their current entry eligibility status in real-time via the official Visit Saudi Visa Regulations Portal.
Ghana scraps visa requirement for Nigerians
Earlier in a similar development, Legit.ng reported that Ghana announced visa-free entry for all African passport holders, becoming one of the latest countries on the continent to relax border restrictions in a move to improve regional mobility and economic integration.
The Ghana Immigration Service disclosed the development through an official social media post.
The authorities also unveiled a new electronic visa platform designed to simplify entry procedures for travellers heading into the country.
According to the immigration service's X post, the E-Visa system will allow travellers to complete applications online, make secure payments and receive travel authorisation through email before departure.
The policy marks another shift in Africa’s growing push for easier movement between countries. For years, African governments have faced criticism over strict visa rules imposed on fellow Africans despite repeated calls for stronger continental cooperation.
UAE: Countries eligible for visa-free entry in 2026
Legit.ng previously reported that travellers planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates can benefit from one of the region's more accessible entry systems, with citizens of about 70 countries able to enter without securing a visa before departure.
The country's extensive air links also make travel straightforward. Its airports receive flights from destinations across the world, while Dubai International Airport continues to rank among the busiest global aviation hubs
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng