A post has been circulating on social media recently, which has highlighted that Saudi Arabia has banned visa services for a few countries, including India. After such posts went viral, various users portrayed it as a diplomatic failure of the Indian government.
However, an investigation into the matter has revealed that this viral post is not one hundred percent true, and the majority of the claims are false and lack content. According to the reports, Saudi Arabia has, indeed, temporarily suspended the specific categories of visas for around 14 countries, including India, between April 13 and June 9, 2025.
The authorities have mentioned that this ban was implemented to manage crowd control and prevent unauthorized entries during the time of Hajj - the time when Saudi witnessed a large chunk of tourists' entries.
Therefore, it is clear that this temporary ban has been misinterpreted as crumbling diplomatic ties of India, and such information and news are FALSE.
CLAIM -
A user named ‘Ayesha” shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting that Saudi Arabia has implemented a ban on work visas for Indian citizens. The user further highlighted that the Modi government is unable to manage diplomatic ties and foreign relations.
India faces another diplomatic setback, Saudi Arabia stops work visas for Indians.
— 𝑨𝒚𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒂🥀 (@aysheeyy) June 9, 2025
Another poor outcome of modi and jai shankar failed diplomacy !!#IndiaPakistanWar pic.twitter.com/aT1v4xbfkx
INVESTIGATION -
A detailed study of the matter has revealed this information spread like fire across social media; however, a few of the posts were archived, which claimed that "Narendra Modi's failed Foreign Policy with so many awkward forced hugs and planned visits goes for a toss.”
Along with this, Congress leader Pawan Khera also joined the league and highlighted, “Saudi Arabia suspending visas for 14 countries, including India, is just the latest blow in a steady collapse of India’s foreign policy under Modi.
China blocked naming the attackers at the UN. Pakistan won the backing from China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Malaysia, all demanding a “fair probe.”
Saudi Arabia suspending visas for 14 countries, including India, is just the latest blow in a steady collapse of India’s foreign policy under Modi.
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) June 9, 2025
China blocked naming the attackers at the UN. Pakistan won the backing from China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Malaysia, all…
However, as such, the claim was not supported by the official websites of the governments of Saudi Arabia and India. On the contrary, a post was shared by the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) of India, which highlighted that the Saudi government has not shared any information regarding the visa ban for Indians.
Further, it shared the actual fact and mentioned, “FACT: The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are temporary restrictions on short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which ends with the conclusion of Hajj.”
CLAIM: Saudi Arabia temporarily suspends issuance of block work visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India.
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) June 9, 2025
This CLAIM is FALSE.
FACT: The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are… pic.twitter.com/8dkJddhj3y