Hajj Visa Cancelled for Kids Under 12 Years Old
Saudi Arabia, April 14, 2025 – In a major update ahead of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has announced that children under the age of 12 will no longer be eligible for Hajj visas. The move is part of new regulatory measures aimed at managing crowd control and ensuring safety during the annual pilgrimage.
As a result, the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has cancelled the applications of 291 children who were scheduled to accompany their parents. All payments made for these children will be fully refunded.
Parents now face two options:
- Proceed with their Hajj journey without their children.
- Cancel their entire application by April 14, 2025, through the Haj Committee website or the Haj Suvidha App, without incurring any cancellation charges.
Saudi authorities have also introduced additional travel restrictions:
- Entry for Umrah visa holders will be restricted after the 15th day of Shawwal.
- Hotels are prohibited from housing individuals who do not hold valid Hajj permits, even if they have work or resident permits.
The new guidelines are expected to enhance pilgrim safety and better regulate the flow of millions of worshippers during Hajj 2025.