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Saudi Arabia is tightening up the Hajj experience for 2025, with substantial changes announced. This year, kids won’t be tagging along, as the Kingdom is putting a no-children policy into play for the pilgrimage. The new rule is being implemented to keep children safe as the crowds of pilgrims that gather each year grows larger and larger.

“This step has been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to mitigate any potential harm during the Hajj pilgrimage," the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.

First-time pilgrims are in luck, as the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is prioritizing first-timers, giving more people a chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey without the wait.

In terms of logistics, signing up for Hajj has never been easier, thanks to the Nusuk app and a handy online portal. If the cost is a bit daunting, don’t worry—pilgrims can now pay in three installments.

The Kingdom has also revised its visa policies to help prevent overcrowding. From February 1, 2025, people from 14 countries will only be eligible for single-entry visas. This list includes Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen. The change was put in place as some pilgrims have been using multiple-entry visas to enter the Kingdom unregistered during Hajj, which has impacted crowd control.

If you're from one of the affected countries, you'll get a single shot to enter Saudi Arabia for a 30-day period. One-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits have been put on hold for now. This is all part of Saudi's broader effort to streamline the Hajj process, ensuring it’s both safe and spiritually fulfilling. Make sure to double-check these new rules when planning your pilgrimage.

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