RIYADH, June 8: Saudi Arabia will not issue Umrah visas to individuals under 40 years of age from a number of countries, including India and Pakistan, according to Adil Balkhair, assistant deputy minister for Umrah affairs.

This was the first time the move, which had been intimated to governments concerned, was confirmed publicly.

The decision had been taken because of the large numbers of people overstaying their Umrah visas to seek illegal employment here, Mr Balkhair was quoted as saying in the local press on Thursday.

According to the decision, people under 40 would still be granted Umrah visas if they were accompanied by their family members or travelled with organised groups.

Mr Balkhair said the decision was taken after consulting the parties concerned.

“It became clear to us (after statistics showed) that some (people) are misusing Umarh as a pretext to overstay and become illegal workers in the kingdom,” Mr Balkhair added. Overstay has been a constant source of concern for the Saudi administration.

Every year after the Haj and Umrah season, the government starts a campaign to evict people overstaying in the kingdom.

Press reports suggested that the entry of people below 40 years from other countries, including Egypt and Nigeria, have also been restricted.