Though nobody truly knows for sure, but the reason these individuals were likely given this opportunity was because Jesus had not been proclaimed to them prior to their death, because Jesus had not come to Earth yet before they lived/passed.
However, this is not the case for most living today. It is possible that if someone has never heard about Jesus, then maybe Jesus could visit them as well, but Scripture is pretty clear that there is a final judgement and that those who reject Christ, will not be saved.
I also like to add here that it is not God who sends unbelievers to Hell, but rather individuals choose Hell, by rejecting God. God wants everyone to go to Heaven, but gives everyone free-will to choose Him or put themselves/others above God.
I love Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). It shows how a loving Father lets his son to go live his life the way he wants to live it, desiring for his son to do what is good and true. And it pains the Father to see his son making the choices that his does. But, when the son has nowhere else to go, he returns home and the Father welcomes him with open arms and celebrates the return of his lost son.
I used to be a lot like the older brother in this story. But, I have since understood the error in my former ways and now, like the Father, rejoice when someone overcomes addictions, selfishness, entitlement, rebellion, or rejection of God and responsibilities and returns home to God’s kingdom.
Before, I might have uttered, Who does this guy think he is? I still have a little bit of this in me. For instance when someone who did not live an upright life passes and everyone makes them out to be a saint, ignoring the evil that they had done, and only highlighting what good they did. But then I am humbled by recalling all the ways I have sinned and not chosen what was right and just.
To love someone is to will the good of another.