How to Apply for Umrah E-Visa from Canada: A Complete Guide

Canadian passport holders can apply for an Umrah eVisa online through the official Saudi visa portal. Complete the form, upload your documents, pay the fee, and download the approved visa.

You don’t normally need to visit an embassy. Start at the official Saudi eVisa website for Umrah travel and keep your passport beside you.

This guide explains each step in basic English. It also covers documents, costs, Nusuk registration, family applications, delays, and common mistakes.

Umrah is different from Hajj and can be performed outside the Hajj period. The Saudi tourist eVisa allows eligible Canadian travellers to perform Umrah.

The visa allows multiple entries during its validity period. This can help if you plan another Saudi visit or want extra time for Ziyarat.

Before booking flights, check the latest Saudi entry rules and Canadian travel advice. Rules can change near Hajj, Ramadan, or other busy periods.

What is an Umrah eVisa?

The Umrah eVisa is a digital Saudi travel permit. Canadian pilgrims usually apply under the tourist eVisa system and select Umrah as their travel purpose.

It lets you visit Makkah and Madinah for Umrah and Ziyarat. It doesn’t give you permission to perform Hajj.

The eVisa is valid for 365 days from the issue date. It allows several entries, with a total stay of up to 90 days during that period.

Your approved visa arrives as a PDF by email or through your online account. It also includes health insurance for emergencies during the trip.

Save the PDF on your phone and print at least two copies. We usually tell families to keep one copy with the passports and another inside the main luggage.

Airline staff may check your visa before you leave Canada. Saudi immigration may also ask to see it after landing in Jeddah or Riyadh.

Who can apply from Canada?

Canadian citizens are included in Saudi Arabia’s eligible eVisa programme. You can apply directly without an agent or Hajj quota.

Permanent residents should check their eligibility based on their passport nationality. If accepted, they may need to upload proof of Canadian residence.

The main requirements are:

• Age: Applicants should be at least 18. A parent or guardian must apply for children.
• Passport: Your passport must remain valid for at least six months after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
• Travel purpose: Select Umrah if the form asks why you’re visiting.
• Health: You must meet current Saudi health and vaccination rules.
• Travel record: Previous overstays, bans, or security issues may affect approval.

Women may travel for Umrah without a mahram under the current rules. Families can also submit applications together through an adult’s account.

Children over five need their own application and travel documents. Carry birth certificates if the children’s surnames differ from their parents’ names.

Dual nationals should normally use the Canadian passport for the whole journey. Use the same passport for the visa, flight booking, and immigration checks.

Which documents will you need?

Prepare your files before opening the application. This saves time and reduces mistakes when the website asks you to upload each document.

• Passport scan: Upload a clear colour copy of the information page. The file should usually be under 2MB.
• Photograph: Use a recent passport-style photo with a plain white background. Your face should fill about 80% of the image.
• Accommodation: Keep your confirmed Makkah and Madinah hotel details ready.
• Flights: Have your arrival, departure, and travel dates available.
• Residence proof: Non-citizen residents may need a valid Canadian PR card.
• Family documents: Children may need birth certificates showing their link to the accompanying parent.
• Nusuk details: Keep your Nusuk registration or account information ready for Umrah permits.
• Financial evidence: You may be asked for statements showing at least CAD 700 per traveller.

Documents can normally be submitted in English or French. A certified Arabic translation may be requested in some cases.

This is where people often get it wrong. A dark passport scan, cropped number, or shadow across the photo can delay the application.

Check every file after scanning it. Phone scanning apps are useful, but don’t use filters that change the passport colour or facial details.

How do you apply online?

The application itself usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Allow longer if you’re applying for several family members.

Step 1: Open the official portal

Go to visa.visitsaudi.com and create an account. Enter an email address you check regularly and choose a secure password.

You may receive a one-time code by email or SMS. Enter it promptly because these codes can expire.

Avoid unofficial websites that look similar. Some agents charge much more for completing the same basic form.

Step 2: Start your application

Select the tourist eVisa option and choose Umrah as your purpose, where available. Enter your name exactly as printed in your passport.

Add your date of birth, Canadian nationality, passport number, issue date, and expiry date. Don’t guess any detail.

Even a missing middle name can cause trouble at airline check-in. Compare each entry with the passport before moving forward.

Step 3: Upload your documents

Upload the passport scan, photograph, booking details, and any other requested files. The portal normally accepts PDF or JPEG files under 2MB.

For a family application, begin with the lead adult. Add each traveller carefully and check that every passport matches the correct photograph.

Step 4: Check and pay

Review the whole form before paying. Pay particular attention to names, passport numbers, dates, nationality, and email address.

Canadian Visa and Mastercard cards are generally accepted. Your bank may send a security request before approving the overseas payment.

Keep the payment receipt and application reference number. Take a screenshot if the confirmation page doesn’t arrive by email.

Step 5: Track and download

After submitting, use your account dashboard to check progress. Processing often takes between one and three days, although some applications are approved sooner.

Busy travel periods can take longer. Apply four to six weeks before departure so you have time to correct any problem.

Once approved, download the PDF and check every detail again. If something is wrong, contact support before travelling instead of hoping airport staff will accept it.

How much does the visa cost?

The stated eVisa fee is SAR 535, which is about CAD 192 at an exchange rate near CAD 0.36 per riyal. The official amount shown during payment is the amount that matters.

The fee includes the required health insurance. Optional Nusuk services may add around CAD 30 to CAD 70, depending on what you book.

Agents may charge CAD 300 or more for visa assistance. Paying extra can help nervous travellers, but it doesn’t guarantee faster approval.

The normal processing time is 24 to 72 hours. Ramadan and other busy periods may bring longer queues and slower replies.

The visa can’t normally be extended. Overstaying may lead to fines of up to SAR 10,000, or about CAD 3,600.

Do you need the Nusuk app?

Nusuk is used for Umrah permits and some religious visit bookings. Register at umrah.nusuk.sa and use the same passport details as your visa application.

Download the app before leaving Canada and sign in once. Save screenshots of important bookings because mobile data can be slow in crowded areas.

After approval, link your eVisa details if the system requests them. Keep the QR code ready when approaching a checkpoint or booked visit.

What mistakes cause visa problems?

The most common problem is information that doesn’t match the passport. This includes shortened names, wrong birth dates, and mistyped passport numbers.

Another common mistake is applying with a passport that will soon expire. Renew it first if it won’t have six months remaining after arrival.

Photograph problems are also common. Use good light, face the camera, remove ordinary glasses, and keep the background plain.

Don’t make several applications because one appears slow. Duplicate forms and repeated payments can make the issue harder to sort out.

Use stable internet and a laptop if possible. On mobile phones, upload buttons sometimes freeze or hide part of the form.

If an application is rejected, read the reason carefully. Correct the problem, use the online appeal option where available, or submit a fresh application.

How should families prepare?

Choose one organised adult as the lead applicant. That person should keep every passport copy, reference number, hotel booking, and insurance document together.

We usually make one digital folder for the whole family. Inside it, each traveller gets a separate folder labelled with their passport name.

At the airport, place passports and printed visas in one small document bag. Don’t pack them inside checked luggage.

Allow extra time at check-in if you have children or elderly relatives. The queue feels much longer when documents are spread across several bags.

Where should you stay?

Once the visa is approved, choose accommodation based on walking ability rather than price alone. A hotel described as “near Haram” may still involve slopes or busy crossings.

In our experience, a 400-metre walk feels much longer with a pram, wheelchair, or elderly parent. Heat and prayer-time crowds also slow everyone down.

Ask about lift numbers, room distance from the lift, and coach access. Large hotels can have long lift queues after prayers, especially when groups return together.

If you’re comparing hotels in Makkah, check the actual walking route on a map. HotelsInMakkah.com lists Makkah and Madinah accommodation for pilgrims.

Look closely at cancellation terms and room occupancy. A cheaper room farther away may mean daily taxi costs and difficult pick-up points near the Haram.

For Madinah, check the hotel entrance as well as the distance. The correct side of Masjid An-Nabawi can save a tiring walk for families.

What should you do before flying?

Check current vaccination requirements, including the meningococcal ACYW-135 requirement for Umrah. Book your clinic visit early and carry the certificate.

Print your eVisa, insurance, hotel bookings, and return flight details. Also save offline copies on two phones if possible.

Check Canadian travel advice before departure. Confirm that your airline has your name exactly as shown in your passport.

Arrive at the Canadian airport early. Check-in staff may need extra time to confirm visas for a family or group.

May Allah make your journey easy and accept your Umrah. Good preparation won’t remove every delay, but it will make problems easier to handle.

Other visa and planning guides

If you’re applying from another country, read these guides:

• Umrah eVisa guide for the UK
• Umrah eVisa guide for the USA
• Umrah eVisa guide for Australia

You can also read how to book lower-priced five-star Umrah packages while planning the full trip.

What else do pilgrims ask?

Can Canadians get a visa on arrival?

Eligible Canadians may be able to get a visa after landing in Jeddah. Applying online first is usually quicker and gives you time to fix errors.

Can a family apply together?

Yes. Use one adult’s portal account as the lead profile, then add the details and documents for each family member.

What if the application is delayed?

Track it through visa.visitsaudi.com using your reference number. You can also contact [email protected] or the Saudi Embassy in Ottawa at (613) 237-4100.

Is Nusuk registration required?

Yes, Nusuk is required for Umrah permits. Register at umrah.nusuk.sa and make sure the passport details match your visa.

When should you apply?

Apply four to six weeks before travelling. This leaves enough time for delays, document corrections, or a fresh application if needed.

When you’re ready to price a stay, you can compare Madinah hotels near the Prophet’s Mosque and see what fits your dates and budget.