Performing umrah from Canada needs a Nusuk e-visa, Saudi-mandated vaccinations, and a connecting flight to Jeddah or Madinah. Here’s everything Canadian pilgrims need for the 1448 AH umrah season: visa, health, flights, hotels in Makkah, and arrival.
When to Go: Umrah Season for Canadian Pilgrims
Umrah can be performed year-round outside the Hajj period, but the season window matters when planning from Canada. The 1447 AH season closed in April 2026, and the 1448 AH season is now open.
Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim arrivals resumed on 31 May 2026, with Makkah entry and permits via Nusuk resuming on 1 June. Visa issuance is scheduled to close on 9 March 2027, with 23 March the final arrival date and 7 April the final departure date.
Best Months to Travel from Canada
- September to November: mild weather in Makkah and Madinah, lower crowds, lower flight prices from Canadian cities
- December to January: peak winter break demand from Canadian Muslim families; book three to six months ahead
- Ramadan 1448 (February 2027): highest spiritual reward but also highest cost and most intense crowds; flights from Toronto can double in price
- Avoid the annual Hajj window: the dedicated Umrah visa is not activated from 1 Dhu Al-Qi’dah to 14 Dhu Al-Hijjah
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah publishes official last-entry and last-departure dates each year. Confirm before paying for non-refundable bookings.
Visa Options for Canadians
Booking online: Wego is an official partner of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with ministry-approved hotels and the eVisa in partnership with Nusuk, so the visa and the bookings it depends on are filed in one flow.
Packages are supplied by licensed Umrah operators, and transport is included on some tiers only, so check what the operator has listed before you pay. Here is how the booking works from your phone.
Canadian passport holders have three legitimate ways into the Kingdom for umrah. The right one depends on whether you’re going just for pilgrimage or combining it with leisure travel.
Nusuk Umrah e-Visa
The dedicated pilgrimage visa, applied for directly on the Nusuk platform, is now multiple-entry and valid for 365 days from issuance, with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days. Each trip requires a service package from an approved provider on Nusuk and an Umrah permit before arrival.
After the visa is issued, register on the Nusuk app to book your permits.
Saudi e-Tourist Visa
Canadians are on the eligible list for the Saudi e-Tourist visa, which can also be used to perform umrah. It is multi-entry, valid for one year, with stays of up to 90 days per entry. Best for pilgrims combining umrah with visits to Riyadh, AlUla, or the Red Sea coast.
96-Hour Transit Visa
If your routing puts you on Saudia or flynas with a layover in the Kingdom, you may qualify for a free 96-hour transit visa that allows performing umrah during the stopover. It is issued by the airline at booking and not available on third-party carriers.
Documents You’ll Need
- Canadian passport valid for at least six months from your entry date
- Recent passport photo on a white background
- Confirmed return air ticket
- Nusuk-verified hotel booking in Makkah and/or Madinah
- Ground transport booking for airport transfers and inter-city travel
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccination certificate, dated at least 10 days before arrival
- Polio vaccination certificate if you’ve recently travelled to a polio-affected country
Processing through Nusuk typically takes 24 to 72 hours, though peak Ramadan applications can take up to seven working days. Apply at least three to four weeks before departure.
Health Requirements Before Leaving Canada
Saudi health rules are strictly enforced and they are non-negotiable. The Saudi Ministry of Health sets the requirements; Canada’s Public Health Agency publishes a dedicated Hajj and Umrah travel health notice each year that aligns with them.
Mandatory and Recommended Vaccines
- Meningococcal ACWY: mandatory for all pilgrims aged one year and above, taken 10 days to 5 years before arrival
- Polio: required if you’ve visited a polio-affected country in the past 12 months
- Seasonal influenza: strongly recommended, especially for Ramadan and winter travel
- Routine immunisations: MMR, tetanus, and hepatitis B should be up to date
- COVID-19 booster: recommended, not currently mandatory for entry
Visit a Canadian travel health clinic at least four to six weeks before departure. The meningococcal vaccine needs time to provide protection, and clinics in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary book up fast during Ramadan season. Check the Government of Canada’s Hajj and Umrah safety page for the latest advisories before departure.
Flights and Packages from Canada
There are no non-stop flights from Canada to Saudi Arabia in 2026. Every routing connects through a Gulf or European hub. Flight time from Toronto runs 14 to 18 hours total including the layover.
Common Routings
| Airline | Hub | Arrival Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | Doha | Jeddah or Madinah |
| Emirates | Dubai | Jeddah or Madinah |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi | Jeddah or Madinah |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | Jeddah or Madinah |
| Saudia | European hubs | Jeddah or Madinah |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt | Jeddah |
Compare flights to Jeddah and flights to Madinah from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton on Wego. Most pilgrims fly into Jeddah (KAIA) for proximity to Makkah, then exit from Madinah after visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.
What Umrah Costs from Canada
A standard 10 to 14-day umrah package from Canada in 2026 costs roughly:
- Budget (3-star, shared room): CAD 2,500 to CAD 3,500 per person
- Mid-range (4-star, walking distance to the Haramain): CAD 3,500 to CAD 5,500 per person
- Premium (5-star, direct view of the Holy Mosques): CAD 5,500 to CAD 9,000+ per person
Packages usually include flights, visa and hotels; ground transport and a ziyarah guide vary by tier, so check what is listed before you pay. Ramadan packages cost 40 to 70% more than shoulder-season trips.
After You Arrive: Nusuk Permits and Performing Umrah
Saudi Arabia’s umrah infrastructure is heavily digital. Most on-ground procedures happen through the Nusuk app rather than at counters. Download it before flying out of Canada.
At Immigration
Have your e-visa printout or digital copy, return ticket, and vaccination certificate ready. Saudi border officers scan your passport, capture biometrics, and stamp entry. Most pilgrims clear in under an hour at Jeddah and Madinah, though queues lengthen during Ramadan.
Booking Your Umrah Permit
Once inside the Kingdom, use the Nusuk app to:
- Book your umrah permit with a specific date and time slot
- Reserve a Rawdah Sharif visit at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah (separate male and female slots)
- Show your digital permit QR code at security gates around the Grand Mosque
- Access ride-hailing, prayer times, and live crowd updates
What’s Allowed and What Isn’t
Umrah and e-Tourist visa holders can travel freely across Saudi Arabia, visit historic sites in Madinah and Makkah’s surroundings, and continue on to other cities such as Riyadh, AlUla, and Jeddah’s Al-Balad district. Many Canadian pilgrims add a few days in Riyadh or AlUla after umrah.
What you cannot do: work in any form, perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque outside your permit slot, or attempt to perform Hajj on an umrah visa. Overstaying the 90-day stay limit carries fines of SAR 15,000 and a re-entry ban.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Canadian permanent residents follow a different process?
Not necessarily. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allows two routes: applying directly on an approved platform such as Nusuk, or booking through an Umrah agent in your country that the ministry has accredited. Nusuk opens the direct route only for countries the ministry has approved for individual umrah, so check which route it offers you before paying.
Can women travel for umrah from Canada without a mahram?
Yes. Since 2022, Saudi Arabia has allowed adult women to perform umrah without a male guardian, and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah sets no age limit and no women-only-group condition.
Sources
- Nusuk Umrah Platform
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Saudi Ministry of Health
- Saudi e-Visa Portal
- Government of Canada: Hajj and Umrah Travel Safety
- Travel.gc.ca: Travel Health Notices
- CDC Yellow Book: Saudi Arabia Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
