Anyone going on the pilgrimage soon is concerned about the Umrah visa. Someone going on the pilgrimage for the first time might be curious about the visa options and application process. If you are a Canadian citizen going on an Umrah soon, you will need the ultimate guide to applying for an Umrah visa from Canada. It is essential to browse your options and make the decision accordingly to ensure that you have a smooth journey.
Anyone traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah must have an Umrah visa. However, there is an exception for citizens of some countries, as they can also perform the voluntary pilgrimage with a tourist visa. So, as a Canadian citizen, you will have two options. In this guide, we’ll explore these options, visa application processes, and how you can find the best Umrah deals 2025 to make your journey more affordable.
Can You Perform an Umrah Without the Umrah Visa?
If you don’t have a Saudi or GCC passport, you will need an Umrah visa to travel to KSA and perform the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia only issues this type of visa to Muslims who want to perform the voluntary pilgrimage. You can only apply for this visa through the local Saudi Embassy in your hometown or any authorized travel agency.
Only Muslims can apply for this visa, which is explicitly for pilgrimage. With this Umrah-specific visa, you can only enter Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. A single-entry visa enables you to stay in the region for a maximum of ninety days. One of the most significant advantages of this visa is that it comes with various pilgrims-specific perks, like taking Zamzam back home.
But if you want to know if you can perform an Umrah without the Umrah visa, you can do it as a Canadian citizen. As we have already discussed, you can also perform Umrah with the tourist eVisa. This visa is issued to people who want to visit KSA for tourism, business, or visiting a relative. Muslims from certain countries, including Umrah, can also indulge in religious activities with this visa. It is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for a year.
Which Visa Option to Choose: Umrah Visa or Tourist Visa?
Umrah visas and Saudi tourist visas are reliable and considerable options for Canadians who want to visit Umrah soon. However, the visa that will suit you the best depends on your requirements and your time. If you’re going to get a visa within a day or two and avoid the frustrating, extensive visa application process, you can opt for the tourist eVisa. This type of visa has a straightforward application process that enables you to apply online. There is no need to contact any travel agency or the Saudi embassy to get this visa.
However, it might be worth the hustle if you are looking for the extra pilgrim perks with the Umrah visa. Getting an Umrah visa also becomes convenient if you have a reliable travel agency that handles the process. But remember that you will still have to visit your agents or the embassy a few times and submit your documents to apply for an Umrah visa. So, consider both options before choosing the ideal one for yourself.
Application Process for the Umrah Visa
- Contact a reliable travel agency or your local Saudi embassy.
- With the help of your agents, determine if you are eligible for the Umrah visa. Canadian citizens of all ages are eligible for the visa, but there might be restrictions considering various factors your agents will tell you about.
- Gather all your travel documents. Again, you can ask your travel agents for assistance in determining which documents you need. Some necessary documents with you include valid passport medical reports, proof of residence in Canada, recent passport-sized photographs, vaccination proofs, and more.
- Provide all the necessary information to your travel agents for the visa application process.
- Now, you must wait while your travel agents process your visa. They will update you regularly about the process and tell you the tentative date for your Umrah visa issuance.
Application Process for Saudi Tourist eVisa
- Go to the official Saudi eVisa website.
- Fill out the eVisa application form and submit it.
- Prepare digital copies of all your required travel documents and upload them on the website.
- Pay your eVisa application fee at the specified platform.
- Your eVisa application is complete. You will now need to wait for the visa to be processed and approved.
Final Words
Do you plan to go for an Umrah from Canada soon? If so, you might want to know about the visa process. After reading the ultimate guide to applying for an Umrah visa from Canada, you might know about Canadian citizens’ visa options and the application process. You can look for Umrah packages from Calgary to save yourself from the extensive visa application process. Moreover, you can consult your agents about which visa option will suit you best before deciding.
