Travel safety during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages - Saudi Arabia

On this page

• Before you go
• While you’re away
• Returning to Canada

Before you go

• Read the Travel advice and advisories for Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health establishes health requirements for those participating in the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages.
• Before leaving Canada, make sure you meet all the health requirements of Saudi Arabia and can provide proof of all vaccinations required there upon entry to the country.

Registration requirements

Requirements for Hajj and Umrah can change with little notice. You should consult official Saudi government platforms and your travel provider before making plans to participate.

Hajj

• To perform Hajj, you must register on the official Nusuk Hajj platform. This is the only platform approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide Hajj services.

Umrah

• Canadians wishing to perform Umrah must meet Saudi entry and visa requirements and should use the official Nusuk Umrah platform or a licensed travel provider connected to Saudi systems to organize their trip.

Visas

Make sure you have a visa that is valid for entering Saudia Arabia:

• Muslim tourists who are not residents of Saudi Arabia can perform Umrah with any type of visa, but all tourists need a specific visa to perform Hajj
• You should get a valid visa and register online to perform Hajj
• The dates used on Saudi Arabian visas are based on the Hijri calendar. Make sure to convert the dates correctly and note the expiry date

The Saudi Arabian government enforces strict penalties on people who perform Hajj without a permit. Do not overstay your visa for either Hajj or Umrah. Penalties for overstays may include a fine of 50,000 Saudi Arabian riyals and 6 months of incarceration, followed by deportation.

Make sure you understand and respect the conditions of the visa issued:

• Visas for performing Hajj or Umrah are only valid for travel in the vicinities of the cities of Jeddah, Mecca and Medina.
  • Unapproved travel outside these cities could be in violation of local laws and penalties
  • These visas cannot be used for work or residency
• Travellers must comply with all Saudi Arabian government travel regulations

Hire reputable tour operators

The Hajj is an attractive target for people looking to defraud unsuspecting travellers. Do your homework before selecting a tour operator.

Only deal with travel agencies licenced by your local government and authorized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Ottawa. See the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Canada and the lists on Nusuk, a website of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Check exactly what you are paying for and ask to get your tour details in writing.

At all times, keep with you the identification card and wristband that are issued to travellers by tour operators.

Canadian passports

Keep your travel documents, including your Canadian passport or Canadian citizenship card, secure during your trip. Make 2 copies of your passport, including the pages stamped with Saudi Arabian visas. Leave one copy at home and the other with you in a safe place while you travel.

If you lose your passport, report the loss immediately to your tour operator representative and try to obtain a report from the local police.

Upon completion of Hajj, contact the Canadian embassy in Saudi Arabia, represented by the consulate in Jeddah, to assist in issuing a replacement passport.

Women and children pilgrims

Women of all ages may travel without a mahram—a blood relative—to perform Hajj or Umrah. A notarized letter of no objection from a husband, son or brother is no longer required.

Minors—those under 18 years of age—will only be granted a visa to perform Hajj if accompanied by a family member. If the child is travelling with one parent, a letter of no objection should be submitted by the other parent or legal guardian and notarized by a notary public.

Travellers with disabilities

Accessibility standards in Saudi Arabia may be significantly lower than what is required or expected in Canada. While most of the holy sites, such as the Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque) in Mecca, offer some level of accessibility, most hotels and transportation options do not. Check with your tour group provider to ensure your needs are well known and can be accommodated.

Health advice

Each year, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health establishes health requirements and guidelines for those wishing to perform Hajj or Umrah. Make sure you meet all the requirements and follow the guidelines and can provide proof of all required vaccinations before leaving Canada.

Visit a travel health clinic, preferably 6 weeks before travel, to receive personalized health advice and recommendations. Even if you’re travelling soon, it’s still worthwhile to make an appointment. Discuss the following:

• Pre-travel vaccines or medications that may be right for you
• Whether your routine vaccinations are up to date, as many require a booster as an adult
• The medications you’re currently taking or planning to bring with you:
  • If you need to bring medication with you, carry a doctor’s prescription in English and make sure the medication is not prohibited in Saudi Arabia. Check Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority for more details
  • Keep all medications in their original, labelled containers and bring copies of your necessary prescriptions in case of loss or theft. See travelling with medication
  • If you have medical conditions, make sure to have a medical report with you
  • Pack a travel health kit and purchase travel health insurance.

Check with your tour operator for baggage allowance details, such as acceptable size and weight, before packing your bags. Also, consult with the operator about what will be provided and what you should take with you.

Find information about items prohibited in Saudi Arabia.

Airports

As there is no airport in Mecca, those travelling to perform Hajj or Umrah must enter and leave from King Abdulaziz International Airport, in Jeddah, or Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, in Medina. Expect crowded airport terminals and long wait times on arrival at the airports due to the extremely large numbers of travellers.

Travellers with only carry-on bags will find baggage transfer at the airport much easier than those with checked baggage as well.

While you’re away

Protect yourself from infectious diseases

• Learn how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites from insects and other pests.
  • Insects can carry and spread diseases such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya.
• Clean your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Take food and water precautions, and avoid close contact with camels and camel-based products.
• Tell the medical staff members accompanying your group or local health services if you develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, or have other symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Keep in mind that you may experience longer wait times for basic services, such as local health care, especially in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat.

Prepare for your health and safety

Avoid very crowded areas when possible. Large crowds or mass gatherings can increase your risk of getting sick or injured. For more information, see mass gatherings (large-scale events).

Avoid peak heat times and seek shade when possible to prevent heat-related illnesses and dehydration. Temperatures in Mecca tend to range between 18 and 44 degrees Celsius. Stay hydrated, eat regularly and use sun protection.

Between ritual sites

The Saudi Arabian government provides strict timetables to Hajj pilgrimage groups for all movements (such as by bus or light rail or on foot) between the ritual sites. These routes are extremely congested, and travellers should expect long delays.

Smart phone apps

You may use the official smartphone apps made by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to help you around, especially the “Nusuk” application.

Safety information

• Make sure you keep contact information for the following with you at all times:
  • the Canadian consulate in Jeddah
  • the Canadian embassy in Riyadh
  • your tour operator representatives, both in Canada and Saudi Arabia
  • the hotel you are staying at
• Be aware of pickpocketing and other forms of theft, particularly in crowded locations. Always keep an eye on the items you are carrying and your luggage.
• Consider getting a local SIM card; there are customized plans offered for those performing Hajj and Umrah.
• Always remain vigilant; avoid all demonstrations; follow the advice of local authorities; and monitor local media.
• We recommend, if possible, that Canadians get in touch with their emergency contacts in Canada to confirm their whereabouts and wellbeing.
• Canadian travellers should register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and follow @TravelGoC on social media to get the latest updates. 
• Once you arrive at your residence in Mecca or Medina, get to know the facilities and shops closest to your location.
• Stay with your travel group during the whole trip.

Emergency contact information

Canadian citizens requiring emergency consular assistance can contact the Embassy of Canada to Saudi Arabia by telephone at +966-11-202-3288 or by email at ryadh.general@international.gc.ca. Check the website for working hours under “Contact us”.

For 24/7 emergency assistance, Canadians can also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa:

• by calling toll-free at 1‑888‑949‑9993 or +1‑613‑996‑8885; collect calls are accepted where available
• by text message at +1‑613‑686‑3658
• via WhatsApp at +1‑613‑909‑8881
• via Signal at +1‑613‑909‑8087
• by email at sos@international.gc.ca

Local emergency services

• Unified Security Operation Center: 911
• Saudia Arabia’s Ministry of Interior’s Hajj hotline: 1966
• Medical advice: 937
• Traffic accidents: 993
• Firefighters: 998
• Ambulances: 997
• Police: 999

Consular services: What we can and cannot do

The ability to provide consular services in some instances may be hindered by the laws and regulations of other countries. Read the Canadian Consular Services Charter for more information.

Returning to Canada

If you feel sick when coming back to Canada, depending on your mode of transportation, tell either:

• a flight attendant
• a border service officer

If you become sick after you return to Canada, contact a health care provider and let them know:

• what symptoms you have
• which countries you visited

Learn more

• If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return.

Bringing back Zamzam water and food

Most airlines limit each traveller to 1 packed bottle of up to 5 or 10 litres (1.1 or 2.20 gallons) of Zamzam water as checked baggage. Check with your tour operator for exact details of what your airline allows, as well as the requirements of the bottle packing.

Restrictions on what items you are allowed to bring into Canada vary depending on the product, country of origin and province of import. These restrictions are set up to help keep Canada’s animals, plants and natural habitats healthy and safe. Due to constantly changing pest and disease situations, these restrictions may be adjusted at any time. Do your research each time you travel. You may wish to consult the Canada Border Services Agency’s Food, plant and animal inspections page.