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Saudi Visa for Canadian Citizens

Canadian nationals traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are eligible to apply online for the Saudi e-visa, allowing multiple entry into Saudi Arabia, for 90 days each visit during a one-year Saudi e-visa validity period. Sometimes the Saudi e-visa is issued to Canadian citizens as a single-entry visa, allowing a 30-day stay during a 3-month visa validity period. The Saudi e-visa is for tourism related activities, including Umrah pilgrimage, except during Hajj season. Canadian citizens are also eligible to obtain a Saudi visa-on-arrival, but we recommend travelers apply online for a Saudi e-visa before traveling, to avoid airport lines and delays.

Canadian nationals wishing to work in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi work visa, allowing a 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which the Canadian citizen must apply for a Saudi residence visa. The Saudi residence visa, plus the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, allows the Canadian national to both live and work long-term in Saudi Arabia. For short-term work activities, such as meetings, events, or negotiations, Canadians are required to hold a Saudi business visa, which is applied for by a Saudi host company on the Canadian’s behalf. The Saudi business visa is a single-entry visa valid for 3 months, allowing a 30-day stay (extendable), or as a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay each visit (non-extendable).

Always take note of your Saudi visa validity dates, as overstays in Saudi Arabia may result in fines and deportation.

Table of contents

Saudi visas for Canadians

Employment, business, family visits, pilgrimage and transit purposes are among many reasons to travel to Saudi Arabia. Depending on the trip’s purpose, Canadian travelers should apply for the appropriate Saudi visa prior to traveling to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi visas available to Canadian travelers are:

Tourist visa

Canadian citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism should apply online for the Saudi e-visa, which allows for multiple 90-day visits within the one-year Saudi e-visa validity period, or for a single 30-day entry, valid for 3 months.

Business visit visa

Saudi companies wishing to host a Canadian citizen for business activities, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate visits, should apply on the Canadian visitor’s behalf.

Employment visa

Canadian nationals seeking employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi employment visa.

Student visa

Canadian nationals enrolled in a Saudi Arabia educational institution should apply for the Saudi student visa.

Residence visa

Canadian citizens, already in Saudi Arabia on a short-term visa, wishing to live in Saudi Arabia long-term should apply for the Saudi residence visa.

Premium residency visa

Canadian nationals wishing to live and invest in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi premium residency visa. With this visa, the Canadian national can reside, own property, invest, work, change jobs, hire foreign workers, sponsor family, and enter and exit Saudi Arabia, without the need for a Saudi sponsor.

Family visit visa

Saudi nationals or legal residents wishing to host a first-degree relative for a short-term visit to Saudi Arabia can apply for the Saudi family visit visa on behalf of the Canadian visitor.

Companion visa

Canadian citizens wishing to accompany someone on a trip to Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi companion visa.

Personal visit visa

Saudi nationals wishing to host a Canadian visitor in Saudi Arabia for a short-term, non-business, non-family visit to Saudi Arabia.

Newborn visa

Canadian parents, who have a valid Saudi work permit (Iqama), and the mother of the child has a valid re-entry visa into Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi newborn visa.

Government visa

Canadian visitors, invited by a Saudi Arabian government institution, ministry, or department, can apply for the Saudi government visa.

Diplomatic & official visas

Official or diplomatic Canadian nationals can apply for the Saudi diplomatic and official visa.

Diplomatic missions & organizations

Canadian citizens visiting a Saudi Arabian mission or organization should apply for the Saudi diplomatic missions and organizations visa.

Extension of exit/re-entry visa

Canadian employees and their dependents, wishing to travel to and from Saudi Arabia for a specific period of time, should apply for the Saudi extension of exit/re-entry visa.

Hajj visa

Canadian Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage purposes, should apply for the Saudi Hajj visa.

Umrah visa

Canadian Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage purposes, should apply for a Saudi Umrah visa.

Transit visa

Canadian travelers on layover in Saudi Arabia for more than 12 hours should apply for the Saudi transit visa. Canadian nationals in Saudi Arabia for less than 12 hours do not need to apply for a Saudi transit visa.

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Requirement

Canadian citizens should prepare the following when applying for a Saudi visa:

Saudi tourist visa for Canadians:

Canadian nationals, 18 years or older, should meet the following requirements when applying online for a Saudi e-visa:

Application

Canadian applicant fills out a Saudi visa application form at SaudiVisa.com, with personal data and other requested information.

Passport

Canadian applicant should hold a Canadian passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.

Personal photo

Canadian applicant must submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.

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Saudi visa-on-arrival for Canadians

Canadian travelers are eligible to obtain a Saudi visa-on-arrival at Saudi ports of entry; however, it is advisable to apply online for a Saudi e-visa before traveling, in order to avoid possible airport delays.

Saudi work visa for Canadians

Canadian foreign nationals wishing to work in Saudi Arabia should apply for a Saudi work visa, which allows for a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia. During those 90 days, the Canadian citizen must apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor, which along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, allows Canadian visitors the right to live and work in Saudi Arabia for 1 year, extendable based on the continuity of the same employment with the same Saudi employer. To apply for the Saudi work visa, Canadian applicants must be at least 18 years old and should meet the following requirements:

Employment visa

Saudi employer applies with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor for a Saudi employment visa, on the Canadian worker’s behalf.
The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will issue a visa authorization number.

Sponsorship letter

Canadian applicant should be invited by a Saudi Arabian organization that is certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
The sponsorship letter must indicate the Canadian applicant’s name, position, block visa number, and the date.

Diploma

Canadian applicant must have a certified and notarized copy of their university degree or training/technical diploma, authenticated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.

Employment contract

An employment contract is signed by the American employee and the Saudi employer, then certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

Power of Attorney

Saudi MOFA issues digital power of attorney from the Saudi employer.

Visa referral note

An employment contract is signed by the Canadian employee and the Saudi employer, then certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

Health report

Canadian applicant must submit 3 copies of their recent health report, which has been issued within the last 3 months by a licensed physician, stating the doctor’s license number and address, complete with disease-free lab results.

Police report

Canadian applicant must submit a recent and detailed police report, issued at least 6 months before the Saudi work visa application, stating a crime-free record.

Medical Insurance

Canadian applicant should purchase health insurance in Saudi Arabia.

Passport

Canadian applicant should have a passport, valid for 6 months from travel date to Saudi Arabia, with 2 blank pages that are facing each other.

Application

Canadian national should fill out the Saudi work visa application form on the Saudi MOFA portal, then submit the application and required documents by courier or at the nearest Saudi embassy or representation office abroad.

Canadian visitors should convert their Saudi work visa into a residence permit during the visa validity period, allowing the Canadian national to live and work in Saudi Arabia.
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How to apply for a Saudi visa

Canadian applicants should follow these steps when applying for a Saudi visa:

Saudi tourist visa for Canadians

Canadian nationals traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes can apply online at SaudiVisa.com in three simple steps:

Submit application form

Canadian applicant fills out the online Saudi e-visa application form, complete with personal data, passport details, and other requested information.

Pay fees online

Canadian applicant pays the Saudi e-visa fees securely online, with a valid credit or debit card.

Receive approved visa

If approved, the Saudi e-Visa will be sent directly to the email that was provided. Check that all Saudi e-visa information is correct and matches the passport.

Saudi work visa for Canadians

Canadian applicants should follow these steps when applying for a Saudi work visa:

Apply for Saudi work visa

  • Saudi employer applies to MOFA for a Saudi work visa on the Canadian worker’s behalf.
  • Canadian worker fills out the Saudi work visa application on the Saudi MOFA portal, complete with personal data and other requested information. Canadian applicant then prints out the Saudi work visa application form, signs it, and attaches their personal photos.
  • Canadian applicant pays the Saudi work visa fees online on the Saudi MOFA portal, using a valid credit or debit card.

Submit work visa

Canadian applicant submits their Saudi job visa application and required documents by courier or at their nearest Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate.

Receive work visa

Canadian applicant retrieves the approved Saudi work visa from the Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate.
Make sure the Saudi visa information is correct and matches the Canadian passport.

Apply for residence permit

Canadian worker should apply for a residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor, during their 90-day permitted stay in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi residence permit permits the Canadian citizen to work and live in Saudi Arabia for 1-year, or as long as the Canadian worker is still working for the same Saudi company and doing the same type of work.

Processing time

The Saudi e-visa is a fast and easy process, where Canadian nationals will receive their approved Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa visa within 24 hours. Other types of Saudi visas range in processing times, depending on the Saudi visa type the Canadian national is applying for. It is always recommended to apply early in case of possible delays.

Saudi visa fees

Saudi visa fees range in price depending on the type of Saudi visa the Canadian national is applying for.

Visa extension

The Saudi e-visa is not extendable, which means Canadian travelers, wishing to stay longer in Saudi Arabia, should leave Saudi Arabia before their Saudi e-visa expires, then reapply for a new Saudi e-visa before traveling back to Saudi Arabia.

Canadian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia

Embassy of Canada:

Address: Diplomatic Quarter, P.O. Box 94321, Riyadh, 11693, Saudi Arabia.

Telephone: 966 (11) 202-3288

Honorary consul of Canada:

Address: Ali Reza Tower, 12th Floor, Medinah Road, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Telephone: 966 (12) 653-0434

Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Canada:

Address: The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa 201 Sussex Drive K1N 1K6 Ottawa, Ontario Canada.

Telephone: 001-613-2374100

Saudi visas for Canadians FAQ

Canadian passport holders are eligible to apply online for the Saudi e-visa, as well as other types of Saudi visas, depending on their short or long-term travel purposes to Saudi Arabia.

Canadian travelers are eligible to obtain a visa-on-arrival at any Saudi port of entry but are advised to apply online, prior to traveling, in order to avoid airport lines and delays.
No, Canadian nationals are required to apply for a Saudi e-visa, prior to traveling to Saudi Arabia. For tourism purposes, Canadian citizens can apply online for a Saudi e-visa in 3 simple steps. For other long or short-term travel purposes to Saudi Arabia, Canadian citizens should apply for the appropriate Saudi visa type.