Umrah Visa and Nusuk Guide for Travelers from the USA and Canada
Last updated: 25 September 2026. Saudi visa and permit rules change often. Always confirm on the official sources listed at the end before you apply or pay for travel.
Two separate things let you perform Umrah: a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, and an Umrah permit booked through Nusuk. Travellers from the United States and Canada usually need both. This guide explains the visa options, who qualifies, how Nusuk works and how Umrah rules differ from Hajj.
The short answer
- US and Canadian citizens can apply online for the Saudi tourist eVisa, which allows Umrah but not Hajj.
- After you have a visa, register on Nusuk and book your Umrah permit, plus a Rawdah visit if you are going to Madinah.
- Umrah cannot be performed on these visas during the Hajj season.
- Hajj is a different process: it requires a Hajj visa and permit issued through Nusuk.
Visa options for Umrah
| Visa | Who it suits | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa | Citizens of eligible countries, including the US and Canada | Applied for online. The official site describes it as valid for one year, multiple entry, with stays of up to 90 days. Covers Umrah, excluding Hajj. |
| Tourist eVisa for residents and visa holders | Permanent residents of the US, UK or EU, and holders of certain US, UK or Schengen visas | Added in July 2023 for travellers whose own passport is not otherwise eligible. Canadian permanent residence was not included. |
| Umrah visa | Pilgrims travelling specifically for Umrah, including some who are not eVisa-eligible | Issued through Nusuk. Check the current validity and conditions on the Nusuk platform. |
| Transit visa | Travellers with a stopover in Saudi Arabia | The US Embassy lists it as another visa that allows Umrah. Stay length is short, so check the conditions when booking your flight. |
Sources: Saudi eVisa, US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Fragomen (July 2023).
Who qualifies for the tourist eVisa
US citizens
Eligible. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your arrival date and have two blank pages, according to the State Department.
Canadian citizens
Eligible. Canada’s travel advice says your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to leave Saudi Arabia.
US green card holders
Since July 2023, permanent residents of the United States have been eligible for the tourist eVisa even if their passport is from a country that is not otherwise eligible. Check the current conditions on the official site.
Canadian permanent residents
Your eligibility depends on the passport you hold. Canadian permanent residence was not part of the 2023 expansion. If your passport is not eVisa-eligible, look at the Umrah visa route through Nusuk.
How to apply for the tourist eVisa
- Go to the official site, visa.visitsaudi.com. Avoid look-alike sites that charge extra fees.
- Create an account and complete the application with your passport details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Upload a recent passport-style photo and a clear scan of your passport if requested.
- Pay the fee shown on the official site at the time you apply.
- Download the approved eVisa and keep a printed and a digital copy.
Apply for each traveller separately, including children, and check that every name and passport number matches the passport.
Nusuk: the permit you need after your visa
Nusuk is the official platform of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. A visa lets you into the country; Nusuk is where you book the permits for worship.
Umrah permit
- Register in the Nusuk app with your passport and visa details.
- Choose a date and time slot for Umrah that matches your arrival in Makkah.
- Keep the permit on your phone; you may be asked to show it.
Rawdah visit in Madinah
- A visit to the Rawdah (Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah) in Masjid an-Nabawi is also booked through Nusuk.
- Men and women have separate time slots, and slots can be limited at busy times such as Ramadan.
- Book as soon as your Madinah dates are fixed and check the app again if nothing is available.
Umrah and Hajj: different rules
| Umrah | Hajj | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Most of the year, outside the Hajj season | Once a year, in Dhul Hijjah |
| Visa | Tourist eVisa, Umrah visa or transit visa | Hajj visa only; the State Department notes pilgrims cannot travel to Hajj on a tourist, Umrah or work visa |
| Booking | Umrah permit through Nusuk | Hajj packages, payment, visa and permit through Nusuk Hajj |
| Penalty for going without a permit | A Nusuk permit is required to perform Umrah | Fines, deportation or a ban on future visits, according to the US Embassy |
Planning Hajj? Read our Hajj planning guidance.
Health requirements
Saudi Arabia requires Umrah pilgrims to have the quadrivalent (ACYW) meningococcal vaccine. The CDC says it must be given at least 10 days before arrival and is valid for five years (conjugate vaccine) or three years (polysaccharide vaccine). Other requirements can apply depending on where you travel from; the CDC page lists them.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an unofficial visa website. Some sites look official but add fees. Apply at visa.visitsaudi.com or through Nusuk.
- Name or passport mismatches between your visa, flights and Nusuk registration.
- Booking non-refundable travel before checking eligibility, especially for permanent residents travelling on another passport.
- Arriving without an Umrah permit because you assumed the visa was enough.
- Planning Umrah too close to the Hajj season, when Umrah on these visas is not possible.
- Leaving the meningococcal vaccine too late: it must be given at least 10 days before arrival.
How we can help
Visa assistance is part of our Umrah package service. We check which route fits each traveller’s passport and guide you through the documents and the Nusuk steps. The decision on any visa rests with the Saudi authorities. See Umrah packages from the USA or Umrah packages from Canada, or read our step-by-step planning guides for the USA and Canada. Call +1 972 968 7722 or WhatsApp +1 945 335 4921.
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- December and winter break Umrah guide
- Umrah with an Istanbul stopover
- Umrah packing checklist (printable)
- Umrah with elderly parents
- Ramadan Umrah 2027 guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I perform Umrah with a Saudi tourist visa?
Yes. The tourist eVisa covers Umrah, but not Hajj. You also need an Umrah permit from Nusuk.
Is the Umrah permit the same as the visa?
No. The visa lets you enter Saudi Arabia. The Umrah permit, booked in the Nusuk app, is for performing Umrah at a set time.
Can I go for Umrah during the Hajj season?
Not on a tourist, Umrah or transit visa. The US Embassy notes that these visas cannot be used for Umrah during the Hajj season.
I am a permanent resident. Which visa do I need?
US green card holders have been eligible for the tourist eVisa since 2023. Canadian permanent residents depend on the passport they hold, since Canadian permanent residence was not included in that change.
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