Applying for a Saudi Tourist Visa for Canadian Citizens

Introduction

If you’ve never been to the Middle East, you may want to set your sights on Saudi Arabia. With its wealth of natural wonders, sumptuous local cuisine, and rich heritage, it’s a tourist destination like no other. Home to the breathtaking Farasan Islands and the majestic Masjid al-Haram, you’ll never run out of beautiful sights to behold in the country.

Just in time. Saudi Arabia is investing billions in its tourism sector to attract over 100 million annual visitors by 2030, with partnerships with international brands.

How can Canadian citizens apply for a Saudi tourist visa? What’s the process like and what are the requirements? Read on to learn more.

Applying for a Saudi tourist visa

Saudi Arabia has opened its gates further to the world, and as part of its objective of boosting tourism, it has identified over 60 countries that can apply for a Saudi electronic visa or e-visa. The Saudi e-visa covers various travel purposes such as tourism, business, seeking medical treatment, to performing Umrah. The great thing about the Saudi e-visa as well is that it will just take you a few minutes to apply, plus, you get to do so from the comfort of your home.

The Saudi e-visa

The Saudi tourist e-visa is the easiest and simplest visa you can apply for if you are a Canadian citizen. The Saudi e-visa program, launched in September 2019, makes it easier for citizens from eligible countries to secure a Saudi visa. It allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for various purposes such as tourism, business, and even Umrah.

Under Saudi Arabia’s new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia no longer need to get a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa.

Apart from eligible nationalities (including dual citizens from eligible countries), permanent residents in the US, EU, or the UK; holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK); and residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).
What’s great about the e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season).

Eligibility

Now that you know what a Saudi e-visa is and how it works, you can check if you can apply for one. The following individuals can apply for an e-visa, provided they are:

1. Citizens of the following countries:

North America: Canada, Panama, US, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Europe: Andorra, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom,

Asia: Brunei, China (Including Hong Kong And Macau), Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Tajikistan, Turkey, Thailand, Uzbekistan

Africa: South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

2. Permanent residents in the USA, EU, or the UK

3. Holders of visit visas (Schengen visa, USA visa, UK visa)

4. Residents in one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates)
As mentioned, Canadian citizens are automatically eligible for a Saudi e-visa as Canada is among the over 60 countries eligible for one.

Application

To apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa, visit KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications. KSA Visa serves as a comprehensive guide to the Saudi Arabia visa application process, requirements, and corresponding fees.

The website uses a smart search engine to help users identify available visas and a centralized system that details visa requirements and application procedures. Users can set up a personal profile to simplify future applications. The platform uses AI (artificial intelligence) and other new technologies to help ensure accurate verification and overall efficiency.

To apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa, sign up for an account on KSA Visa, provide your personal and passport information, pay for the insurance and visa application fees, and just wait for the e-visa to be e-mailed to you.

The following is a detailed guide on the steps involved:

1. Go To The Saudi E-visa Website
   Create your account on KSA Visa. If you already have an account, you can already log in. You must provide your email address, your password, answer the security question, and enter the captcha code.
2. Personal Information
   Upload your passport photo and make sure it meets the requirements. The digital passport photo must have a white background and be in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats. The file size must not exceed 100 KB and it should measure 200×200 pixels in dimension.Next, provide personal information such as your name, country of nationality, gender, date of birth, country of birth, profession, and current address.
3. Passport Information
   Provide your passport type, passport number, expiry date, purpose of visit, and your address in Saudi Arabia. If you’re staying at a hotel, indicate the hotel address and its contact number.
4. Medical Insurance
   You need medical insurance that covers the stay of your trip. Make sure to select from the provided medical insurance providers in Saudi Arabia. Complete the application form with all the relevant information. Ensure all information is correct.
5. Terms And Conditions
   Read carefully through the terms and conditions. If you’re satisfied you can agree to the conditions and click “Next.”
6. Review And Pay
   You must check that every detail you provide is correct and up to date. If you enter incorrect information, your visa can get rejected.After you review your application, you can pay the visa fee with a credit or debit card.Once you submit your application, the processing time starts. You’ll receive an email with your Saudi e-visa attached once it has been processed.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, you will need the following:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Digital passport photo with a white background (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Accomplished application form
• Health insurance

Validity

The Saudi e-visa will be valid for one year from the date of issuance and it will be valid for multiple entries. You can stay for a total of 3 months or 90 days in Saudi Arabia, as long as your Schengen visa is still valid during your stay. Note that once you are granted a Saudi e-visa, its validity cannot be extended.

Visa fees

The cost of the Saudi e-visa will vary depending on the purpose of the travel, but for tourism purposes, the Saudi tourist e-visa costs SAR 535 (USD 142.64). As mentioned, the fee already includes the fee for the medical insurance selected during the e-visa application process. Note that the payment must be made in Saudi Riyals with an international debit or credit card.

Remember as well that the visa fees are non-refundable in case the e-visa is rejected.

Processing time

Now that you’ve completed your online visa application form, it’s time to wait. The processing time can take anywhere between 1 minute to 3 business days. You’ll know if your visa has been approved once you receive an e-mail from KSA Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we’ve covered the different ways Canadian citizens can apply for a Saudi tourist visa, you may still have other questions about it. The following are helpful answers to some related frequently asked questions.

Can I apply for another tourist visa?

You may not apply for another tourist visa if you are currently under a valid Saudi tourist visa. You may re-apply for a new tourist visa once the current one expires.

Can I extend my stay in Saudi Arabia with an e-visa?

Note that if you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

Is it possible to amend my data after submitting the visa application?

You cannot make changes to a Saudi e-visa if there is a mistake in the visa holder’s declared information apart from his/her nationality or passport number. As you cannot modify an e-visa, it will need to be canceled and you will need to re-apply for a new e-visa.

If, however, the embassy issued the visa with an incorrect nationality or passport number, then a new visa with the correct nationality or passport number can be issued for a fee. It won’t be necessary to cancel or revoke the old visa.

Is it possible for your Saudi visa on arrival to be rejected?

Although there are clear guidelines on who is eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival, remember that any visa is a conditional document and the final say will have to come from the immigration officer.

Yes, it’s possible for a Saudi visa on arrival to be rejected. Some of the possible reasons may be insufficient documents, previous visa violations, inaccurate or incomplete personal information, falsification of travel history, health issues, or insufficient funds.

What should I wear while I’m in Saudi Arabia?

Both men and women should dress modestly while in Saudi Arabia, otherwise they potentially face penalties. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes or clothes displaying profane language or images. Women should cover their shoulders and knees when in public.

Generally, wearing long, loose tops, long pants or trousers, or long skirts up to the ankle is safe. The only time you should not abide by this rule is when the situation calls for different attire, such as when swimming. Similarly, choose to wear modest swimming attire.

Conclusion

As Saudi Arabia opens its gates further to the world, it invests billions in its tourism sector. February 2024 reports indicate that the country is investing $800 billion in tourism infrastructure, with several “giga” projects and partnerships with international brands, and in the hopes of attracting over 150 billion annual visitors by 2030.

With its wealth of natural wonders, architectural marvels, and delicious cuisine, travelers have endless options for sightseeing.

Canadian citizens, in particular, have the privilege of being among those eligible to apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa, which is the simplest, easiest, and most convenient way of applying for a Saudi visa. As it is transacted online, it can be processed in minutes, and without appearing at a Saudi embassy or consulate.

For more information on how to apply for a Saudi tourist visa, visit KSA Visa.

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