Saudi Arabia Transit Visa from Canada

A Saudi Arabia Transit Visa, also known as a Saudi Stopover Visa or Transit/Stopover Visa, allows eligible international travellers passing through Saudi Arabia to enter the Kingdom for a limited period before continuing to their final destination.

This visa is designed for travellers whose journey includes a stop in Saudi Arabia and who wish to leave the airport, visit the country, or spend time exploring its attractions before continuing their trip.

Under Saudi Arabia's modern Transit/Stopover Visa programme, eligible travellers may enter the Kingdom for up to 96 hours (4 days).

What Can You Do with a Saudi Transit Visa?

Depending on the visa issued and the applicable Saudi regulations, a Transit/Stopover Visa may allow visitors to:

• Explore Saudi Arabia: Visit destinations such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and other Saudi cities during an authorized stopover.
• Visit Historical Attractions: Discover cultural landmarks, heritage sites, museums, and tourist destinations.
• Perform Umrah: Eligible Muslim travellers may perform Umrah outside the restricted Hajj period, subject to applicable permits and regulations.
• Visit Madinah: Visit the Prophet's Mosque and other permitted religious and historical sites.
• Attend Business Meetings: Participate in permitted short business meetings or discussions during the stopover.
• Enjoy a Short Holiday: Spend a few days in Saudi Arabia before continuing to the final destination.

How Long Can You Stay in Saudi Arabia?

Under the airline-linked Transit/Stopover Visa programme:

• Visa Validity: Generally three months from issuance.
• Permitted Stay: Up to 96 hours from entry.
• Number of Entries: Single entry.
• Extension: The standard 96-hour Stopover Visa cannot be extended.

The permitted stay is separate from the visa validity period.

Travellers must depart Saudi Arabia before their authorized stay expires.

Do You Need a Transit Visa Just to Change Flights?

Not necessarily.

Travellers making an international connection at a Saudi airport may not require a visa if they remain in the international transit area and meet the applicable airport and airline requirements.

However, a visa may be necessary if you:

• Leave the international transit area.
• Pass through Saudi immigration control.
• Need to collect and recheck baggage.
• Travel on separate tickets requiring entry into Saudi Arabia.
• Transfer to a domestic flight.
• Have a connection that exceeds the permitted airside transit period.

Important: Whether a visa is required depends on your nationality, airport, airline, flight arrangements, and length of connection.

Travellers should confirm their transit arrangements with their airline before departure.

Saudi Arabia offers transit and stopover visa options for eligible international travellers passing through the Kingdom on their way to another destination.

Eligibility depends on the traveller's nationality, passport, airline, travel itinerary, and applicable visa programme.

Canadian Passport Holders

Canadian citizens holding valid Canadian passports have several convenient options when transiting through Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Tourist Visa on Arrival

Canadian passport holders are eligible to apply for a Saudi Tourist Visa upon arrival at an authorized Saudi entry point, subject to the applicable entry requirements.

This option may allow eligible Canadian travellers to enter Saudi Arabia during a stopover without obtaining a separate Transit/Stopover Visa in advance.

Saudi Tourist eVisa

Canadian passport holders can also apply for a Saudi Tourist eVisa online before departure.

This provides an alternative for eligible travellers who prefer to arrange their entry visa before arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Transit/Stopover Visa

Canadian travellers flying on qualifying Saudia or flynas itineraries may also apply for a dedicated Transit/Stopover Visa through the relevant airline booking process.

Canadian Permanent Residents Holding Foreign Passports

Foreign nationals living in Canada, including Canadian permanent residents, may also qualify for a Saudi Transit/Stopover Visa.

However, eligibility is determined by the applicant's passport nationality and the rules of the applicable visa programme.

Canadian permanent resident status does not automatically provide the same visa-on-arrival eligibility as Canadian citizenship.

Travellers holding passports from other countries should confirm their Saudi visa eligibility before booking their flights.

General Eligibility Requirements

Travellers may need to satisfy the following conditions:

• Valid Passport: Hold a passport meeting the relevant Saudi entry requirements, generally including at least six months of remaining validity.
• Qualifying Travel Itinerary: Have a confirmed journey through Saudi Arabia to an onward destination.
• Approved Airline Booking: Meet the requirements of the participating airline when using an airline-linked Transit/Stopover Visa.
• Permitted Stopover Duration: Remain within the authorized period.
• Onward Travel Documents: Hold any visa or entry authorization required for the final destination.
• Medical Insurance: Complete the insurance arrangements required by the selected visa programme.
• Saudi Entry Requirements: Satisfy any additional conditions imposed by the relevant Saudi authorities.

Not sure whether you need a Transit Visa? VIA TRAVEL can provide general guidance concerning the available options and direct you to the appropriate official application channels.

Saudi Arabia provides several entry options for travellers who want to spend time in the Kingdom.

These options should not be confused because they have different eligibility requirements, application procedures, and permitted stays.

Saudi Transit/Stopover Visa

Designed for eligible travellers passing through Saudi Arabia on their way to another destination.

The modern airline-linked Transit/Stopover Visa allows an authorized stay of up to 96 hours.

Qualifying travellers can apply through participating airlines, including Saudia and flynas.

This visa is intended for a single stopover and cannot ordinarily be extended.

Saudi Tourist eVisa

Designed for eligible travellers visiting Saudi Arabia for tourism and other activities permitted under the Tourist Visa category.

Canadian passport holders are eligible to apply electronically through the official Saudi tourism visa platform.

The standard Tourist eVisa generally provides one-year validity with multiple entries and an authorized total stay of up to 90 days, subject to the visa's conditions.

A Tourist eVisa may be suitable for eligible travellers who want greater flexibility than a four-day stopover.

Saudi Tourist Visa on Arrival

Saudi Arabia allows passport holders from eligible countries, including Canada, to apply for a Tourist Visa upon arrival.

For Canadian citizens, this can provide an alternative to obtaining a separate Transit/Stopover Visa before travelling.

A Tourist Visa on Arrival is not the same visa category as a Transit Visa.

The eligibility requirements, fees, and permitted duration are determined by the Saudi authorities.

Airport Transit Without Entering Saudi Arabia

Travellers who remain within the international transit area of a Saudi airport may not need an entry visa, depending on the circumstances.

This is different from obtaining a Transit/Stopover Visa to enter Saudi Arabia.

Passengers must verify the applicable rules with their airline, particularly when travelling on separate tickets or transferring between terminals or flights.

Which Option Should You Choose?

The appropriate option depends on your nationality, flight arrangements, transit duration, and whether you intend to enter Saudi Arabia.

Canadian passport holders may find a Tourist eVisa or Tourist Visa on Arrival more suitable in certain circumstances.

Other travellers may benefit from the dedicated Transit/Stopover Visa when their itinerary qualifies.

VIA TRAVEL can provide general information to help you understand these distinctions.

The documents required for a Saudi Transit Visa depend on the traveller's nationality and the type of entry authorization being requested.

For eligible airline-linked Transit/Stopover Visa applications, the process is generally completed electronically as part of the qualifying flight booking.

Valid Passport

Travellers generally require a passport valid for at least six months from their intended date of entry into Saudi Arabia.

The passport must also meet any additional conditions associated with the selected visa programme.

Confirmed Airline Reservation

An eligible flight booking is required for airline-linked Transit/Stopover Visa applications.

The itinerary should show:

• Traveller's full name.
• Arrival flight into Saudi Arabia.
• Departure flight from Saudi Arabia.
• Travel dates and flight numbers.
• Final destination.
• Qualifying stopover period.

For the Saudia and flynas Stopover Visa programmes, passengers generally apply through the relevant airline's booking process, subject to the airline's eligibility conditions.

Onward Travel Authorization

Travellers must hold the documents necessary to enter their final destination.

Depending on the nationality and destination, this may include a valid visa, electronic travel authorization, or other entry permission.

Saudi transit authorization does not replace the immigration requirements of the country to which you are travelling.

Personal Photograph

A digital personal photograph may be required depending on the selected electronic visa service.

Travellers should follow the photograph specifications displayed by the official visa platform or participating airline.

Medical Insurance

Medical insurance is included as a required component of certain Transit/Stopover Visa programmes.

Although the airline-linked Stopover Visa itself may be issued without a government visa fee, administrative charges and medical insurance fees generally apply.

Additional Information

Depending on the programme and nationality, applicants may be asked to provide:

• Passport information.
• Contact details.
• Nationality and country of residence.
• Accommodation details, where required.
• Onward destination information.
• Additional documents required by the electronic application system.

Are Physical Documents Submitted to the Saudi Embassy in Ottawa?

No. VIA TRAVEL does not submit Saudi Transit Visa applications to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa.

For travellers applying from Canada, the relevant transit and stopover visa arrangements are handled through the applicable electronic services, participating airlines, or authorized entry procedures.

VIA TRAVEL can provide general information concerning these options but does not offer the traditional embassy application submission service for Transit Visas.

Saudi transit requirements can sometimes be confusing, particularly when travellers have different passport nationalities, multiple flight connections, or plans to leave the airport during a stopover.

As an approved Saudi visa processing agent in Canada, VIA TRAVEL is familiar with the different Saudi visa categories and can provide general information about the options available to travellers.

Understanding Your Transit Requirements

VIA TRAVEL can provide general guidance on whether your circumstances may require a Saudi entry visa.

Important factors include your nationality, itinerary, length of stopover, and whether you intend to pass through Saudi immigration control.

Explaining Visa Options for Canadian Travellers

Canadian citizens may qualify for the Saudi Tourist Visa on Arrival or the Tourist eVisa.

VIA TRAVEL can explain how these options differ from the dedicated Transit/Stopover Visa.

Information for Foreign Passport Holders

Canadian permanent residents holding foreign passports may be subject to different Saudi entry requirements.

VIA TRAVEL can direct travellers to the official resources used to establish eligibility for their nationality.

Guidance on Airline-Linked Stopover Visas

Saudia and flynas offer electronic Transit/Stopover Visa arrangements for qualifying flights.

VIA TRAVEL can provide general information about these programmes and direct travellers to the appropriate official airline services.

Understanding Umrah During Transit

Eligible Muslim travellers may be able to perform Umrah during an authorized stopover, subject to the relevant Saudi regulations and Nusuk requirements.

VIA TRAVEL can explain the distinction between a Transit/Stopover Visa and visas intended for longer religious visits.

Important Information About VIA TRAVEL's Role

VIA TRAVEL does not provide Embassy submission or visa issuance services for Saudi Transit Visas.

Transit Visa applications are handled through the applicable Saudi electronic services, participating airlines, or authorized visa-on-arrival procedures.

Our role for this category is limited to general information and guidance.

Visa eligibility, issuance, travel conditions, and final entry decisions remain with the Saudi authorities.

The appropriate procedure depends on your nationality and whether you qualify for an electronic Stopover Visa or another Saudi entry option.

Step 1 - Review Your Flight Itinerary

Check whether your journey involves an international connection through Saudi Arabia.

Confirm your arrival and departure airports, connecting flight times, airline arrangements, and whether you will need to pass through immigration control.

If you are remaining in the international transit area, ask your airline whether an entry visa is required.

Step 2 - Confirm Your Visa Eligibility

Identify your passport nationality and determine whether you qualify for:

• A Saudi Tourist Visa on Arrival.
• A Saudi Tourist eVisa.
• An airline-linked Transit/Stopover Visa.
• Another authorized Saudi transit procedure.

Canadian passport holders may qualify for a Tourist Visa on Arrival or an eVisa.

Foreign passport holders should confirm their individual eligibility.

Step 3 - Choose the Appropriate Visa Option

If you are travelling with Saudia or flynas on a qualifying itinerary, review the airline's Transit/Stopover Visa programme.

If you are eligible for a Saudi Tourist eVisa, you can apply through the official electronic visa portal.

Eligible travellers who choose to obtain a Tourist Visa on Arrival should confirm the requirements with their airline before departure.

Step 4 - Complete the Applicable Procedure

For a qualifying Transit/Stopover Visa, follow the participating airline's application instructions.

Provide the required passport and travel information, complete any applicable insurance arrangements, and pay the necessary administrative charges.

Once approved, the electronic visa is generally delivered to the email address associated with the application.

Step 5 - Confirm Your Documents Before Travelling

Before departure, verify:

• Passport validity.
• Saudi entry authorization, if required.
• Confirmed onward flight.
• Final destination entry documents.
• Permitted stopover duration.
• Applicable immigration and travel restrictions.

If you have received an electronic visa, keep a copy available during check-in and travel.

Important Information About Processing Times

Eligible airline-linked Transit/Stopover Visas are generally issued electronically, often shortly after the required booking and application process is completed.

However, issuance is not guaranteed and additional review or technical delays may occur.

Travellers should not assume that a visa will always be issued instantly.

Where an entry visa is required, confirm its issuance or your eligibility for visa on arrival before travelling.