To travel you must have :

– A passport valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia.

NOTE: If you have dual nationality, it is not possible to travel with your foreign passport.

– A photo for the visa

– Proof of vaccination against meningitis ACYW135 dated more than 10 days before departure,
– A French residence permit or a receipt accompanied by the expired residence permit for foreigners.

Mahram

All women are authorized to travel without a mahram from the age of 18.

Zamzam

Pilgrims are allowed to return to France with Zamzam water. The authorized quantity is 5 liters (7riyals).

Vaccine

– The ACYW135 meningitis vaccine is compulsory for all (infants, children, adults and the elderly). The vaccine must be administered no later than 10 days before entering Saudi Arabia.
– Proof of vaccination must be provided to the agency before air tickets are issued.
– The vaccine can be administered at a vaccination center or by a general practitioner.
– The vaccine is partially reimbursed by social security, with the remainder to be paid by you. The cost is around €60.

Payment

Payment for Umrah can be made in instalments, by bank transfer, cash or credit card. Full payment must be received no later than one month before departure.

Climate

The climate in Saudi Arabia is hot and dry. Temperatures range from around 25 to 40 degrees Celsius. In summer, temperatures can easily rise to 50 degrees.

Time difference

+7 compared to Quebec.

Language

To communicate on site, you need to be fluent in Arabic, English or Urdu. Our French-speaking guides will be on hand to help you if necessary.

Electricity

Sockets are different from those in France: they are English plugs. You’ll need to buy an adapter, which you can easily find locally for around 5 Riyals.

Currency

The local currency is the Saudi Riyal. 1 Riyal is worth around 0.36 Canadian dollars. The exchange rate varies regularly. It is preferable to change your money locally rather than in Canada. Bring cash, but not too much! Bags are often forgotten.

Medical

The change of country, climate and eating habits can cause health problems. We advise you to take some medication with you. People undergoing treatment or suffering from an illness should be even more vigilant, and not forget their prescriptions. The mixing of populations increases the risk of being contaminated by a virus or bacteria.