Hajj 2025

Original publication date: March 31, 2025

Updated: April 22, 2025

Current situation

The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest annual mass gatherings in the world, with approximately two million participants every year. The Hajj takes place from the 8th to the 13th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar. This year, the pilgrimage is expected to take place from June 4 to 9, 2025.

Large crowds (mass gatherings) can increase your risk of getting sick or injured. Pilgrims performing the Hajj may be at higher risk of exposure to some infectious diseases, such as measles, meningococcal meningitis, COVID-19, and influenza.

In 2024 and 2025, there have been reported cases of meningococcal disease linked to Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia. Make sure you are vaccinated with a quadrivalent (ACYW) meningococcal vaccine before travelling, as required by Saudi Arabia.

Learn more:

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Recommendations

Before your trip

Talk to a healthcare provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably about 6 weeks before your trip to get personalized health advice. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it’s still worthwhile to make an appointment.

Discuss with the healthcare provider: 

• which pre-travel vaccines or medications may be right for you
• whether your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Many require a booster as an adult
• the medications you're currently taking or planning to bring with you

Each year, the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issues health requirements and guidelines for those wishing to participate in Hajj. Make sure you meet all requirements and can provide proof of all required vaccinations before leaving Canada.

Health requirements and recommendations for travellers to Hajj (external)

Before you leave and during your stay in Saudi Arabia, make sure to check the Travel Advice and Advisories page and review the current travel health notices for the most up-to-date information and advice.

Travel health notices
Saudi Arabia travel advice

Pack a travel health kit and consider purchasing travel insurance.

Travel health kit
Travel insurance

Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.

Registration of Canadians Abroad

Learn more:

Tips for healthy travel 
Advice for older travellers

During your trip

Be prepared for emergencies

• The risk of accidental injury increases in large crowds (e.g., stampedes).
• If possible, avoid very crowded areas.
• Know where to find medical care if needed.  
• Carry information about any existing medical conditions. 

The Government of Canada’s offices abroad can assist Canadian citizens in case of an emergency. Carry the contact information for the nearest Canadian office. The Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa is open 24/7. 

Embassy of Canada to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh
Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Clean your hands regularly

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

• This is especially important before eating and after using the washroom.
• Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer with you when you travel.
• If your hands are visibly dirty, you should wash them with soap and water instead of using hand sanitizer.

Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases

Protect yourself from person-to-person infections

• Choose an officially licensed barber who uses only disposable, single-use blades.
• Reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections by:
  • staying away from others if you’re sick
  • wearing a well-fitted mask, especially if you're not feeling well
  • covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures 

Protect yourself from insect bites 

Insects can carry and spread diseases, such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Practise safe food, water, and animal precautions

• Don’t eat raw or undercooked (rare) meat. Only eat foods that are well cooked and served hot.
• Avoid unpasteurized dairy products such as raw camel milk.
• Don’t drink camel urine.
• Avoid close contact with camels.
• If you must visit a farm or market, make sure you clean your hands before and after contact with animals. 

Eat and drink safely abroad
Prevention of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

Follow sun and heat safety tips 

• Heat-related illnesses and dehydration are common during the Hajj.
• Plan activities to avoid peak heat times and seek shade where possible.
• Make sure to stay hydrated and eat regularly.

Sun and heat safety tips for travellers

Abide by local laws

Visit the Government of Canada's Travel Advice and Advisories page for the most up-to-date information on laws and culture in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia – Laws and culture

Monitor your health

Tell the medical staff accompanying your group, or the local health services, if you:

• develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath
• have other symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea

Learn more:

If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return

Returning to Canada

If you begin to feel sick during your travel back to Canada, you should:

• put on a well-fitting respirator or mask, if possible
• limit contact with other people, if possible
• inform the flight attendant and/or a border services officer as soon as possible. You may be referred to a quarantine officer for a health assessment and further direction

If you begin to feel sick after you return to Canada, you should:

• limit contact with other people
• call a healthcare provider and notify them about your symptoms before an in-person appointment, so they can take proper precautions, if necessary
• tell the healthcare provider where you have travelled

Learn more:

If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return