Saudi Arabia launches ‘Package Visa’ pilot for tourists

Saudi Arabia has introduced a pilot ‘Package Visa’ scheme designed to streamline entry for international travellers by integrating visa processing into holiday bookings.

Under the new pilot, travellers can book round-trip flights, accommodation at licensed hotels, and their electronic tourist visa application simultaneously through qualified providers.

Read also:

The package is available through approved travel and tourism service providers in selected trial markets, the initiative allows eligible visitors to secure a tourist visa as part of a single, unified travel package.

The program is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Insurance Authority.

It builds on previous entry reforms, including the tourist e-visa, visa-on-arrival, and the Stopover Transit Visa.

Agencies can also bundle events, activities, and local excursions into the same booking.

Commenting on the launch, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, said:

“Saudi Arabia’s tourism story has always been about ambition, openness and continuous progress. With the Package Visa, we are taking the next step: empowering our travel and tourism partners, simplifying the journey for visitors, and creating a smarter, more seamless way to experience Saudi Arabia. This pilot is a glimpse of what comes next, and we invite our partners and future visitors to be part of it.”

The Ministry of Tourism expects the initiative to enhance the appeal of Saudi travel itineraries by eliminating administrative hurdles, encouraging longer stays, and increasing visitor spending. To maintain service standards, only tourism providers meeting strict criteria, including digital booking platforms, round-the-clock technical support, and dedicated customer service centres are permitted to participate.

Rising tourism figures

The launch coincides with a period of significant growth for the Kingdom’s tourism sector. According to the Ministry of Tourism’s 2025 Annual Statistical Report, Saudi Arabia welcomed approximately 123 million inbound and domestic tourists last year, representing a 6 percent increase from 2024.

Total tourism expenditure reached a record SAR 304 billion (a 7 percent year-on-year increase). This follows a 2024 performance where the sector contributed 4.9 percent to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, a figure that continued to expand through 2025.

Shifting Travel Demographics

The data highlights several key trends shaping the region’s tourism landscape:

International growth: The Kingdom recorded 29.3 million international arrivals, generating SAR 176.6 billion in inbound spending, while 93.3 million domestic tourists accounted for SAR 127.1 billion.

Leisure tourism: Non-religious travel made up roughly 52 percent of inbound overnight visits in 2025, a notable rise from 44 percent in 2019.

Employment gains: The workforce within tourism-related industries expanded to nearly 1.03 million jobs in 2025. Notably, Saudi women now represent roughly 47 percent of the local tourism workforce, up from 5 percent at the end of 2018.