Saudi Arabia has taken another strategic step in transforming tourism access, with the launch of the Package Visa pilot.
The Package visa will be offered through approved general travel and tourism service providers in several pilot markets. The new initiative will enable eligible visitors to obtain their tourist visa as part of their travel package.
The service is the result of integrated efforts by the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Insurance Authority, it said.
The initiative builds on Saudi Arabia’s continued efforts to open its doors to more visitors under Saudi Vision 2030. Since launching the tourist e-Visa, the Kingdom has introduced more flexible ways to visit, including visa on arrival, the Stopover Transit Visa, and now the Package Visa. Together, these programs have helped accelerate tourism growth, with Saudi Arabia welcoming over 29 million inbound visitors in 2025.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb 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 Package Visa enables eligible visitors to book their journey through qualified general travel and tourism service providers, bringing together flights, licensed accommodation, and electronic visa application in one integrated package.
For visitors, this means fewer steps and a more connected journey to the Kingdom. Instead of managing separate booking and visa processes, eligible travellers will be able to access integrated packages that include round-trip flights, accommodation in licensed hospitality facilities, and electronic visa application, with the option to add events, activities, and tourism experiences.
For general travel and tourism service providers, the Package Visa opens a timely opportunity to turn high interest in Saudi Arabia into stronger bookings and better customer journeys. By including visa application as part of the package, service providers can remove a key barrier for travelers, make Saudi travel packages more attractive, and create higher-value itineraries that encourage longer stays, richer experiences, and greater visitor spending.
To ensure visitor confidence and satisfaction, only highly capable service providers will qualify, with requirements including digital platforms and 24/7 technical support and call centres, said the ministry. -TradeArabia News Service
