RIYADH (special crosspondent) – Saudi Arabia has unveiled a new ‘Package Visa’ pilot initiative designed to allow international travellers to secure a tourist visa as part of a complete holiday package, signalling a significant step towards simplifying travel procedures and bolstering the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding tourism sector.

According to a report by Saudi Gazette, the pilot programme empowers eligible visitors to obtain their tourist visa concurrently with booking a travel package through designated and approved travel agencies. This integrated approach bundles visa processing with essential travel services, including airline tickets, hotel reservations, and other tourism-related offerings, thereby cultivating a more convenient and seamless travel experience for all.

Joint Development and Phased Rollout

The groundbreaking initiative has been collaboratively developed by key governmental bodies: the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Insurance Authority. Currently, the programme is being introduced in select international markets, with plans for a broader rollout anticipated in the near future.

Ministerial Endorsement and Accessibility Goals

Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, stated that the Package Visa represents another significant milestone in the Kingdom’s overarching efforts to establish Saudi Arabia as one of the world’s most accessible and appealing tourist destinations. He further noted that the programme is strategically designed to simplify travel planning processes while concurrently providing crucial support to licensed travel operators within the sector.

Eligibility Criteria for Travel Providers

As reported by Saudi Gazette, participation in the pilot phase is exclusively reserved for travel providers that demonstrably meet specific operational requirements. These prerequisites include the implementation of advanced digital booking systems and the provision of continuous customer support, ensuring a high standard of service delivery.

Expansion of Recent Travel Reforms

The innovative new visa model builds upon Saudi Arabia’s recent series of progressive travel reforms. These include the established tourist e-Visa, convenient visa-on-arrival facilities, and the Stopover Transit Visa. Officials express strong confidence that this latest initiative will serve as a catalyst for attracting a greater volume of international visitors, encouraging extended tourist stays, and ultimately driving increased spending across the entire tourism industry.

Remarkable Growth and Vision 2030 Success

The Saudi Gazette further reported that Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has experienced remarkable and sustained growth in recent years. The Kingdom successfully welcomed over 29 million international visitors in 2025, a testament to the effective implementation of its Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the national economy with tourism as a central pillar.