Saudi Arabia is making it easier for international visitors to plan their trips with the launch of a new Package Visa, a pilot initiative that combines tourist visas, flights, and hotel bookings into a single travel package. The programme marks another step in the Kingdom's efforts to simplify travel as it continues to position itself as one of the world's fastest-growing tourism destinations under Vision 2030.
Initially available through approved travel and tourism service providers in selected pilot markets, the new system will allow eligible travellers to obtain their tourist visa as part of their holiday booking rather than applying separately. The initiative is the result of a joint effort between the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia, and the Insurance Authority. Instead of arranging flights, accommodation, and visas independently, eligible travellers will be able to book an integrated package that includes round-trip flights, accommodation at licensed hospitality establishments, and an electronic tourist visa, with the option to add attractions, events, and tourism experiences. The approach is designed to reduce administrative steps while creating a smoother booking experience for visitors. The Package Visa builds on a series of travel reforms introduced since Saudi Arabia opened its doors to international tourism.
Following the launch of the Kingdom's tourist e-Visa, Saudi Arabia has progressively expanded visitor access through initiatives including visa on arrival and the Stopover Transit Visa. Together, these measures have helped accelerate inbound tourism, with the Kingdom welcoming more than 29 million international visitors in 2025 as it works towards its Vision 2030 target of 150 million annual visitors.
Talking about the launch, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, 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.” Al-Khateeb added that the pilot programme offers a glimpse of how travel to the Kingdom could evolve in the years ahead. The initiative is expected to benefit not only travellers but also tour operators and travel companies. By incorporating the visa application into holiday packages, travel providers will be able to offer more convenient booking experiences while creating higher-value itineraries that encourage longer stays and increased visitor spending.
The Ministry said only qualified travel and tourism service providers will participate in the programme. Eligible companies must meet strict operational requirements, including offering digital booking platforms, 24-hour customer support, and dedicated technical assistance to ensure a seamless visitor experience. As Saudi Arabia continues to compete for a larger share of the global tourism market, initiatives such as the Package Visa demonstrate how the Kingdom is increasingly focusing not only on attracting visitors but also on making every stage of the travel journey simpler, faster, and more connected.
