Saudi Arabia begins pilot of 'Package Visa' for integrated travel bookings

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has started the pilot phase of a new digital Package Visa system that allows international visitors to secure a visa as part of a combined travel booking covering flights, accommodation and entry processing in a single transaction.

Officials said the initiative is being introduced through approved travel and tourism service providers in selected international markets before a wider rollout around the world. The system is designed to cut down the number of steps involved in arranging travel to the Kingdom by bringing multiple booking elements together on one platform.

Under the new arrangement, eligible travellers can complete their itinerary through one integrated process instead of using separate channels for air tickets, hotels and visa formalities. The platform also gives users the option to add event passes, local activities and tourism experiences to their reservations.

Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said the move was part of efforts to make visits to the Kingdom easier as the tourism sector continues to expand. "As Saudi's tourism sector continues to grow at pace, Package Visa reflects our commitment to making travel to Saudi more seamless for visitors," said Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism.

"By integrating visa issuance with travel bookings, we are simplifying the visitor journey and creating a more connected travel experience. This initiative also strengthens collaboration across the tourism ecosystem and supports Saudi's position as an increasingly accessible global destination," he added.

The Package Visa builds on earlier Saudi measures aimed at easing entry for travellers, including the tourist e-Visa, Visa on Arrival and the Stopover Transit Visa. Those earlier initiatives were followed by a sharp rise in tourism, with the Kingdom receiving more than 29 million inbound visitors in 2025.

Officials said the new facility could also create opportunities for the international travel trade by helping operators put together more competitive itineraries, simplify travel logistics for customers and encourage longer stays.

The Package Visa service is limited to qualified travel operators that meet defined service standards and offer round-the-clock customer support, a restriction Saudi authorities said is intended to protect service quality and traveller security.