Saudi Arabia’s new visa package combines flights, accommodation and visa processing into one booking
Planning a holiday to Saudi Arabia may soon be as simple as making a single booking.In the latest move to transform the country’s tourism industry, Saudi Arabia has launched the pilot phase of its new Tourist Package Visa service, an initiative that combines flight bookings, hotel reservations and tourist visa processing into one integrated travel package.
The software is designed to eliminate the hassle of arranging each part of a trip individually while providing a smoother experience for visitors from the moment they start planning their trip.The new service reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to make the Kingdom more accessible to international tourists as it moves forward with its ambitious Vision 2030 tourism goals. Instead of navigating between multiple websites and separate apps, eligible travelers can now secure their entire itinerary, including their visas, through approved travel service providers in one digital process.
How does a package visa work in Saudi Arabia?
The new visa package allows visitors to purchase a complete travel package that combines almost every essential part of a holiday.One reservation can include:
- Return ticket
- Accommodation in licensed tourist properties
- Processing the electronic tourist visa
- Tourism activities and cultural experiences
- Entertainment events and tourist attractions
Instead of booking flights first, separately applying for a visa and then searching for hotels, travelers complete everything in one transaction through approved travel and tourism service providers. The government says this significantly reduces paperwork and simplifies the overall travel planning process.
The initiative is also designed to encourage visitors to explore more destinations within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by making it easier to add experiences and activities while booking their trip. Officials believe this integrated approach could encourage longer stays and increase tourism spending across the Kingdom.
Who can apply?
Currently, the program is being offered on a trial basis and is only available through approved “General Category” travel and tourism service providers operating in select international markets.According to the Saudi authorities, the first phase includes visitors coming from:
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Mexico
The pilot also comes with several operational requirements to ensure the system runs smoothly before expanding on a larger scale. This includes fully prepared digital booking platforms, 24/7 ongoing technical support and dedicated visitor communication services.Saudi media reported that package prices start from 4,000 Saudi riyals, while trips must be booked for a period of no less than two days.
Each package can include up to 14 travellers, making the service particularly attractive for families, tour groups and holiday groups.The authorities indicated that the initiative will gradually expand to include additional markets after evaluating the pilot phase.
Tourism growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The visa package is not just a new visa category, it represents another step in Saudi Arabia’s broader transformation of its tourism ecosystem.In recent years, the Kingdom has steadily taken measures to facilitate visiting, including the electronic tourist visa, visa-on-arrival options and transit visas. The latest initiative builds on these reforms by integrating travel services into a single digital customer journey rather than treating visa applications as a separate process.The program is also expected to strengthen partnerships with private travel companies. By allowing agencies to bundle visa arrangements alongside flights, hotels and experiences, operators can offer more comprehensive holiday packages while creating additional value for travellers.
Looking forward
Officials hope these rich itineraries will encourage visitors to stay longer and explore more of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding tourism offerings.The timing reflects the remarkable tourism growth witnessed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to official figures, the Kingdom received more than 29 million international visitors in 2025, highlighting the rapid expansion of the tourism sector as the country works to become one of the world’s leading travel destinations under Vision 2030.With the launch of its Visa Package pilot programme, Saudi Arabia is signaling that the future of travel may be less about paperwork and more about convenience, bringing flights, accommodation, experiences and entry permits together into one seamless booking designed to make discovering the Kingdom easier than ever before.
