Saudi Tourism Authority Announces "Package Visa" Digital Initiative
On 7 July 2026, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) issued a press release announcing the launch of Package Visa, a fully digital programme that integrates tourist visa applications directly with curated travel bookings. The initiative is designed to simplify the visitor journey by allowing eligible travelers to book flights, accommodation, events and activities in a single transaction, while the visa is processed concurrently.
The rollout is currently being conducted through qualified travel and tourism service providers operating in selected international markets, with a broader global expansion planned for later phases. Providers must meet defined service standards and offer 24/7 customer support to participate in the scheme.
Package Visa builds on Saudi’s earlier visa facilitation measures, including the e‑Visa, visa‑on‑arrival, and the Stopover Transit Visa, all of which have contributed to rapid tourism growth. In 2025, Saudi welcomed more than 29 million inbound visitors, underscoring the sector’s expansion.
His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism, stated that the Package Visa reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to making travel “more seamless for visitors” and that integrating visa issuance with travel bookings will create a “more connected travel experience” while strengthening collaboration across the tourism ecosystem.
For travelers, the key benefit is a reduced number of steps between trip planning and arrival, with the option to add events, activities and tourism experiences to the same booking. For participating service providers, the programme offers an opportunity to craft more attractive travel packages, streamline the customer journey, and potentially encourage longer stays and richer experiences.
The STA, established in June 2020, is responsible for marketing Saudi’s tourism destinations worldwide, developing destination offerings, and supporting industry partners through programmes and business support. It operates 16 representative offices covering 38 countries. Further information on Package Visa is available at visitsaudi.com/PackageVisa and on the STA website www.VisitSaudi.com.