Saudi Arabia recently unveiled an instant electronic visa system called the Saudi Arabia instant e-visa that allows eligible Visa cardholders to secure tourist visas within minutes, marking an important step toward faster and easier international travel.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced the initiative, highlighting that under “Visa by Profile,” applicants can obtain an e-visa with just their Visa card and passport data.
He shared his development through a post on X, noting it had officially launched during the TOURISE25 summit, an international gathering of global leaders from travel, tourism and technology sectors.
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The instant e-visa system has been created in cooperation between the Ministry of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Saudi Tourism Authority, and Visa Inc. as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in digital transformation.
Al-Khateeb noted the aim of the initiative was to eliminate unnecessary steps, speed up entry procedures and create a travel experience that meets global expectations of modern tourism services.
He noted that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to simple, connected, and technology-driven tourism with this innovation, further cementing its place among the fastest-growing travel destinations globally.
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Saudi Arabia continues to gain international renown for its tourism growth, taking first place among G20 nations for international tourist arrivals in 2024 and leading globally in terms of revenue expansion.
As Saudi Arabia reached its ambitious target of 100 million tourists six years early in 2023, they have set themselves a higher goal: 150 million annual visitors by 2030.
As Riyadh hosted its three-day TOURISE25 summit, its Minister unveiled three initiatives aimed at revitalizing tourism sector and supporting long-term development: Agency Tourism, TOURISE Destination and Beyond Tourism.
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He added that these initiatives will also strengthen the professional workforce, with new partnerships formed with global hospitality and tourism training institutes.
Al-Khateeb asserted that the Kingdom has long recognized the key role people play in tourism growth, with improving skills and training being essential for sustaining its rapid expansion.
The TOURISE25 Summit, under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focused on innovation and sustainability while participants discussed global collaboration for tourism development.
Officials confirmed that the next edition of TOURISE summit is set for March 2027, with hopes of showcasing additional technological advances and strategic developments within the tourism sector.
