Saudi Arabia to launch instant e-visa service to attract high-spend travellers

Saudi Arabia is set to launch a first-of-its-kind digital visa platform designed to streamline travel and attract high-spending visitors to the kingdom.

The new system, Visa by Profile, allows eligible Visa cardholders to apply for and receive an electronic tourist visa within minutes using only their passport details and card information. By analysing financial profiles through issuing banks, the platform verifies solvency and eligibility, ensuring compliance with national requirements while also reducing processing times.

Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Visa, the initiative was introduced during the Tourise event. Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced the launch on X, describing it as “the world’s first initiative enabling eligible Visa cardholders to secure an electronic tourist visa instantly using their card and passport details". 

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The programme is expected to roll out in 2026, with plans to expand beyond Visa as more global banks and card issuers join the network. 

It forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader tourism strategy under Vision 2030 to attract higher-value visitors and reach its revised target of 150 million annual tourists by the end of the decade.

The launch also reflects wider efforts across the GCC to simplify cross-border travel. The UAE and Bahrain will pilot a new ’one-stop’ travel system from December 2025, allowing travellers to complete immigration and security checks at a single pre-departure point. The system, which will eventually encompass Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, aims to standardise border processes and enhance ease of movement across the Gulf countries. 

For more information, visit sta.gov.sa