Saudi Arabia is about to launch a digital visa platform, described as the first of its kind, designed to simplify travel and attract high-spending visitors to the kingdom.
This new system, called Visa by Profile, will allow eligible Visa cardholders to apply for and obtain an electronic tourist visa in a matter of minutes. According to Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, who announced the launch on X, this is the “first global initiative” enabling holders of eligible Visa cards to instantly obtain an electronic visa using only their card and passport details.
Eligibility for Visa cardholders
The process is designed to be fast and secure. By analyzing the financial profiles applicants via the issuing banks, the platform verifies both the solvency and eligibility, thereby ensuring compliance with national requirements while significantly reducing processing times.
This initiative was developed through a partnership between the Ministry of Interior, Saudi Tourism Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Visa. It was presented at the Tourise event, following a released by the Saudi Press Agency.
Vision 2030: Welcoming more foreign visitors
The Visa by Profile program is an integral part of Saudi Arabia's broader tourism strategy, which is guided by Vision 2030. The main objective is to attract more visitors and achieve the revised target of 150 million tourists annually.
The program is scheduled to be rolled out in 2026. Although it initially focuses on Visa, there are plans to expand the network. beyond Visa as more global banks and card issuers join the platform.
Towards a broader vision to simplify travel
The launch of this service also reflects broader efforts within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) to simplify cross-border travel.
At the same time, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain will launch a pilot project in December 2025 for a new travel system «one-stop shopping» (one-stop travel system). This system will allow travelers to go through security and immigration checks at a single pre-departure point. This system, which aims to standardize border processes and improve the flow of traffic, should eventually include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. Saudi Arabia and Qatar could join the Cruise Arabia Alliance.
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