https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
RIYADH, Jul 12 (Alliance News): Saudi Arabia has launched the pilot phase of its new Package Visa, a digital travel solution designed to simplify the visa application process by allowing international tourists to book flights, hotel accommodation, travel health insurance, and an electronic tourist visa through a single transaction.
The initiative, introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, forms part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to boost tourism and improve visitor experience.
Initially, the Package Visa will be available to citizens of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, and Mexico as part of a limited pilot programme before its global rollout.
Under the new system, travellers must book their trips through registered travel agents using the integrated digital platform.
According to the new requirements, the minimum package cost for the first two days is 4,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately US$1,065) per adult, while each additional day requires a minimum expenditure of 1,000 Saudi Riyals (around US$266).
Applicants will also pay 402.21 Saudi Riyals (about US$107) for the electronic tourist visa and mandatory travel health insurance.
The package must include confirmed return flights and accommodation in a Ministry-approved four-star or higher hotel, while bookings must be completed at least 48 hours before departure.
Saudi authorities said the Package Visa is intended for tourism, leisure travel, visiting family and friends, and performing Umrah, but it does not permit employment or paid work in the Kingdom.
The tourist visa may be issued as either a single-entry or multiple-entry permit and allows visitors to remain in Saudi Arabia for a cumulative maximum of 90 days within a 12-month period.
The Ministry also clarified the distinction between the tourist visa and the Business Visit Visa.
While the tourist visa is limited to leisure and religious travel, the Business Visit Visa is intended for meetings, conferences, negotiations and feasibility studies. It allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days per visit with multiple entries and immediate re-entry after departure, although employment remains prohibited without an appropriate work permit.
Separately, Saudi Arabia has updated regulations governing the issuance of instant corporate work visas through the Human Resources and Social Development Ministry’s Qiwa platform.
Companies operating for less than two years will be allowed to obtain a maximum of five instant work visas, while businesses operating for more than two years with at least a Medium Green Saudisation rating may apply for up to 50 instant visas during each weekly application cycle.
The Kingdom has also extended until December 31, 2026, the deadline for companies to regularise expired work visas of foreign employees. Employers failing to comply may face financial penalties and suspension of access to government digital services.
The new measures are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to modernise its immigration system, attract more international visitors, and support economic diversification under Vision 2030.
