Breaking News: Saudi Arabia Launches Instant E-Visa System — Get Tourist Visa in Minutes
Saudi Arabia has officially launched the Instant E-Visa System, a revolutionary upgrade that allows travelers to receive a Saudi tourist visa within minutes. This major announcement was made by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb during the TOURISE25 Summit in Riyadh. With this step, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position as one of the fastest-growing tourism hubs in the world. The new system uses the “Visa by Profile” feature, making the entire visa experience seamless, digital, and extremely fast.
The Saudi Arabia Instant E-Visa System perfectly fits this development, as the Kingdom aims to make international travel easier than ever before. This move comes as Saudi Arabia surpasses global tourism benchmarks and pushes ahead with its Vision 2030 tourism goals.
What Is the Saudi Arabia Instant E-Visa System?
The Saudi Arabia Instant E-Visa System is a new digital initiative that allows eligible travelers to get a complete tourist e-visa within minutes using only their Visa card details and passport information. The system has been jointly developed by:
• Ministry of Interior
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Saudi Tourism Authority
• Visa Inc.
This partnership shows the Kingdom’s commitment to improving the travel experience through innovation and technology.
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How “Visa by Profile” Works
The new Visa by Profile system is designed to eliminate the traditional, time-consuming visa process. Instead of lengthy approvals and document submissions, travelers can now:
- Enter their passport details
- Enter their Visa card information
- Receive a tourist e-visa instantly
This automated verification system checks traveler eligibility in real time, and the visa is issued within minutes. It is currently one of the fastest tourist visa systems in the world, aligning perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation goals.
Who Is Eligible for the Instant E-Visa?
Saudi Arabia has opened the Instant E-Visa service to eligible Visa cardholders, especially those with strong travel histories and international card usage records. More countries are expected to be added in the coming months as the system expands globally.
Eligibility is based on:
• Passport information
• Visa card history
• Country of issuance
• Travel profile scoring
More details are expected to be released by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the summit.
Why Saudi Arabia Introduced This New Visa System
Saudi Arabia aims to become one of the top global tourism destinations by 2030. The launch of the Saudi Arabia Instant E-Visa System helps achieve several goals:
• Boost international tourist arrivals
• Reduce visa processing time
• Improve the digital travel experience
• Encourage global visitors to explore Saudi attractions
• Support air travel growth and hospitality expansion
The Kingdom has already surpassed its target of 100 million visitors by 2023—six years ahead of schedule—and now aims for 150 million tourists annually by 2030.
Additional Tourism Initiatives Announced
At the closing ceremony of the TOURISE25 Summit, Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb also announced three new initiatives:
1. Agentic Tourism
A new AI-powered approach to enhance traveler experience and provide personalized tourism journeys.
2. TOURISE Destination
A global platform designed to highlight emerging destinations within Saudi Arabia.
3. Beyond Tourism
A major framework that connects tourism with education, sustainability, and workforce development.
The minister also confirmed new partnerships with world-leading hospitality institutions to boost training, skills development, and employment opportunities for young Saudis.
Impact on Pakistani Tourists
Pakistani travelers already form one of the largest visitor groups to Saudi Arabia, especially for Umrah and tourism. This new system will make travel:
• Faster
• Easier
• More digital
• Less dependent on documentation
More clarity on Pakistani eligibility under the Visa by Profile category is expected soon.
Benefits of the Instant E-Visa System
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Instant approval | Visa within minutes |
| Digital process | No paperwork or embassy visits |
| Visa card verification | Automatic eligibility check |
| Tourist-friendly | Ideal for last-minute travel |
| Future-ready | Supports Vision 2030 tourism expansion |
How the New E-Visa System Boosts Tourism
The Kingdom is heavily investing in tourism megaprojects including NEOM, Red Sea Global, AlUla, Diriyah Gate, and more. Simplifying the visa process means:
• Easier global access
• More international flights
• Higher hotel occupancies
• Stronger tourism revenue
Saudi Arabia wants tourism to become a major economic pillar, and this system directly supports that mission.
What’s Next for Saudi Tourism?
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that the next edition of the TOURISE Summit will take place in March 2027, promising even more innovation. With continuous upgrades in visa rules, hospitality standards, and digital travel systems, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as one of the world’s most accessible destinations.
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FAQs about Saudi Instant E-Visa System:
1. How fast is the Saudi Instant E-Visa System?
Most eligible travelers will receive their e-visa within minutes after entering their Visa card and passport details.
2. Do Pakistanis qualify for the new Visa by Profile system?
Saudi authorities will release a detailed eligibility list soon. Many Pakistani travelers with strong Visa card profiles are expected to qualify.
3. Do I still need to visit the embassy?
No. The entire process is online, and there is no need for embassy visits or paperwork.
4. Is this visa valid for tourism only?
Yes, the Instant E-Visa is for tourism, leisure trips, and general travel. Other visa types will continue under existing procedures.
5. Can family groups apply using this method?
Each traveler must apply individually, but the process is extremely fast.
Conclusion – Saudi Arabia Launches Instant E-Visa System
The Saudi Arabia Instant E-Visa System marks a major milestone in global tourism. By introducing “Visa by Profile,” the Kingdom has created one of the world’s fastest and most advanced visa systems, helping millions of travelers enjoy quick, easy, and secure access to Saudi Arabia. With this innovative step, the country continues its rise as a global tourism leader and moves closer to achieving its Vision 2030 goal of welcoming 150 million visitors annually.
