New digital scheme combines visa, flights, hotel stay and insurance into a single booking
Saudi Arabia has launched a new digital “Package Visa” programme aimed at simplifying travel planning for international visitors, including Indian tourists, by combining visa processing, flights, hotel accommodation and mandatory travel insurance into a single booking.
The initiative is being introduced initially in seven countries—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan and Mexico—with plans to expand to additional markets in the future. The scheme is designed to reduce paperwork and make travel arrangements quicker and more convenient.
Under the programme, travellers can complete the entire booking process through authorised travel and tourism service providers instead of arranging flights, accommodation, insurance and visa applications separately. The tourist eVisa is issued digitally as part of the package, streamlining the overall application process.
-
The bundled packages start at around SAR 4,000 and include return flights, hotel accommodation, visa processing, mandatory health insurance and selected travel experiences
-
Depending on the itinerary, bookings must generally be made at least 48 hours before departure
-
The visa is valid for a single entry and permits travel for tourism purposes
For Indian travellers, the new system could be particularly beneficial for leisure holidays, as it removes the need to coordinate multiple bookings through different providers. However, travellers seeking greater flexibility or customised itineraries may still prefer arranging their travel independently.
The Package Visa forms part of Saudi Arabia’s wider efforts to strengthen its tourism sector under the Vision 2030 programme, which aims to diversify the country’s economy by attracting millions of international visitors and expanding its hospitality industry. The simplified travel process is expected to encourage more tourists from India, one of Saudi Arabia’s key source markets, while supporting the kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global tourism destination.
