Saudi Arabia launches packaged visa scheme for tourists from seven countries

Saudi Arabia has started a pilot “package visa” program that ties the tourist visa to the purchase of a prepaid travel package that includes round‑trip airfare, accommodation in at least four‑star hotels, travel insurance and the visa itself. The scheme is being offered to visitors from Egypt, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Mexico, with plans to add more nations. The visa costs 402 riyals (about 406 zł), and the minimum value of the travel package must be 4 000 riyals for the first two days, with an extra 1 000 riyals per additional day.

The visa, valid for a single entry and a stay of two to 88 days, does not permit an organized Umrah pilgrimage and does not include accommodation in Mecca or Medina, although holders may visit those cities as part of a tour. Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said, “Wiza pakietowa odzwierciedla nasze zaangażowanie w zapewnienie odwiedzającym wygodnego podróżowania do Arabii Saudyjskiej. Integrując proces wydawania wiz z rezerwowaniem samego pobytu, upraszczamy podróże i umożliwiamy bardziej spójne doświadczenia turystom.” The programme aims to raise annual tourist arrivals to 150 million by 2030, up from 123 million in 2025.