Saudi Arabia has introduced a groundbreaking initiative, “Visa by Profile,” enabling eligible Visa cardholders to obtain an electronic tourist visa within minutes, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced on Thursday.
In a post on X, Al-Khateeb said the new system—unveiled at the TOURISE25 summit—allows travelers to secure an e-visa instantly by using only their Visa card and passport details.
Developed jointly by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Visa Inc., and the Saudi Tourism Authority, the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s push toward seamless, tech-driven travel experiences.
“This is how we build the future of tourism: simple, seamless, and globally connected,” the minister said.
Saudi Arabia continues to lead global tourism growth. The Kingdom ranked first among G20 nations in international tourist arrivals in 2024 and topped global charts in tourism revenue growth. After surpassing its target of 100 million visitors six years early in 2023, Saudi Arabia has now set a new goal of attracting 150 million tourists annually by 2030.
At the close of the three-day summit in Riyadh, Al-Khateeb also announced three additional initiatives—Agentic Tourism, TOURISE Destination, and Beyond Tourism—aimed at transforming the sector.
He said the ministry has formed strategic partnerships with world-leading hospitality institutions to strengthen training, skills development, and workforce capacity.
“Our people are the core of the future of tourism,” he noted.
The TOURISE 2025 Summit, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focused on innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration in tourism. The next edition of TOURISE will take place in March 2027.
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