Saudi Arabia has unveiled a pioneering initiative, “Visa by Profile,” allowing eligible Visa cardholders to obtain an electronic tourist visa within minutes, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced on Thursday. The new system, introduced at the TOURISE25 summit, enables travelers to secure an e-visa instantly using only their Visa card and passport details.
Developed collaboratively by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Visa Inc., and the Saudi Tourism Authority, the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to creating seamless, tech-driven travel experiences. Al-Khateeb emphasized the transformative nature of the system, stating, “This is how we build the future of tourism: simple, seamless, and globally connected.”
Saudi Arabia continues to emerge as a global leader in tourism growth. In 2024, the Kingdom ranked first among G20 nations in international tourist arrivals and led global charts in tourism revenue growth.
Having surpassed its target of 100 million visitors six years early in 2023, Saudi Arabia has now set an ambitious goal of attracting 150 million tourists annually by 2030.
During the three-day TOURISE25 Summit in Riyadh, Al-Khateeb also announced three additional initiatives—Agentic Tourism, TOURISE Destination, and Beyond Tourism—aimed at further transforming the sector.
The ministry is forming strategic partnerships with top hospitality institutions to enhance training, skills development, and workforce capacity. Al-Khateeb highlighted the importance of human capital, noting, “Our people are the core of the future of tourism.”
The summit, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focused on innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration in tourism. The next edition of TOURISE is scheduled for March 2027, promising to continue Saudi Arabia’s momentum in redefining the global tourism landscape.
By integrating cutting-edge technology with streamlined processes, the “Visa by Profile” initiative represents a major step forward in making Saudi Arabia more accessible to international travelers while reinforcing its status as a leading global tourism destination.
