Saudi Arabia has unveiled a world-first digital travel system that will issue tourist visas in minutes for eligible Visa cardholders, marking one of the most significant shifts in global mobility and travel processing to date.
Saudi Arabia announced the “Visa by Profile” initiative at the inaugural TOURISE conference to streamline international travel, remove friction for high-value visitors and accelerate visa decision-making through deep digital and regulatory integration.
Developed by the Saudi Tourism Authority in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Tourism the system allows qualified travellers to obtain an electronic tourist visa using only their passport details and Visa card information.
Saudi Visa visa
The platform uses travellers’ credit scores to verify financial solvency, addressing the requirements of destination countries while simplifying approvals for millions of potential visitors.
Set to launch in 2026, with expansion as more banks and card issuers join, the Visa by Profile model fully automates visa issuance through coordinated connectivity between government entities, airports, credit bureaus and financial institutions.
Minister of Tourism and TOURISE Summit chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb said: “Visa by Profile is about access — access to opportunity, mobility, and connection.
“By bringing together financial institutions and tourism authorities, we are building a smarter framework for global travel that streamlines processes and expands access at scale.
“This marks a wider transformation in how nations facilitate movement — with faster decisions, more efficient systems, and a seamless experience for travellers worldwide.”
Pioneering initiative
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji said: “This pioneering initiative has been launched to facilitate the entry of eligible Visa credit-card holders to the Kingdom through the integrated platform, in coordination with the participating banks with Visa.
“Eligible visitors will be able to obtain an instant electronic tourist visa with ease and convenience.
“This globally unprecedented step is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism openness, ease mobility and entry for visitors, and simplify procedures — strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourism destination and enriching visitors’ experiences as they explore the Kingdom’s rich cultural and tourism offerings.”
Rajiv Garodia, Visa’s global head of government solutions, said: “Our collaboration with TOURISE and Saudi government bodies on the Visa by Profile initiative builds on the Kingdom’s existing visa framework, making the process faster, more secure, and more user-friendly.
“By enabling secure, seamless visa approvals, we’re removing friction and creating a seamless digital pathway that benefits travellers, governments, and partners alike.”
Saudi tourism push
The initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to modernise its travel infrastructure and position itself as one of the world’s most accessible tourism markets.
By linking financial verification with travel authorisation, Visa by Profile aims to set a new global benchmark for digital-first border management, using integrated data systems to reduce delays and streamline the experience for both travellers and authorities.
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