A New Gateway: The ‘Package Visa’
Saudi Arabia has launched an innovative ‘Package Visa’ service, specifically designed to open its doors to tourists from a select group of countries, including India. This is a major development, as India was not previously on the list of nations eligible
for the standard online tourist e-visa. The new system bypasses the traditional embassy process for tourism by bundling the visa application with the travel booking itself. Instead of securing a visa first and then planning a trip, travellers now do it all in one go through approved platforms. The initiative combines a confirmed flight, hotel accommodation, and an electronic tourist visa into a single, seamless transaction.
How the Process Works
The application process is designed for digital convenience and simplicity. Aspiring travellers from India can begin by visiting one of the officially approved travel service providers, which currently include ‘Almosafer’, ‘Reserval’, and ‘Webook’. The steps are straightforward: first, you select a pre-designed travel package or customise your own itinerary, including flights and hotels. After choosing your package, you upload required documents, typically a copy of your passport and a personal photograph. The system then prompts for online payment to complete the booking. Once payment is made, your information undergoes an automated verification. If everything is in order, the electronic tourist visa is issued and sent directly to your email, along with your travel documents.
Eligibility and Key Conditions
While this new route simplifies access, it comes with specific conditions. The Package Visa is exclusively for citizens of seven countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, and Mexico. The travel package itself must meet certain criteria. The accommodation included must be at a hotel with a rating of four stars or higher. Furthermore, the duration of the trip must be between two and 88 days. There is also a minimum spending threshold to qualify. Reports indicate the package value must be at least SAR 4,000 (approximately ₹89,000) per adult for the first two days of the trip, with an additional minimum spend for each subsequent day. The visa fee itself, which includes mandatory health insurance, is processed as part of this total cost.
Beyond Pilgrimage: A Push for Tourism
This visa liberalisation is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, an ambitious national strategy to diversify its economy and develop its tourism sector. The Kingdom is actively working to attract leisure travellers beyond those visiting for religious pilgrimages like Hajj and Umrah. While the tourist e-visa can also be used to perform Umrah, the broader goal is to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage and modern attractions. Saudi authorities are promoting destinations like the ancient Nabatean city of AlUla, the futuristic city of NEOM, and luxury resorts along the Red Sea coast, aiming to establish the nation as a global tourism hub.
India as a Top Priority Market
The inclusion of India in this pilot program underscores the country's importance to Saudi Arabia's tourism goals. The Saudi Tourism Authority has set an ambitious target of attracting 7.5 million Indian visitors annually by 2030, which would make India one of its largest inbound markets. This figure represents a massive increase from the 1.5 million Indian visitors recorded in 2023. To support this growth, connectivity between the two nations is also being enhanced, with direct carriers increasing flight frequencies. The Package Visa is a clear strategic move to remove barriers and make it easier for millions of potential Indian tourists to explore the Kingdom.
