What is the New Package Visa?
Saudi Arabia has introduced a pilot program for a new “Package Visa,” and India is one of the first seven countries eligible for this service. The initiative fundamentally changes how a tourist visa is obtained. Instead of applying for a visa through
an embassy or a separate online portal, the visa application is now integrated directly into the process of booking a holiday package. When you book a pre-approved travel package that includes flights and accommodation, the visa is processed as part of that single transaction. This digital-first approach is designed to eliminate the traditional administrative hurdles, making the journey from planning to departure smoother for tourists. The e-visa is delivered electronically, often within 48 hours of completing the booking, removing the need for physical paperwork or consulate visits.
How It Works for Indian Travellers
For Indian passport holders, the process is designed for simplicity. The first step is to select a travel package from a list of authorized tourism companies and platforms that have been approved by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism; initial partners include providers like Almosafer and Reserval. These packages are required to bundle round-trip flights and stays in licensed hotels. Once a traveller chooses a package and completes the payment digitally, the system automatically processes the visa application. After verification, the electronic tourist visa and mandatory travel insurance documents are sent directly to the traveller's email. This all-in-one model means you can secure your flights, hotel, and entry permit in one go, a significant shift from the conventional multi-step procedure that many international travellers are accustomed to.
Key Requirements and Costs
While the process is simplified, there are specific conditions attached to the Package Visa during its pilot phase. The package must include a minimum stay of two days, and accommodation must be at a hotel rated four stars or above. There is also a minimum price threshold for the package, which is set at 4,000 Saudi riyals (approximately ₹88,000) per adult for the first two days. Each additional day adds a minimum of 1,000 riyals to the package value. The visa itself is a single-entry tourist visa valid for three months, which permits a stay of up to 88 days in the Kingdom. While the package cost covers the core components, optional extras like tours, event tickets, and local experiences can be added. This structure is primarily aimed at travellers booking a complete, quality-assured holiday rather than those seeking standalone visa services.
A Game Changer for Short-Haul Trips
The introduction of the Package Visa is particularly relevant for the Indian market, where Saudi Arabia is just a short-haul flight away. The simplified, predictable, and quick booking process makes the idea of a spontaneous long weekend or a short holiday in the Kingdom far more attractive. Traditionally, even a four-day international trip requires significant advance planning centered around visa processing times. By bundling the visa with the travel package and guaranteeing a quick turnaround, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an accessible destination for impulse travel, much like other nearby hubs in the Middle East. This could appeal to a wide range of Indian travellers, from families looking for a quick getaway to young professionals exploring new cultures, who might have previously been deterred by the perceived complexity of visa applications.
Saudi Arabia's Bigger Tourism Ambition
This new visa is not an isolated policy but a key component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a massive national strategy to diversify its economy away from oil, with tourism at its core. The Kingdom has set an ambitious goal of attracting 7.5 million Indian tourists annually by 2030, which would make India its largest tourism source market. In 2024 alone, 3.4 million Indians travelled to Saudi Arabia, making it the second most popular destination for outbound Indian travel. To cater to this growing interest, the country is heavily investing in new attractions beyond its well-known religious sites. These include the ancient desert city of AlUla, the futuristic city of NEOM, major entertainment and sporting events like the Formula 1 races, and luxury destinations like VIA Riyadh, all designed to showcase a modern and rapidly changing nation.
