What Exactly Is the Package Visa?
The Package Visa is an integrated digital service that combines a tourist visa with flights and accommodation into a single transaction. Instead of applying for a visa on one website, booking flights on another, and reserving hotels on a third, travellers
can now do it all at once through an approved travel provider. This initiative is designed to streamline the entire travel planning process, making a trip to the Kingdom more accessible and less about paperwork. The pilot program is currently available to travellers from a handful of countries, including India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Indonesia.
The Old Way vs. The New System
Traditionally, planning an international trip involved a sequence of separate, often stressful, steps. A traveller would first face the uncertainty of a visa application, which could take time and require a visit to an embassy. Only after securing the visa would most feel comfortable booking non-refundable flights and hotels. The new Package Visa flips this model on its head. By bundling the visa with travel arrangements, it provides a seamless, one-stop-shop experience. The electronic visa is issued within 48 hours of purchasing a qualifying package, removing the long wait and uncertainty.
How the One-Stop Process Works
The process is designed for simplicity. First, travellers choose a pre-approved travel package from an authorised agency like Reserval or Almosafer. These packages must include a round-trip flight and accommodation at a licensed hotel rated four stars or higher. Once the package is selected, payment is made digitally. After payment, the traveller receives their electronic tourist visa, travel insurance, and all other necessary documents via email, typically within two days. This completely digital process eliminates the need for separate applications and embassy visits.
Simplified Trip Budgeting
One of the standout features of the Package Visa is how it simplifies financial planning. By bundling the major costs—flights, hotels, and visa processing—into a single price, travellers get a clear, upfront cost for their trip. To ensure a quality standard, there are minimum price requirements. The package must have a value of at least SR4,000 (approximately ₹88,000) per adult for the first two days, with an additional SR1,000 for each extra day. This structure allows travellers to budget effectively and avoid the surprise costs that can often accompany international travel.
What Can You Do With This Visa?
The Package Visa is a single-entry tourist visa, valid for three months, that allows for a stay of up to 88 days. While it's aimed at boosting tourism as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, it offers flexibility. Holders of this visa are free to travel anywhere within the Kingdom after arrival. Importantly, while the package itself doesn't include Umrah services, visa holders are permitted to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and perform Umrah on their own. This makes it a viable option for both leisure tourists and pilgrims looking for a streamlined travel process outside of the official Hajj season.
