What is the Package E-Visa?
The Saudi Package E-Visa is a new, streamlined route for tourists from specific countries, including India, to obtain an electronic tourist visa. Unlike a standard visa application where you apply independently, this visa is directly tied to a travel
package. The initiative requires travellers to book their flights, accommodation, and visa through a single, integrated process with an approved travel provider. The main goal is to reduce paperwork, simplify planning, and make the entire travel experience smoother for visitors. This is particularly significant because India is not currently on the list of countries eligible for Saudi Arabia's standard, independent e-visa, making this package a key entry pathway for many.
Eligibility for Indian Travellers
The Package E-Visa is currently available to ordinary passport holders from seven designated countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, and Mexico. This route is designed for those who do not hold other qualifying visas (like a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa) that would make them eligible for visa-on-arrival. Applicants under 18 must have their application linked to an adult travelling in the same booking. It's important to note that this is a tourist visa; it allows for leisure travel, attending events, and visiting family, but does not permit work. While the visa allows travel throughout the kingdom, the initial packages may not include specific arrangements for Umrah in Makkah and Madinah, though visitors can travel to these cities after arrival.
The Step-by-Step Booking Process
Applying for the Package E-Visa is a fully digital process integrated with booking your trip. Travellers must use one of the approved online travel partners, which currently include platforms like Almosafer, Webook, and Reserval. The process generally follows these steps: First, you choose a pre-made travel package or build your own by selecting flights and hotels. The package must include a round-trip flight and accommodation in a licensed hotel rated four stars or higher. Next, you upload a copy of your passport and a personal photograph. After providing the necessary details, you complete the payment for the entire package. Your information then undergoes an automated verification, and upon approval, the electronic tourist visa is issued and sent to you, often within 48 hours.
Required Documents and Costs
While the process is simplified, you will still need key documents. The primary requirements are a passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry and a recent passport-style photograph. Since the visa is tied to your booking, you will also need confirmed return flights and hotel reservations for your entire stay, which are handled through the package provider. Mandatory travel health insurance is also included as part of the visa and package fee. The visa and insurance fee is approximately SAR 402.2 (around ₹9,000), but this does not include the cost of flights and accommodation. Some providers may have minimum spend requirements for the total package.
Key Benefits and What to Know
The most significant benefit of the Package E-Visa is accessibility. It provides a straightforward electronic visa route for Indian citizens who might not otherwise qualify for an e-visa or visa on arrival. The process is designed to be fast and efficient, with visas often issued in under 48 hours without needing to visit an embassy. This single-entry visa is typically valid for three months, allowing for a stay of up to 88 days. A crucial point to remember is that the visa is tied directly to your travel booking; if you cancel your trip package, the associated visa will also be automatically revoked.
