TOURISE announced during its inaugural conference an initiative titled “Visa by Profile” — the first of its kind. The initiative enables eligible Visa cardholders interested in visiting Saudi Arabia to receive expedited visa processing.
Qualified travellers can obtain their electronic tourist visas within minutes using only their passport details and Visa card information, reported SPA.
Developed by the Saudi Tourism Authority in partnership with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Tourism — in
collaboration with Visa, and participating banks — the initiative seeks to
remove barriers to travel, attract high-value tourists, and accelerate visa
decision-making through digital integration and regulatory cooperation. It uses
travellers' credit scores to ensure financial solvency, addressing the needs of
countries while streamlining approvals for millions of new travellers.
The initiative will be available to banks wishing to participate and is set to
launch in 2026, with continued expansion as more banks and credit-card issuers
join the partnership.
The Visa by Profile initiative is designed to fully automate the visa issuance
process through seamless integration among government entities, airports, and
digital systems operated by institutions such as credit bureaus and banks.
“Visa by Profile is about access — access to opportunity, mobility, and connection,” said Minister of Tourism and TOURISE Summit chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb. “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. TOURISE embodies this shift, serving as a platform where collaboration drives innovation and the future of travel takes shape.”
“TOURISE embodies this transformation as a platform that strengthens
collaboration, drives innovation, and shapes the future of global travel,” the
tourism minister said.
According to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji, “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.”
Visa global head of government solutions Rajiv Garodia 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 travelers, governments, and partners alike."