The all-new Saudi Visa by Profile will give certain cardholders instant visas
The announcement was made at TOURISE
Sometimes, you read a headline so insane, you think it couldn’t possibly be true, but this one is. In a landmark move to streamline the global travel ecosystem, TOURISE announced during its inaugural conference a groundbreaking initiative titled ‘Visa by Profile’—the first of its kind worldwide. You can now instantly get Saudi visas through your visa card (a bit confusing, but stay with us).
The Saudi Visa by Profile initiative allows eligible Visa cardholders interested in visiting Saudi Arabia to receive expedited visa processing.
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Travellers who qualify can obtain their electronic tourist visas within minutes using only their passport details and Visa card information, according to the Saudi Press Authority.
The Visa by Profile system has been 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.
With this, the aim is to remove barriers to travel, attract high-value tourists, and accelerate visa decision-making through digital integration and regulatory cooperation.
The system relies on travellers’ credit scores to ensure financial solvency, addressing the needs of countries while streamlining approvals for millions of new travellers.
Set to launch in 2026 for banks wishing to participate, with an ongoing 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.
This bold new step is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism openness, ease mobility and entry for visitors, and simplify procedures.
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