Saudi Arabia has launched “Visa by Profile“, a system that grants tourist visas to eligible Visa cardholders in minutes, not days or weeks.
It’s the first system anywhere that uses your credit card data to approve a tourist visa instantly. No paperwork. No embassy visits. No waiting.
How Saudi Arabia’s Instant Visa System Actually Works
The new system connects your Visa card information directly with Saudi government databases. When you apply, the system checks your credit score and financial history through your card issuer. If you pass their criteria, you get an electronic tourist visa within minutes.
The Saudi Tourism Authority built this with three government ministries: Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Tourism. They also partnered with Visa Inc. to create what officials call “the most advanced visa processing system in the world.”
Here’s what makes it different: Traditional visa applications require bank statements, hotel bookings, and return tickets. The new system skips all that. Your credit card profile tells them everything they need to know about your financial stability.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb explained the logic: “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.”
Launch Timeline and Eligibility Requirements
The system goes live in 2026. Saudi officials plan to expand it as more banks and card issuers join the network.
You’ll need a Visa-branded credit or debit card to qualify. The system will check your credit score and financial history through your card issuer. Officials haven’t released specific credit score requirements yet.
The tourist visa allows stays up to 90 days and costs the same as current e-visas, about $80. The difference is, you’ll get approval in minutes instead of 24-72 hours.
Digital Infrastructure Behind the Innovation
The system connects government databases with credit bureaus and financial institutions in real-time. When you submit your passport details and Visa card information, algorithms instantly assess your financial profile.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji called it “globally unprecedented.” The system eliminates human review for qualified applicants and automates the entire approval process.
Rajiv Garodia, Visa’s global head of government solutions, said the partnership “makes the process faster, more secure, and more user-friendly” by using existing financial verification systems.
Economic Projections for the Saudi Tourism Sector
Tourism contributed $53.87 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy in 2024. Analysts project this will double to $100.23 billion by 2030 if current growth continues.
The kingdom intends to create 1.6 million tourism jobs by 2030. Current employment in the sector already exceeds one million workers.
Major tourism projects include NEOM, a $500 billion smart city, and Al-Ula, an archaeological site being developed as a luxury destination. The Red Sea Project targets high-end eco-tourism with 50 resorts planned.
