TOURISE Unveils Visa By Profile Initiative To Streamline Travel For Eligible Visa Cardholders

TOURISE has introduced a novel initiative called "Visa by Profile" during its first conference. This initiative aims to simplify the global travel process by offering expedited visa processing for eligible Visa cardholders visiting Saudi Arabia. Travelers can quickly obtain electronic tourist visas using their passport and Visa card details. This development is a collaboration between the Saudi Tourism Authority, various ministries, Visa, and participating banks.

The initiative leverages travelers' credit scores to ensure financial stability, addressing both country needs and facilitating approvals for many new travelers. It will be available to interested banks and is set to launch in 2026, with plans for expansion as more banks join. The goal is to remove travel barriers, attract high-value tourists, and speed up visa decisions through digital integration and regulatory cooperation.

"Visa by Profile" aims to automate the visa issuance process entirely. It achieves this through seamless integration among government entities, airports, and digital systems operated by credit bureaus and banks. According to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, this initiative represents access to opportunity, mobility, and connection. By uniting financial institutions and tourism authorities, it creates a smarter framework for global travel.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji highlighted that this pioneering step facilitates entry for eligible Visa credit-card holders into the Kingdom via an integrated platform. Participating banks with Visa will enable visitors to obtain an instant electronic tourist visa conveniently. This unprecedented move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote tourism openness and ease visitor mobility.

The initiative strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourism destination while enriching visitors’ experiences as they explore the Kingdom's cultural offerings. Rajiv Garodia from Visa emphasized that their collaboration with TOURISE and Saudi government bodies enhances the existing visa framework. It makes the process faster, more secure, and user-friendly.

By enabling secure visa approvals, "Visa by Profile" removes friction in the process and creates a seamless digital pathway benefiting travelers, governments, and partners alike. The initiative marks a significant transformation in how nations facilitate movement with faster decisions and efficient systems.

This innovative approach embodies TOURISE's role as a platform that fosters collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of global travel. As more banks participate in this partnership, it promises continued expansion and improvement in the travel experience worldwide.

With inputs from SPA