Saudia launches visa service

The airline Saudia will in future offer the option of ordering the visa required for entry into Saudi Arabia directly when booking the ticket. An additional service is to be offered to passengers under the marketing name "Your Ticket Your Visa".

In principle, the system, which is offered in cooperation with the tourism authority, the interior and foreign ministries and the pilgrim service program, is also open to other airlines. However, Saudia is the first carrier to take part.

The new service, which covers all of the Kingdom's international airports, allows guests to stay for up to 96 hours to travel around the Kingdom and perform the Umrah. Digital networking with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs makes it easier to issue the transit visa and links it to the flight ticket within three minutes.

“The launch of this innovative and seamless stopover visa, which is the first of its kind in the aviation industry, is an important milestone in our digital transformation program. It demonstrates Saudia's commitment to supporting the Kingdom's strategic goal of reaching 2030 million visits by 100. We are confident that it will have a positive impact on the growing number of transit passengers while strengthening our position as a hub connecting East and West. The new service will also encourage passengers to do the Umrah, visit key destinations and participate in events and Saudi Seasons,” said Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia.