TravTalk India Online Magazine
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority and Vice Chair of TOURISE, mentioned a bold new initiative that will allow Indian travellers to obtain Saudi tourist visas through their credit cards. Speaking at TOURISE in Riyadh, Hamidaddin revealed that the Kingdom is introducing a simplified, technology-driven visa process in partnership with financial institutions and major payment networks such as Mastercard and Visa.
Under the new system, eligible Indian travellers will be able to apply for a Saudi visa directly using recognised credit cards, removing the need for embassy visits, fingerprinting, or bank statements. “This is one of our boldest steps yet,” Hamidaddin said. “If you have a recognised credit card, you can get a visa by Visa. Our goal is to make access effortless.”
The initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on India as a key tourism source market and reflects its wider vision to make travel more accessible through innovation and technology.
