New AI-Powered Visa Kiosks to Ease Entry at Saudi Airports

(SAUDI ARABIA) Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports, known as Jawazat, said on December 17, 2025 it is upgrading self-service tourist visa kiosks at major international entry points, aiming to give eligible visitors faster clearance and “AI-powered visa issuance on arrival” that prints a visa within minutes. The machines are meant to cut long lines at passport control, reduce mistakes from manual data entry, and tighten identity checks by scanning passports and matching traveler details against required records.

Officials say the move supports the kingdom’s tourism push as it works toward a goal of 100 million visitors by 2030. Jawazat said the upgraded kiosks also process payments on the spot, helping travelers who did not finish an online application before boarding home.

Where the kiosks will be deployed

The roll-out covers the busiest airports used by leisure and religious visitors, with some units also planned for select land border crossings.

• Airports named:
  • King Abdulaziz International Airport — Jeddah
  • King Khalid International Airport — Riyadh
  • Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport — Medina

The kiosks are designed to spread demand away from staffed counters during peak times when several wide-body flights land close together. The system checks document data, takes required details, and issues a visa once payment clears, while keeping a digital record that officers can review if anything flags.

Jawazat called the sites “high-traffic ports of entry” nationwide. Officials have not said how many kiosks will be installed at each site.

How the kiosks fit with existing visa routes

Saudi Arabia already offers several routes for short visits. The new machines sit alongside existing options rather than replacing them.

• Many tourists apply in advance for a 1-year multiple-entry eVisa, allowing stays of up to 90 days per trip via the official portal: https://visa.visitsaudi.com.
• Visa-on-arrival options remain available at airports under existing rules extended to citizens of 60+ countries, according to the source material.
• The source material also states:
  • 66 countries qualify for the eVisa
  • 49 nations can receive a visa on arrival

Jawazat’s kiosk upgrade is aimed chiefly at the last group — people who land first and complete visa steps at the border. For families, this means less time in crowds after a long flight and fewer surprises.

Requirements and payment rules at kiosks

Jawazat says kiosk users still must meet normal entry rules; the machines will not approve someone who cannot show basic proof.

Essential requirements:
– Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond date of entry
– Proof of accommodation
– Return or onward ticket
– Valid health insurance (the source material notes insurance is often included automatically in eVisa fees)

Payment rules:
– Card only: credit or debit cards on Visa or Mastercard accepted
– Not accepted: cash, PayPal, bank transfers

Process overview:
1. Kiosk scans/checks passport data
2. Collects traveler details
3. Takes payment
4. Issues visa instantly if all checks pass

Officers remain nearby for extra screening.

What the “AI” verification means

Saudi officials describe the upgraded machines as using advanced AI to verify documents. Practically, that means software compares the printed passport details with the digital chip and the information a traveler enters.

• Benefits:
  • Can catch simple errors (e.g., swapped numbers, mistyped dates) before a person reaches a counter
  • Creates a clearer audit trail because every step is logged
• Important limits:
  • Entry is never automatic. Even with a kiosk visa, travelers may be asked questions or sent to a counter if a security system flags a concern.
  • The source material reminds travelers that an eVisa “does not guarantee entry” and border officers can refuse admission in practice.

Policy background and eligibility changes

The kiosk upgrade follows a year of shifting short-term visa rules. The source material says earlier 2025 restrictions on visit visas for nationals of certain countries ended by June 30, 2025. Since then:

• Authorities have issued only single-entry visas of up to 90 days for nationals of:
  • Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen
• Decisions remain at authorities’ discretion

This background matters because a faster border process does not change who is eligible — it simply reduces stress for those who do qualify, especially when flights arrive late.

Pilgrimage (Umrah/Hajj) and tourism separation

Saudi Arabia separates tourism entry from pilgrimage travel. The kiosks are not a shortcut for religious permits.

• Umrah and Hajj pilgrims face their own:
  • Health rules (e.g., meningococcal vaccination)
  • Routing and airport requirements (often specific airports such as Jeddah and Medina)
• Airlines typically enforce these rules before boarding and again on arrival
• Rules can change by season and crowd levels

For mixed trips (leisure + worship), this split system can be confusing. Travel agents often advise carrying printed copies of hotel bookings and return tickets. Jawazat says kiosks are intended for eligible visitors using standard tourist channels at entry.

Impact for airlines, tour operators and travelers

Faster visa printing can materially affect the start of a trip:

• Reduces queues after overnight flights, which can otherwise cause:
  • Missed hotel check-ins
  • Late car rentals
  • Crowding in arrival halls

Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests more automated border processing often shifts staff time from routine data entry to higher-value checks, speeding lines without lowering standards. However:

• Experience can vary by airport and hour
• Announcement did not include service-time targets or how many staffed counters will remain open
• Travelers not eligible for visa-on-arrival must still arrange permission before flying; airlines may deny boarding if documents are missing

Practical advice for travelers

Jawazat advised visitors to keep documents ready even when a kiosk is available. In practice, that means:

• Have your passport, a payment card, and accommodation/return details available
• Travelers who applied online can check application status through the Enjazit system using a passport number and application ID
• Official updates on entry services and passport control are posted on the General Directorate of Passports site: https://www.gdp.gov.sa/

The machines are built for speed, but they do not waive screening. Officers may stop cases for questions; missing proof can still trigger manual review and delays.

Wider context and implementation uncertainties

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in tourism and digital tools; the kiosk project builds on those efforts while reinforcing a security-first approach.

• Jawazat said the updated units “verify documents, process payments, and issue visas instantly.”
• Key unknowns the authorities did not provide:
  • Schedule for when each airport will switch to the upgraded model
  • Whether travelers will be directed to kiosks by default
  • Exact number of kiosks per site
  • Service-time guarantees and staffed-counter levels during peaks

For now, officials say visitors should treat the kiosk as another lane, not a guarantee, and be prepared for border questions even with AI-powered visa issuance on arrival.