Software and IT services firms
Companies selling development, outsourcing and managed services to Saudi clients.
Trade fair guide · Riyadh
LEAP 2027: a guide for Pakistani technology companies
LEAP is Saudi Arabia’s largest technology event and a key week for Pakistani software, IT services and start-up firms selling into the kingdom. It is held north of Riyadh, and the visa, the hotel and the daily transfer all need planning.
Key facts
LEAP at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Dates | 12–15 April 2027 |
| Venue | Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center (RECC), Malham, north of Riyadh |
| Format | Exhibition and conference over four days, with start-up and investor programmes |
| Visa | Saudi business visit visa through a Saudi host, or the route the organiser supports for registered exhibitors and visitors |
| Airport | King Khalid International Airport (RUH) |
| Weekend | Friday and Saturday in Saudi Arabia; 12 April 2027 is a Monday |
| Season | After Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2027, which are expected in February and March |
Check before travel: visa rules, fees, processing times and event dates change without notice. This page was checked on 11 November 2026 against the LEAP organisers (onegiantleap.com), the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Ministry of Health. Confirm on the official source, or ask us to check for your trip, before you book anything non-refundable.
Who goes
Who from Pakistan attends LEAP
Start-ups and founders
Founders meeting investors, accelerators and partners.
Telecom and infrastructure
Network, cloud and data-centre suppliers.
Visa
Get the visa sorted first
For a delegation, the visa sets the timetable. If you have Saudi clients or partners, ask them to request business visit visas for your team. If you are exhibiting, check the organiser’s visa guidance for exhibitors. Allow two to four weeks and do not book non-refundable flights until visas are issued.
Travellers from Pakistan should carry a polio vaccination certificate. If any team member plans Umrah on the same trip, April 2027 is close to the expected start of the pre-Hajj restrictions on Makkah, so check the announced dates.
Hotels and transfers
Where to stay during LEAP week
Malham is well north of central Riyadh. Hotels in the northern districts and near the airport reduce the daily drive, but they fill early. Many delegations stay in Olaya or near KAFD and use organiser shuttles or a hired car. Plan for heavy traffic at opening and closing times.
We book rooms for the team as soon as names are confirmed, and plan a driver or shuttle schedule so the team arrives before the halls open and leaves after evening meetings.
- Book rooms early: rates across Riyadh rise for LEAP week
- Plan the commute to Malham, not just the hotel
- Keep a spare day for follow-up meetings in the city
Getting value
Turning LEAP into meetings
LEAP works best when meetings are booked before the show. Use the event app and your own network to fix meetings, and keep the day after the show for client visits in KAFD and Olaya. Bring printed profiles in English, and Arabic where your clients prefer it.
Timeline
A planning timeline for LEAP
8–12 weeks before
Confirm the team, start visa requests with your Saudi host or the organiser.
6–8 weeks
Book hotels and the transfer plan.
4 weeks
Visas issued; book flights.
1 week
Meeting schedule, printed material, polio certificates checked.
Show week
Arrive the day before; keep a follow-up day.
FAQ
LEAP questions
When is LEAP 2027?
12–15 April 2027, at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham.
Which visa do I need for LEAP?
A Saudi business visit visa through a Saudi host, or the visa route the organiser supports for registered participants. Check the organiser’s current guidance.
Where should our team stay?
Northern Riyadh or near the airport shortens the commute to Malham; Olaya and KAFD suit teams with client meetings in the city.
Can we add Umrah to a LEAP trip?
Possibly, but April 2027 is close to the expected pre-Hajj closure of Makkah to visit-visa holders. Check the announced dates first.
Plan with Go Global
Planning a LEAP delegation?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips since 2020, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.