Saudi Arabia Passport Office Introduces More e-Services for Expats and Visitors

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has introduced new e-services for expats and visitors as part of the country’s digital transformation efforts. Accessible through the Interior Ministry’s Absher and Muqeem portals, the updated services encompass reporting the loss or theft of passports or residency permits, managing visitor’s digital documents, amending translated names, accessing visa information, and receiving employer notices. Lt. Gen. Suleiman Al Yehia, Chief of the Saudi General Directorate of Passports, highlighted that these services aim to save time, streamline processes, and enhance services for beneficiaries.

Saudi Arabia, with a population of approximately 32.2 million, hosts a significant community of foreign workers, constituting around 41.5% of the kingdom’s total population, according to a recent census.

In a bid to facilitate expatriates, authorities have introduced new facilities. Foreign residents with exit/re-entry visas can now return to Saudi Arabia until the last day of their valid visas. Moreover, the General Directorate of Passports announced that exit/re-entry visa holders can electronically extend their visas while outside Saudi Arabia, following the payment of relevant fees via Absher or Muqeem.

These initiatives are in line with Saudi Arabia’s digitalization efforts, which have been further galvanized by the restrictions imposed on movement due to COVID-19. The Absher app, introduced by the Saudi Interior Ministry in 2013, is a broad platform that allows both Saudis and foreign residents to avail of several government services. As the years went by, services offered in the app has grown to cover job applications, passport renewals and management of residency card as well as driving license renewal which is a clear indication that this kingdom desires administrative processes be modernized.