In its ongoing commitment to facilitating procedures for citizens and ensuring their safety while traveling, the Saudi General Directorate of Passports a set of important guidelines and instructions for citizens wishing to travel outside the Kingdom. These directives come in response to the increasing volume of travel, and the Directorate urges everyone to adhere to regulations and instructions to guarantee a safe and hassle-free journey.
Passport validity conditions and remaining validity period
The Saudi General Directorate of Passports emphasized a crucial point regarding passport validity before departure, explaining that international regulations require a minimum validity period for entry. It stressed that passports must be valid for at least three months when traveling to Arab countries, and for at least six months when traveling to the rest of the world. This reminder aims to prevent citizens from being denied entry at airports in host countries or being turned back at border crossings.
Preserving official documents
In a related context, the Directorate emphasized the importance of safeguarding passports, both within the Kingdom and abroad, warning against neglecting them, pawning them to any party, or misusing them. A passport is an official document that symbolizes the identity of both the citizen and the state, and losing it abroad could expose the holder to legal repercussions and lengthy procedures through the Kingdom's embassies and consulates to obtain replacement documents, potentially jeopardizing the purpose of travel, whether for tourism or work.
Digital identity and travel procedures
Regarding the Kingdom's digital transformation, the General Directorate of Passports clarified a frequently asked point, emphasizing that the digital national ID obtained through the "Absher" and "Tawakkalna" applications, as well as the "Family Registry," are local identification documents and do not authorize their holders to travel outside the Kingdom. Despite the tremendous technological advancements Saudi Arabia has made in digitizing documents as part of Vision 2030, international ports of entry still require physical documents (passports or plastic national ID cards for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries) in accordance with applicable international protocols.
Activating the passport after electronic renewal
The General Directorate of Passports concluded its announcements by clarifying the mechanism for activating electronically renewed passports. It noted that all citizens are required to activate their passports after completing the renewal process through the "Absher" platform. This can be done by visiting passport offices or their branches located throughout the country, or through designated offices at international ports of entry before departure. The Directorate emphasized that this step does not require a prior appointment, making it easier for citizens and ensuring the swift completion of procedures, reflecting the sector's commitment to providing flexible and efficient services.
