New Saudi Arabia e-services for citizens, expats

Cairo: Saudi Arabia has launched a set of new digital services on a government platform for its citizens and expatriates to enhance the efficiency of its services to the public.

The new services available on the Interior Ministry’s Absher app include uploading photos of dependents to issue or renew a passport, updating passport data for foreign residents, and viewing the digital identity, which allows expatriates to display their digital identity, view its data, and present it when requested by competent authorities in the kingdom.

Other services pertain to Saudis’ national ID card, and updating the educational qualifications registered in the Ministry of Education systems.

Accordingly, the ID card can be renewed, and replaced in case of loss or damage, with the possibility to take a personal photo via the app, while the educational qualification update service allows beneficiaries to register the document on Absher.

The Interior Ministry’s Directorate of Civil Affairs explained that beneficiaries can view the procedures and requirements of the new services by logging into their accounts on the Absher platform and app on smartphones.

The latest services were launched by chief of the Saudi Directorate of Passports Maj. Gen. Saleh Al Murabba.

He said the directorate continues to provide digital services via Absher to save time and effort, streamline procedures, and improve the quality of its services.

In 2013, the Saudi Interior Ministry launched the Absher app, which gives citizens and foreign residents access to a variety of government services.

The scope of the services has since largely expanded, including applying for jobs and renewing passports, residency cards and driving licences. The digital transition in the kingdom has picked up pace since the global pandemic.