RIYADH – In a sweeping reform impacting millions of expatriates and their families, Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has announced an immediate change to its exit visa procedures. The new policy automatically includes all family members and dependents on a single exit visa application, a process previously requiring individual applications and considerable administrative overhead.
The change, which affects an estimated 13 million foreign residents, streamlines the departure process through the Absher electronic platform. Previously, securing exit visas for multiple family members could take weeks. Now, according to reports, the process can be completed in minutes.
“I was worried about the complexities of arranging travel for my family of five,” said Ahmed Al-Masri, an accountant based in Riyadh. “Now, with a single click, everyone will be included.”
The Directorate of Passports stipulated that the exit visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, provided the resident’s identity card (Iqama) remains valid for at least 30 days. The application process, described as simple as ordering food through mobile apps, involves logging into Absher, selecting the service, entering the required data, and confirming the issuance.
The decision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which prioritizes the digitization of government services. Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, a public administration expert, stated that the new procedure is expected to save up to 80% of the time and effort previously required. “This is akin to the revolution in electronic banking – moving from long queues to the convenience of home,” said Mohammed Al-Hindi, a project manager who has observed service development in the Kingdom over the past decade.
Early reports indicate a significant impact. Sari, a Filipina domestic worker, was able to finalize her and her family’s departure procedures within minutes, a stark contrast to the weeks it previously took. The service is also accessible to domestic workers through a dedicated section on the Absher platform.
The shift has noticeably reduced congestion at passport offices, allowing staff to focus on more complex tasks. Experts estimate the new system will save approximately 100,000 hours of operate per month across the Kingdom.
The Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate for Expatriate Affairs can be contacted via email at exp@hq.moi.gov.sa for inquiries related to expatriates and residents, according to information published on the Ministry’s website.
While the change has been widely welcomed, the long-term implications for administrative staffing and potential adjustments to other government services remain to be seen. The Directorate of Passports has not yet announced whether similar streamlining measures will be applied to other services.
