The Saudi Arabian General Directorate of Passports (GDP) has announced a groundbreaking mandate requiring all expatriates in the Kingdom to register the fingerprints of their family members aged six or above, effective immediately.

The new regulation, implemented with immediate effect, is aimed at enhancing security protocols for individuals living, working, or visiting Saudi Arabia.

The General Directorate of Passports emphasizes that the compliance with this rule is crucial for a smooth interaction with authorities and seamless navigation of essential procedures.

Registering fingerprints for dependents is now deemed essential for accessing various government services and obtaining official documents.

The GDP asserts that adherence to this regulation is key to ensuring the expatriate community's seamless interaction with authorities, emphasizing the importance of compliance in their day-to-day affairs.

Innovative Visa Options for Foreign Residents

In response to the evolving needs of foreign residents, Saudi authorities have introduced innovative visa options for expatriates, providing increased flexibility and convenience.

Exit/re-entry visas now grant foreign residents the flexibility to return to the Kingdom until the expiration of their valid visas, facilitating greater ease of movement.

Remote visa extensions for exit/Re-entry visa holders

To further simplify procedures, the GDP has unveiled a convenient option for electronic visa extensions for exit/re-entry visa holders while they are outside Saudi Arabia.

Expatriates can now extend their visas through the Absher platform or Muqeem portal, including the ability to make online payments for associated fees, offering a seamless and efficient process for visa extensions.

Visa validity requirements for smooth processing

Foreign nationals are advised to ensure that their passports have a minimum of 90 days of validity for exit/re-entry applications and 60 days for final exit visas.

This advisory is essential for the efficient processing of exit/re-entry and final exit visas, underscoring the importance of maintaining updated travel documents.

Vibrant expat community in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, home to a vibrant and diverse expatriate community, relies significantly on the contributions of foreign workers to its economic and social landscape. Recent data from the Saudi General Authority for Statistics reveals that foreigners make up approximately 41.5% of the total population of 32.2 million.

Asian nationals dominate the expatriate population, with Bangladeshi citizens leading at 2.1 million, followed by Indians (1.88 million) and Pakistanis (1.81 million). Other prominent expat communities include Yemenis, Egyptians, Sudanese, Filipinos, and Syrians.