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The General Directorate of Passports detailed the scope of the 23 services in its announcement. Services now accessible through electronic authorization include issuing or cancelling travel permits for dependents, reporting lost or damaged passports, and issuing or renewing iqama for expatriates. The list further encompasses receiving printed copies of iqama, issuing or cancelling various visas such as exit, re-entry and final exit, and reporting lost iqamas or passports.
According to the directorate, additional services cover reporting absconding cases, adding or removing dependents, transferring dependent status, changing professions, and transferring services or information. The feature also allows for extending visit visas, issuing and renewing passports, receiving passports, registering a left and not returned status, authorizing resident services, and checking previous passports. Both the authorizer and beneficiary must hold a valid national ID or iqama and have no outstanding violations or financial restrictions to use the electronic authorization.
The directorate’s announcement emphasized that the electronic authorization process is integrated into the Absher platform for ease of use. Users are able to manage authorizations directly without additional steps at passport offices. This development builds on previous expansions of digital services by the General Directorate of Passports.
Absher platform data from its official site places the number of digital identities at more than 25 million with access to approximately 350 electronic services. In one recent month, the system processed more than 24 million digital transactions for citizens, residents and visitors, according to Ministry of Interior figures. The platform has seen cumulative electronic transactions exceed 430 million in past reporting periods.
The General Directorate of Passports has introduced multiple new e-services on Absher in recent years. A launch in the days prior to the authorization expansion involved collaboration with the Saudi Data and AI Authority to add services like renewing residency permits for mothers of Saudi citizens and canceling expired exit and re-entry visas. These initiatives have progressively reduced the need for in-person visits to government offices.
Electronic authorization enables sponsors to delegate specific tasks securely. The General Directorate of Passports noted that users can view or cancel any authorizations issued through the Absher Individuals services section. The capability applies across passport, immigration and residency transactions for both citizens and expatriates.
