Fingerprint, national ID must for issuance, renewal of passports

RIYADH: Fingerprint registration and national identity card are a must for citizens aged 15 years and above for renewal or issuance of passports, the General Directorate of Passports has said.
“The citizens should make use of the Absher electronic service for issuance and renewal of passports,” Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Saad, director of Media and Public Relations at the General Directorate of Passports, was quoted as saying by local media on Friday.
He reiterated that all the beneficiaries of Absher service should make sure the national address is correct to guarantee the arrival of his documents via Wasel.
Al-Saad renewed his call to Saudis to check the validity date of the passport, which should not be less than three months if they wish to travel to Arab countries, and six months for other countries. He encouraged citizens to acquire passports for all their dependents because minors will not be able to travel without it.
Al-Saad said that a national ID or Saudi passport for dependents less than 15 years old is necessary for those wishing to travel to GCC countries. He highlighted the importance of preventing the passport from damage, tampering or loss. Pawning a passport exposes its holder to punishment that includes fines and travel ban, he added. “If a citizen loses his or her a passport outside the Kingdom, the nearest representative of the Kingdom should be notified followed by a police report,” he added.