Saudi Arabian passport

The Saudi Arabian passport (Arabic: جواز السفر السعودي‎) is a passport document issued to citizens of Saudi Arabia for international travel. It is valid for 5 or 10 lunar years.

Saudi Arabian passport
The front cover of a contemporary Saudi Arabian passport.
TypePassport
Issued by Saudi Arabia
PurposeIdentification
EligibilitySaudi Arabian citizenship
Expiration5 lunar years for people aged under 21 5 or 10 lunar years for people aged 21 or older
Cost300 SAR / $80 USD for 5 lunar years 600 SAR / $160 USD for 10 lunar years

Passport issuance procedures

An applicant is required to fill in an online form for the first time. In the case of passport renewal, an applicant is not required to fill in the form where the passport can be renewed with a few online steps through Absher online platform. An applicant must have a valid Government ID to be able to issue the passport. The passport photo must be taken whilst the applicant is in Saudi dress, unless they are underage and haven't got a Government ID card. The photo must be 4 x 6 in size. The applicant must fill the form in both Arabic and English.[1]

In 2017, a new option of the passport issuance was introduced, the new option offers a validity of ten years.

All procedures are carried out electronically through the platform Absher. This platform enables applicants to apply for a new passport or passport renewal without the requirement of attendance in person.[2]

Translation

The Saudi Arabian passport has the following wording on its cover:

"المملكة العربية السعودية" "Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia"

"عضو جامعة الدول العربية" "Member of the Arab League" (unlike the rest of the passport, isn't translated to English)

"جواز سفر" "Passport"

Data page
  • Image of a passport holder
  • Passport type in English
  • National code: SAU
  • Passport number in Western Arabic numerals
  • Passport holder's name in English
  • Birth date both according to the Islamic calendar and as per the Gregorian calendar
  • Gender: Male or Female
  • Issue date in both Islamic calendar and Western calendar
  • Expiration in both Islamic calendar and Western calendar, it is based on Islamic calendar.
  • Place of issue, issuing authority, and issue date in both Islamic calendar and Western calendar
  • All information is saved in the Ministry of Interior's systems.

Passport note

Arabic: "باسم ملك المملكة العربية السعودية أطلب من موظفي المملكة المدنيين والعسكريين وممثليها في الخارج ومن كل سلطة أخرى تعمل باسمها ومن السلطات المختصة في الدول الصديقة أن يسمحوا لحامل هذا الجواز بحرية المرور وأن يقدموا له المساعدة والرعاية

English: "IN THE NAME OF THE KING, OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, I REQUEST AND REQUIRE ALL THOSE WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, TO ALLOW THE BEARER TO PASS FREELY WITHOUT LET OR HINDRANCE AND TO AFFORD THE BEARER SUCH ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION AS MAY BE NECESSARY"

Visa requirements
Main article: Visa requirements for Saudi citizens

As of August 2018, Saudi citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 75 countries and territories, ranking the Saudi passport 67th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.[3] Saudi citizens do not need a visa to enter other GCC states and reside permanently. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia suspended diplomatic relations with Qatar, which is one of the GCC countries, and as a result, Saudi citizens are prohibited from traveling to the neighboring country.

Countries and territories with visa-free or visa on arrival entry for holders of regular Saudi passports

Prohibited countries
  • Thailand, permitted only for businessmen with an authorisation by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, due to the Blue Diamond Affair
  • Israel (after September 2019) Saudis can return with an Israeli stamp on their passport[4] and Israel stopped using stamps on passports.[5]
  • Iran, following rupture of Saudi-Iranian relations in January 2016[6]
  • Countries that are in state of war such as Syria and Afghanistan
  • Qatar, from 5 June 2017[7]
gollark: Then... adjectives?
gollark: Ah yes, thus adjectives.
gollark: <@!160279332454006795> It should say "you utter [thing]" too.
gollark: <@!160279332454006795> It's spelt equivalent.
gollark: Æ.

See also

References
  1. "إجراءات الحصول على جواز السفر السعودي". gdp.gov.sa (in Arabic). Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  2. "How 'Absher' app liberates Saudis from government bureaucracy". Arab News. 2019-02-17. Retrieved 2019-08-24.
  3. "Henley Passport Index 2008 to 2018". Henley Passport Index. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  4. "It is possible to visit KSA with an Israeli stamp on the passport?".
  5. https://www.touristisrael.com/the-israeli-passport-stamp/9747/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "Saudi Arabia to cut commercial ties, flights to Iran - Foreign Minister".
  7. "Aljazeera News".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.