Renewed Saudi passports can be activated online without personal attendance
Saudi authorities confirm renewed passports can be activated via Absher without the holder’s presence, and outline steps for reporting loss or damage.
Key Takeaways
AIA query was submitted to the official account of the General Directorate of Passports in Saudi Arabia, asking: "Is it necessary for the passport holder to be present in person to activate a renewed passport?"
The Passports Directorate responded on its X platform page, stating that the electronic authorization service available on the Absher platform can be used for this purpose.
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The General Directorate of Passports also urged citizens to safeguard their passports both inside and outside the Kingdom, protect them from damage, loss, or theft, and avoid neglecting, mortgaging, or misusing them. Passports should be kept in secure locations.
The directorate explained that if a passport is lost, damaged, or stolen within the Kingdom, a report should be filed through the 'Report Saudi Passport Loss' service on the Absher platform.
It added that if a passport is lost outside the Kingdom, the nearest Saudi mission should be notified immediately, and the Passports Directorate should be contacted upon return to the Kingdom to complete the necessary procedures.