Saudi Arabian passport

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]

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"

• 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.

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"

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

• 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]

• Visa requirements for Saudi citizens
• Saudi Arabian National ID Card