How to Get a Passport in Saudi Arabia? A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting a Saudi passport is an important step for Saudi citizens who plan to travel internationally. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made passport services more convenient by allowing eligible citizens to apply electronically through the Absher platform.
The Saudi National Platform states that eligible citizens can issue a Saudi passport online without visiting a passport office, provided they complete the required procedures through Absher.
So, how do you get a passport in Saudi Arabia? The process generally involves checking eligibility, accessing Absher, selecting the passport issuance service, choosing the validity period, confirming personal information, selecting delivery options, providing the national address, and completing payment.
This guide explains how to get a passport in Saudi Arabia, including eligibility, requirements, Absher application steps, passport fees, delivery, children’s passports, renewal, lost passports, and special situations.
Who Can Apply for a Saudi Passport?
A Saudi passport is issued to Saudi citizens who meet the applicable government requirements.
Eligible Saudi citizens can generally use Absher to complete the standard electronic passport issuance process without visiting a passport office.
It is important to distinguish between a Saudi passport and a residence permit. Foreign residents and expatriates living in Saudi Arabia do not receive Saudi passports simply because they have a Saudi residence permit. They normally travel using a passport issued by their own country.
Therefore, this guide is primarily for Saudi citizens who want to obtain or issue a Saudi passport.
What Is Absher?
Absher is the Saudi government’s digital platform that provides access to numerous government services, including passport services.
For passport issuance, the official instructions direct citizens to use the relevant passport service through Absher.
The general route is:
My Services → Passports → Issue Saudi Passport → Passport Issuance Request
Before starting, make sure your Absher account is active and that your personal information and national address are accurate.
What Are the Requirements for a Saudi Passport?
The exact requirements can vary depending on the applicant’s age and circumstances.
For standard electronic issuance, applicable requirements may include:
- Being a Saudi citizen.
- Having the required personal information registered in government systems.
- Having a registered fingerprint and photograph where applicable.
- Being inside Saudi Arabia for the relevant electronic issuance service.
- Paying the applicable passport fee.
- Having a registered national address for delivery.
- Meeting any additional government requirements that apply to the applicant.
Children, renewals, lost passports, damaged passports, and Saudi citizens living abroad may have different requirements.
Applicants should check the current official Absher requirements before submitting an application.
How to Get a Passport in Saudi Arabia Through Absher
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
First, confirm that you are eligible for the Saudi passport issuance service.
The electronic passport service is intended for Saudi citizens who meet the applicable requirements.
For electronic issuance, Absher guidance includes conditions such as being inside Saudi Arabia and having the required personal information, fingerprint, and photograph registered where applicable.
If you are applying for a child or another family member, additional conditions may apply.
Step 2: Make Sure You Have an Active Absher Account
An active Absher account is required for the standard online passport issuance process.
Log in using your registered credentials and check that your personal information is correct.
If your Absher account is not activated, complete the applicable registration and activation process before attempting to use the passport service.
Step 3: Check Your National Address
Your national address is important because the passport can be delivered to the registered address.
Before submitting your application, verify that your national address is accurate and up to date.
An incorrect address could create problems with passport delivery, so checking this information in advance can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Step 4: Pay the Saudi Passport Issuance Fee
The passport issuance fee depends on the validity period selected.
The official Absher passport guide lists:
| Passport Validity | Listed Issuance Fee |
|---|---|
| 5 years | SAR 300 |
| 10 years | SAR 600 |
Applicants should always check the amount displayed through the official government payment process because fees and service arrangements can change.
Additional delivery charges may also apply depending on the delivery service.
Step 5: Log In to Absher
After preparing your information, access the official Absher platform.
Use your registered account credentials and navigate to the passport services section.
The general route is:
My Services → Passports → Issue Saudi Passport → Passport Issuance Request
Use the official government platform rather than an unofficial website or third-party service.
Step 6: Select the Saudi Passport Issuance Service
Once you open the passport section, select the option for issuing a Saudi passport.
The system will guide you through the application.
If you are applying for yourself, select your own profile. If you are applying for an eligible family member, select the appropriate person where the service allows it.
The options available can depend on the applicant’s age, records, and circumstances.
Step 7: Choose the Passport Validity Period
The passport application allows the applicant to select the applicable validity period.
The official Absher guide identifies five-year and ten-year options, with different issuance fees.
Review the available options carefully before continuing with the application.
Step 8: Review Your Personal Information
Before submitting the request, carefully review the information displayed in Absher.
Check:
- Full name
- Personal information
- Family information where applicable
- Passport validity period
- National address
- Delivery information
- Payment details
If something is incorrect, resolve the issue before submitting the request.
Step 9: Select the Delivery Option
Passport delivery is part of the electronic issuance process.
The government service instructs applicants to provide delivery information and select the applicable delivery method.
Saudi Post/SPL also provides government document delivery services connected to the registered national address.
Make sure your delivery information is accurate before completing the request.
Step 10: Submit the Passport Application
After reviewing your information, payment, and delivery details, submit the passport issuance request.
The system will process the application according to the applicable government procedures.
The Saudi National Platform currently describes the electronic passport issuance service as an immediate service. However, processing the online request and physically receiving the passport are separate stages.
Step 11: Receive and Check Your Saudi Passport
After the issuance process is completed, the passport can be delivered according to the selected delivery arrangements.
When you receive your passport, check the information carefully.
Look at your:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Photograph
- Passport number
- Expiration date
- Other personal information
If you notice an error, contact the relevant Saudi government authority for assistance.
Keep your passport in a safe and secure place.
How Much Does a Saudi Passport Cost?
The official Absher passport issuance guide lists the following fees:
5-year passport: SAR 300
10-year passport: SAR 600
These are the listed passport issuance fees. Additional delivery charges may apply.
Because government fees and service arrangements can change, applicants should confirm the amount shown in the official payment system before completing the transaction.
Can You Apply for a Saudi Passport Online?
Yes. Eligible Saudi citizens can apply for a Saudi passport electronically through Absher.
The Saudi National Platform states that citizens can issue a passport electronically without visiting a passport office after completing the required procedures through Absher.
This digital process can make passport applications more convenient.
However, special situations may involve different procedures. These can include:
- Children’s passports
- Lost passports
- Stolen passports
- Damaged passports
- Applications from Saudi citizens abroad
- Other documentation issues
How Can You Get a Saudi Passport for a Child?
Children may have different passport requirements from adults.
According to Absher’s passport guidance, eligible children under 15 may have their passports issued electronically through a parent’s Absher account, subject to applicable conditions.
The relevant route can include:
Family Members Services → Services → Issuance of Saudi Passport → Choose a Family Member
Additional conditions may apply, including requirements related to the child’s address, identity documents, location, and previous identification.
Parents should check the current Absher instructions before submitting an application for a child.
Does a Child Need a Separate Saudi Passport?
A child who needs to travel internationally generally requires an appropriate travel document.
Parents should check the child’s specific passport requirements rather than assuming that an adult’s passport can be used for the child.
The applicable process can depend on the child’s age and identity documentation.
Can Saudi Women Apply for a Passport?
Yes. Saudi women who meet the applicable requirements can obtain Saudi passports through the available passport services.
The process depends on the applicant’s individual circumstances, age, and government records.
Applicants should follow the current official Absher instructions rather than relying on outdated procedures.
Do You Need to Visit a Passport Office?
For standard electronic passport issuance, a physical visit is generally not required.
The Saudi National Platform states that eligible citizens can issue a Saudi passport electronically through Absher without visiting a passport office.
However, special circumstances can require additional procedures or documentation.
Examples include lost or damaged passports and passport-related services for citizens outside Saudi Arabia.
What If Your Saudi Passport Is Lost or Stolen?
A lost or stolen passport requires a different procedure from a standard passport application.
Saudi government services provide procedures for lost, stolen, or damaged passports.
If a Saudi citizen is outside the Kingdom, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides passport-related services through Saudi diplomatic missions for certain cases involving lost, stolen, or damaged passports.
A police report may be required when a passport has been lost or stolen, along with other documents depending on the circumstances.
Do not treat a lost passport as a normal first-time passport application.
How Can a Saudi Citizen Get a Passport While Abroad?
The process can be different for Saudi citizens who are outside the Kingdom.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides an electronic passport service for Saudi citizens abroad in certain circumstances, including lost, stolen, or damaged passports and certain cases involving children born abroad.
Depending on the case, applicants may need documents such as:
- National ID documentation
- Personal photograph
- Proof of residence or study
- Introduction letter where applicable
- Original passport documentation where applicable
- Police report for a lost or stolen passport
- Guardian consent or custody documentation where applicable
The exact requirements depend on the individual circumstances.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Saudi Passport?
The Saudi National Platform currently lists the electronic passport issuance service duration as immediate.
However, this refers to the online service process and should not necessarily be interpreted as the physical passport being delivered immediately.
Physical delivery is a separate stage and can depend on the applicable delivery arrangements.
Applicants should check the status through the relevant official government service if the passport does not arrive within the expected delivery period.
What Should You Check Before Applying for a Saudi Passport?
Before submitting your application, use this checklist:
- Saudi citizenship status
- Active Absher account
- Correct personal information
- Registered fingerprint and photograph where required
- Valid national address
- Correct passport validity period
- Correct passport fee
- Accurate delivery information
- Additional documents for children or special cases
Preparing these details in advance can make the passport application process easier.
What Should You Do After Receiving Your Saudi Passport?
After receiving your passport, carefully check all printed information.
Confirm that your name, date of birth, photograph, passport number, and expiration date are correct.
Do not attempt to alter the passport yourself.
If you identify an error, contact the appropriate Saudi government authority.
Store the passport securely and avoid unnecessary damage to the document.
What Is the Difference Between a Saudi Passport and an Iqama?
A Saudi passport and an Iqama serve different purposes.
A Saudi passport is a travel document issued to Saudi citizens.
An Iqama, or Saudi residence permit, is a document used by eligible foreign residents to establish lawful residence in Saudi Arabia and access relevant services.
Foreign residents do not normally receive Saudi passports simply because they live or work in Saudi Arabia.
Expatriates generally travel using the passport issued by their home country along with the appropriate Saudi residence documentation.
Is a Saudi Passport Issued Automatically After Payment?
No. Paying the fee is only one part of the passport issuance process.
Applicants still need to complete the applicable Absher application, confirm their information, provide delivery details, and submit the request.
The passport is issued after the relevant government procedures are completed.
What Happens If Your National Address Is Incorrect?
Your national address should be accurate because it may be used for passport delivery.
Saudi Post/SPL provides government document delivery services using the registered national address.
If your address has changed, update the relevant information through the appropriate official service before submitting the passport request.
Can You Renew a Saudi Passport Online?
Yes. Eligible Saudi citizens can renew their passports electronically through Absher.
The general renewal process involves:
Log in to Absher → My Services → Passports → Renew Saudi Passport → Passport Renewal Request → Select renewal duration → Enter delivery details → Review information → Make payment.
Passport renewal is a separate service from first-time passport issuance, so applicants should select the correct option.
What Is the Difference Between Passport Issuance and Renewal?
Passport issuance generally refers to obtaining a passport through the applicable issuance service.
Passport renewal refers to renewing an existing passport through the designated renewal process.
Absher provides separate services for passport issuance and renewal.
Choosing the correct service can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Can You Get a Saudi Passport Without Absher?
For standard online passport issuance, Absher is the primary digital route described by the Saudi government.
The Saudi National Platform directs eligible citizens to Absher for electronic passport issuance.
However, Saudi citizens abroad or people dealing with special passport situations may need to use Ministry of Foreign Affairs services or contact a Saudi diplomatic mission.
FAQs
Who can apply for a Saudi passport?
Saudi citizens who meet the applicable government requirements can apply for a Saudi passport.
Can I apply for a Saudi passport online?
Yes. Eligible Saudi citizens can use Absher for the standard electronic passport issuance process.
How much does a Saudi passport cost?
The official Absher guide lists SAR 300 for five years and SAR 600 for ten years. Always confirm the current fee before payment.
How do I apply for a Saudi passport through Absher?
Log in to Absher, select My Services, open Passports, choose Issue Saudi Passport, and follow the application instructions.
Do I need to visit Jawazat?
For standard electronic issuance, the government states that eligible citizens can complete the process without visiting a passport office.
Can I get a passport for my child?
Eligible children can have passports issued through the applicable family-member service in Absher. Additional conditions may apply.
Can Saudi women get passports?
Yes. Saudi women who meet the applicable requirements can obtain Saudi passports through the relevant passport services.
Can expatriates get a Saudi passport?
No. Saudi passports are issued to Saudi citizens. Foreign residents normally use the passport issued by their own country.
What if my Saudi passport is lost abroad?
Saudi citizens abroad can use applicable Ministry of Foreign Affairs services for lost, stolen, or damaged passports. A police report may be required in lost or stolen passport cases.
Can I renew my Saudi passport online?
Yes. Eligible Saudi citizens can use the electronic passport renewal service through Absher.
How is the Saudi passport delivered?
The passport can be delivered through the applicable delivery service using the registered national address.
How long does Saudi passport issuance take?
The Saudi National Platform currently lists the electronic issuance service as immediate. Physical delivery is a separate stage.
What should I do if my passport information is incorrect?
Do not alter the passport yourself. Contact the appropriate Saudi government authority and follow its instructions for correcting the information.
Final Step-by-Step Summary
Getting a Saudi passport is largely a digital process for eligible Saudi citizens.
The standard process is:
Check eligibility → Prepare your Absher account → Verify your national address → Pay the applicable fee → Log in to Absher → Open Passport Services → Select Issue Saudi Passport → Choose the validity period → Review your information → Select delivery → Submit the request → Receive your passport.
For children, passport renewals, lost or damaged passports, or Saudi citizens living abroad, additional procedures may apply.
The most important point for anyone searching “How to get a passport in Saudi Arabia?” is that eligible Saudi citizens can generally begin the standard passport issuance process online through Absher, while special circumstances may require additional documentation or assistance from Saudi authorities.
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