Riyadh: The Saudi government has launched a special digital service for a few countries that will make it easier to obtain a visa for the kingdom.
Saudi Assistant Minister of Interior for Technical Affairs Prince Bandar bin Abdullah has said that fingerprinting, eye scanning and facial recognition for Saudi visas have been facilitated through smartphones. For countries, foreigners will not have problems obtaining visas.
The Saudi minister said that new digital services would be launched next month to create Saudi passports with microchips.
He said the chip in the new Saudi passports would have a complete data feed of the passport holder which could be read through the electronic screens at the airport, adding that the Interior Ministry was working to improve services.
Bandar bin Abdullah said that the facility of collecting data of visa applicants through smartphones would make it much easier for visa holders, they can take these steps at home.
Previously, the applicant had to go to the designated office and get the credit feed. Initially the service has been launched on an experimental basis for a few countries and will be rolled out to all countries in phases. Umrah, Hajj, visit or work visas can also be obtained through this service.
