Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — Saudi embassies abroad have started taking biometrics of Umrah visa applicants following a new measure that came into effect from the beginning of the new Hijra year.

The move comes after a decision by the Saudi government to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims coming to the Kingdom for Haj and Umrah.

The Saudi Embassy in Pakistan has instructed all its accredited pilgrim service offices to obtain biometrics of pilgrims before applying for visas.

Previously the measure was applied on pilgrims from a few countries.

The Saudi Embassy in Sweden said the Saudi government has signed contracts with specialized international companies to take biometrics of people applying for entry visas including pilgrims, Al-Hayat Arabic daily reported.

The contracted company will establish biometric centers in Sweden, which will replace the existing visa service centers, a senior official said.

“The early registration of biometrics will reduce waiting time at immigration counters at the Kingdom’s entry points. The new system will ensure better services to visa applicants,” the official said.

In another development, the Civil Status Affairs Department in the Kingdom has instructed Saudi students pursuing higher studies in foreign universities not to marry non-Saudi women without receiving permission from authorities.

“This is also essential to register the names of their children to receive civil IDs,” the Arabic daily said quoting an informed source.

The department also urged Saudi scholarship students to renew their civil IDs six months before their expiration dates. “They should also register the birth of children at Saudi foreign missions within 30 days after delivery of the baby. The registration cannot be used as a travel document but can be used to prove dependency of the child,” the source said.

The department also urged students not to surrender their Civil IDs as a guarantee.