Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs Ambassador Tamim Al-Dosary said that the ministry would implement the first phase of the self-registration of the biometrics of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in five countries.

The procedures of self-registration have already started in Kuwait, and it will be available to citizens of Tunisia, Malaysia, United Kingdom and Bangladesh also in the first phase, he said while attending a program titled “YaHalaShow” on Rotana Khalijiya channel.

“Those who want to get Umrah visas issued electronically need not go personally to any embassies or police stations to register their biometrics. What they need to do is simply register their biometrics through the designated app on their smart phones, and then complete the procedures of applying for Umrah visa electronically,” he said.

Al-Dosary said the biometrics includes fingerprints, eyes and face, and other vital features. “There is a plan to include self-registering of biometrics for all types of visas in addition to the Umrah visa through this app,” he added.

It is noteworthy that Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal Bin Farhan launched on Oct. 6 the application for self-registration of the biometrics of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims through smartphones.

This will enable aspiring pilgrims to get Hajj and Umrah visas issued online from their respective countries without approaching the visa issuing centers to register their biometrics.

With the launch of the new mechanism, Saudi Arabia has become the first country in the world that allows registration of biometrics via smart phones for the issuance of electronic visas.

The biometrics matching process will be carried out at the time of the pilgrims’ arrival at the land, sea and airports in the Kingdom. The self-registration of biometrics service will be implemented through the Saudi Company for Visa and Travel Solutions.