The Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia launched a new digital service on October 26th, Monday. Basically, this digital service allows GCC nationals and other visitors to complete their procedures before they arrive at the land border crossing of the kingdom. Called the ‘Absher Travel for Visitors’ service, here’s all you need to know about the new service that is available through the Absher app.
Saudi Arabia Launches Absher Travel for Visitors Service
As further revealed in a report by Gulf News, the ‘Absher Travel for Visitors’ service will be available through the Absher app, and is going to become mandatory after six months of launch. Basically, this service allows travellers to register their personal and vehicle details, obtain vehicle insurance, and complete their entry requirements electronically before they reach the border. This reduces the need to fulfil the procedure on arrival.
What Does This Service Do?
However, in order to use the service, visitors should make use of the ‘Absher Travel for Visitors’ section of the app. They will have to select their nationality, enter their mobile phone number, and travel document type. After this, they must specify their intended border crossing and expected travel date. Once all of this is done, they will have to fill in the required traveller, vehicle, and insurance information.
For those who don’t know, this initiative has been launched in cooperation with several government agencies. These include the ministries of Zakat, Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), the Insurance Authority, the Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), and the General Directorate of Passports and Public Security.
With the launch of the service, border procedures are bound to be more streamlined. Moreover, it would expand the digital government services and improve the travel experience for visitors who enter the kingdom by land.
Recently, Saudi Made Other Important Decisions Regarding Visa
This development comes months after the cabinet in Saudi Arabia had approved the establishment of a unified national visa platform. This happened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which made it the Kingdom’s official platform for visa services. The cabinet also approved agreements with Hungary, Poland, and Kazakhstan for mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports during the meeting.
So, with the launch of this new service, travel is bound to become a lot more seamless. And in six months, it’s going to become mandatory.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Buthaynah AlHarthi from Scopio (Cover image is for representative purposes only)
FAQs
What is the new service launched by the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia for border crossings?
Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia has launched a new service called Absher Travel for Visitors on the Absher app.
What does the new border entry service do?
Basically, the new service allows GCC nationals and other visitors to complete their entry procedures electronically before they enter the land border crossings of the kingdom.
