Saudi Arabia Announces Strict New Rule for Family Members of Foreign Workers

The Saudi Arabian General Directorate of Passports (GDP) has mandated that all expatriates residing in the Kingdom register the fingerprints of their family members aged six or above, effective immediately.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing processes and bolstering security measures for individuals living, working, or visiting Saudi Arabia.

Enhanced Service Access

Registering fingerprints for dependents is considered crucial for accessing various government services and obtaining official documents.

The GDP underscores that compliance with this regulation ensures a smooth interaction with authorities and seamless navigation of essential procedures.

Digital Visa Extensions for Exit/Re-entry Visa Holders

In response to the needs of foreign residents, Saudi authorities have recently introduced convenient visa options for expatriates.

Exit/re-entry visas now grant foreign residents the flexibility to return to the Kingdom until the expiration of their valid visas, facilitating greater ease of movement.

Remote Visa Extension

To further simplify procedures, the GDP has announced electronic visa extensions for exit/re-entry visa holders while they are outside Saudi Arabia.

This option allows visa extensions through the Absher platform or Muqeem portal, including online payment of associated fees.

Visa Validity Requirements

For the efficient processing of exit/re-entry and final exit visas, foreign nationals are advised to ensure that their passports have at least 90 days of validity for exit/re-entry applications and 60 days for final exit visas.

Expat Community in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is home to a vibrant and diverse community of expatriate workers who significantly contribute to the Kingdom’s economic and social landscape.

Recent data from the Saudi General Authority for Statistics reveals that foreigners make up approximately 41.5% of the total population of 32.2 million.

Leading Nationalities

Asian nationals dominate the expatriate population, with Bangladeshi citizens leading at 2.1 million, followed by Indians (1.88 million) and Pakistanis (1.81 million). Other prominent expat communities include Yemenis, Egyptians, Sudanese, Filipinos, and Syrians.

The implementation of mandatory biometric registration underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing administrative efficiency and creating a secure and streamlined environment for both its citizens and resident expatriates.


  • They started this service back in 2019/2020.
    I remember, we were asked to register fingerprints of the family and kids above 6 some 4 years ago.

  • That’s good policy for each country in the world but in children finger print more problems because skin loses elasticity with age thickening of ridges and furrows may advise use of ridge builder lotions recommended and tech system must be Android

    • جتنے ماہ آپ چھٹی پر آئے اور + 3 سال کی پابندی ھے آپ پر اس کے بعد آپ دوبارہ نیو ویزہ پر جاسکتے ھو

  • Im banned from Saudi on exit re entry visa, we travelled in July to Pakistan and unable to go back, now visa is expired, I not get final exit. What is the process to regain visa according to Saudi laws? it came to know to me that all system is closed in jawazat.

      • My husband can’t enter in KSA as a visitor or working visa
        Only comes on umrah or hajj visa
        His case was now more than 12 yrs but still they stopped him in airport even came for umrah
        No one knows what his ex kafeel did, no issue in any police station, problem only in thé airport

  • بوڑھے آدمیوں کے ا نگلیوں کے نشانات بھی خراب ھو جاتے ھیں ۔ان کو رعایت دی جائے ۔ ان کی صرف فوٹو ھی لی جائے ۔۔
    وزٹ ویزا ھولڈر


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