Saudi Passport Office

The Saudi Passport Office is part of the Kingdom’s history of passport and residence permit (Iqama) administration. Responsibility for these duties was assigned to the Makkah Police Department in 1343 AH.

History and Purpose

The Makkah Police Department assumed full responsibility for passports and residence permits. A specialized system for passports and travel procedures was needed to streamline processes and define regulations, support diplomatic relations and social and commercial activities, and arrange services for Hajj pilgrims.

Passport Administration and Pilgrim Travel

The General Directorate of Passports’ key achievements include:

• Establishing main passport administrations throughout the Kingdom and branch administrations in major cities.
• Organizing pilgrims’ annual entry and exit through the Kingdom’s ports of entry.

Electronic Passports and Fee Payments

• Implementing the Electronic Saudi Passport System with high-security specifications.
• Implementing financial systems to facilitate passport fee payments through banks.