Absher Travel Service at Salwa Border Crossing: Advantages and Registration Method
The Saudi Ministry of Interior's "Absher" e-platform announced the expansion of its "Absher Travel" service to include the Salwa border crossing, serving travelers crossing by land into the sisterly State of Qatar. This step complements the Ministry's efforts in digital transformation and streamlining travel procedures through land border crossings, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to developing the digital infrastructure of the passport and customs sector.
The importance of the Salwa border crossing and digital transformation
The Salwa border crossing is the main land artery connecting Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and it experiences heavy traffic of passengers and goods, especially during holidays and sporting and tourism events. The activation of the "Absher Travel" service at this vital crossing is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing waiting times and transforming land travel into a smart and seamless experience, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of improving the quality of government services.
Advantages of the Absher Travel service for travelers
The platform explained via its official account that the service allows citizens and residents to complete travel procedures in advance before arriving at the port, thus guaranteeing them the following benefits:
- Special lane: Providing dedicated lanes at the port for those registered for the service, ensuring fast passage and avoiding congestion.
- Pre-registration: The ability to enter vehicle and passenger data and pay the necessary fees before departure.
- Smart verification: Ensuring the eligibility of travelers and the validity of their documents before arrival at the port of entry to avoid any obstacles.
Answers to the most important questions from travelers
As part of clarifying the process for beneficiaries, the "Absher" platform answered a number of frequently asked questions about how the service works at the Salwa border crossing:
1. Eligible categories and vehicle requirements
The service is available to both citizens and residents. To use it, the driver must be the vehicle owner or someone officially authorized to drive it, and the "trip creator" via the app must be among the passengers on the same trip.
2. Payment of fees and insurance
The service offers flexible payment options, allowing travelers to optionally pay bridge crossing fees and vehicle insurance fees via the "Absher" application before arrival, or pay using traditional methods upon arrival at the port, thus saving time and effort.
3. Travel documents and spatial verification
The platform emphasized that using the app does not replace the need to carry original travel documents (passport or national ID), which must be presented to passport control officers. It also noted the necessity of completing "location verification" upon arrival at the port of entry via the "Nafath" app. If this is not technically possible, biometric verification (fingerprints) will be conducted by a passport control officer at the booth.
The impact of the service on travel patterns
The implementation of this service at the Salwa border crossing is expected to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours and enhance the crossing's operational efficiency. The Absher platform continues to provide its digital solutions, enabling beneficiaries to access services from anywhere without needing to visit government offices, thus improving the well-being of citizens and residents and facilitating their regional travel.
