Passport office hours during Eid al-Adha holiday for emergency cases
The General Directorate of Passports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its operating hours during the Eid al-Adha holiday , as part of its ongoing commitment to providing the best possible services to citizens and residents. This step aims to ensure the smooth processing of important transactions and to serve beneficiaries in urgent cases that cannot be postponed, reflecting the government's commitment to providing continuous support even during official holidays.
The Kingdom's ongoing efforts to serve pilgrims and citizens
Historically, the Saudi Arabian government has placed great importance on the Hajj and Eid al-Adha seasons, with all government and security sectors working together to facilitate procedures. In this context, the General Directorate of Passports is a cornerstone in managing the movement of travelers and pilgrims. While many services have transitioned to digital platforms as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 technological advancements, the need remains for offices to operate during holidays to handle exceptional and emergency cases requiring direct human intervention, highlighting the remarkable flexibility of Saudi government administration.
Details of passport office hours during the Eid al-Adha holiday in Riyadh and Jeddah
The General Directorate of Passports confirmed its full readiness to receive emergency cases and complete services that cannot be accessed through the Ministry of Interior's electronic platform, "Absher." A prior online appointment is required to complete these services. The Directorate clarified that the Passports branch in the Al-Rimal district of Riyadh will operate regularly daily from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM throughout the holiday period. In Jeddah, the passport branches at Al-Serafi Mall and Al-Tahlia Center will be open from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, starting Friday, December 5, 1447 AH (corresponding to December 5, 2020) and continuing until the end of the workday on Monday, December 8, 1447 AH (corresponding to December 8, 2020).
Regarding the rest of the regional passport offices throughout the Kingdom, the Directorate indicated that they will continue their work during the holiday period from Sunday to Thursday, during the morning period starting from 7:30 am until 2:30 pm, to ensure wide geographical coverage that meets the needs of beneficiaries in all cities and governorates.
The positive impact of continuing work during official holidays
The continued operation of vital sectors such as passport services is of paramount importance and has a tangible positive impact both locally and regionally. Locally, this measure reassures citizens and residents that there is ongoing support to resolve any legal or travel-related obstacles they may encounter unexpectedly. Regionally and internationally, this preparedness reflects the efficiency of Saudi institutions and their ability to effectively manage crises and emergencies, particularly during peak seasons that witness the influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims from around the world.
Making the most of the "Tawasul" electronic service
In addition to its field operations, the General Directorate of Passports urged all beneficiaries to utilize the "Tawasul" electronic service. This innovative service allows for the submission of requests for transactions that cannot be completed electronically through traditional channels, eliminating the need to visit passport offices in person. This initiative aims to save beneficiaries time and effort and reduce congestion at government offices, aligning with the Kingdom's comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
