Saudi Passports: Passport activation requirement for travel to Gulf countries using ID
The General Directorate of Passports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued an important and urgent clarification for citizens wishing to travel to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, stressing the need to complete the technical procedures related to travel documents to ensure smooth movement through border crossings.
Passport activation requirement after renewal
The General Directorate of Passports clarified that if a citizen renews their passport electronically, they will not be able to use their national ID card to travel to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries until the new passport is activated . This clarification dispels any doubts about the possibility of using the national ID card as a direct alternative immediately after passport renewal without completing the necessary procedures.
Activation mechanism and steps
The directorate explained that the activation process is easy and straightforward, and the beneficiary can complete it through:
- Reviewing passport offices in various regions of the Kingdom.
- Visit authorized passport offices.
- Go to the passport offices at international ports of entry (airports, land border crossings, seaports).
The Passports Department confirmed that this step requires bringing the previous passport for examination and cancellation (punch) and handing over the new passport or activating it in the system, noting that this service does not require booking an appointment in advance, in order to make things easier for citizens.
National ID validity requirements for travel
In a related context, the General Directorate of Passports emphasized the importance of verifying the validity of documents before heading to border crossings. Regarding travel to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries using national identity cards, it stipulated that the card must be valid for at least three months at the time of travel. This requirement is essential to prevent travelers from being turned back at border crossings and to protect their legal rights while outside the Kingdom.
Digital identity and international travel
Regarding the use of modern technologies, the General Directorate of Passports highlighted a crucial point often overlooked: the digital ID issued through the “Absher” and “Tawakkalna” platforms is only valid as an official identification document within the Kingdom. Therefore, it cannot be relied upon or used as a travel document for crossing into other countries, as travel requires the original national ID or a valid passport.
The importance of adhering to instructions to facilitate movement
These instructions come as part of the Saudi Arabian authorities' commitment to regulating travel between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which experience heavy movement due to social, economic, and geographical ties. Adherence to these requirements will help prevent congestion at border crossings and spare citizens the inconvenience of canceling or postponing travel at the last minute due to incomplete documentation.
