Riyadh:
Expatriates in Saudi Arabia can now renew visit visas for their relatives online under a new service to be launched on August 11 in the Gulf nation, home to over 2.5 million Indians.
Saudi Arabia Passport Department will launch its Abshir system that would enable expatriates to renew the visit visas online while another Abshir programme would also be launched to help Saudis renew their passports using the electronic system, said Col Mohammed Al-Saad, director of public relations.
"We have readied the two services after testing the systems," he was quoted as saying by Arab News.
The new service would help the 2.5 million plus strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia.
Indians form the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, according to Indian Embassy, Riyadh.
Al-Saad urged Saudis and expatriates to make use of its electronic services to save their time and energy.
People can register with Abshir by visiting one of the department's offices or using interactive machines available at banks, as well as at malls and international airports.
"The registration of expats with the Interior Ministry's electronic system simplified their residency procedures, including issuance of exit and re-entry visas," Omar Abubacker, a business consultant, told Arab News.