Saudi Jawazat rolls out Absher digital visitor ID for Hajj pilgrims
Saudi Jawazat introduces Absher digital visitor ID to allow pilgrims safer, passport-free movement inside the kingdom while mobile counters speed arrival processing.
Saudi Jawazat enables registration via Absher
The General Directorate of Passports in Saudi Arabia announced that pilgrims can now register through the Absher platform to obtain an Absher digital visitor ID. This digital identity is issued as an official document to facilitate secure and efficient movement for pilgrims during their stay in the kingdom. The initiative is intended to streamline internal travel and reduce the need to carry a paper passport while performing religious rites.
Authorities said the registration process on Absher is designed to be straightforward for international arrivals, allowing pilgrims to prepare their documentation before leaving their countries. The move is part of a broader effort to digitalise traveller services and improve the overall experience for visitors undertaking Hajj.
Digital visitor ID accepted as an official travel document
The Jawazat described the Absher digital visitor ID as a formally recognised identity credential that authorities will accept for movement within Saudi Arabia. The ID reduces the administrative burden on pilgrims by replacing the need to present a physical passport during local transit and at checkpoints. Officials emphasised that the digital document meets security and verification standards required for internal travel.
By relying on digital verification, officials expect faster identity checks and fewer instances of lost or misplaced travel documents. The approach aligns with wider public-sector digital transformation efforts that prioritise convenience while maintaining security controls.
Mobile counters deployed at international entry points
To manage inbound pilgrims efficiently, Jawazat deployed a mobile processing unit known locally as the “kaounter al-mutanqil” at key international entry points. These mobile counters are equipped to capture biometric data, take facial photographs and read passport information on the spot. The portable stations are intended to shorten queues and enable arrivals to complete entry formalities rapidly without prolonged waiting.
Officials highlighted that the mobile counters are particularly useful at busy seaports, airports and land crossings, where rapid throughput is essential to handle peak arrival periods. The equipment is also intended to support contingency operations and to be moved where demand is highest.
Faster processing for elderly pilgrims and those with disabilities
Jawazat has emphasised accessibility in its deployment strategy, noting that mobile counters and the digital visitor ID specifically aim to assist older pilgrims and people with disabilities. The mobile units allow staff to conduct biometric captures and passport reads at close range, reducing the physical strain and time older travellers typically face. This targeted support is part of a wider effort to make pilgrimage logistics more inclusive.
By combining digital ID issuance with on-site services, authorities hope to minimise bottlenecks that disproportionately affect vulnerable travellers. The arrangement also reduces the need for repeat visits to fixed counters, enhancing dignity and comfort for those requiring additional assistance.
Operational readiness ahead of Hajj 1447 AH
The General Directorate of Passports said it is ready to receive pilgrims arriving for Hajj 1447 AH and has ramped up technology and staffing to support expected flows. The combination of Absher registration and mobile processing units is being presented as an operational package to ensure arrivals are handled securely and with minimal delay. Officials noted that these measures complement other logistics and security arrangements coordinated across ministries and agencies.
Authorities reiterated that the systems were tested at various points of entry and that personnel received training on the new devices and digital procedures. The integrated approach aims to deliver a safer, more predictable experience for pilgrims and to limit disruptions during peak arrival windows.
Saudi Arabia’s authorities present the Absher digital visitor ID and mobile counter rollout as part of a coordinated push to modernise pilgrim services while enhancing reliability and protection. Stakeholders say the changes should ease movement inside the kingdom and reduce administrative friction for millions of visitors during the Hajj season.
The success of the initiative will depend on clear communication with incoming pilgrims, continued technical support for Absher services and the sustained availability of mobile processing units at the busiest entry points.
