Saudi Arabia- Fingerprinting made mandatory for renewal of iqamas 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Directorate General of Passports announced on Wednesday that it would start implementing a fingerprinting system for iqama (residence permit) renewals from mid-April.

"Iqamas for foreigners will not be renewed without fingerprints," Director of Passports Maj. Gen. Salim bin Muhammad Al-Bilaihid said.

He said implementing a fingerprinting system throughout the Kingdom was now in its fourth stage.

"The first stage was implemented more than two years ago when fingerprinting was applied at airports and land and sea inlets, the second when it was made a prerequisite for the issuance of new iqamas, their transfer, amendment and replacement and the third was when it was linked to exit and re-entry and final exit visas," he said. The fourth stage was implementing the system for iqama renewals.

Al-Bilaihid said the Directorate General of Passports has now implemented fingerprinting in all services provided to foreigners.

"This system will preserve the rights of foreigners and citizens and prevent any tampering with expatriates' data," he said.

The directorate general of passports has specified special locations in various cities where fingerprints can be taken.

Its mobile units have visited industrial areas and offices of big companies to take the fingerprints of their foreign employees.

By Md Humaidan