Jawazat department, which is said to General Directorate of Passports within the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia.
Its main function is to manage people’s Entry and Exit in and out of the country.
This includes processing visa and residency permit applications, issuing passports and travel documents, and ensuring compliance with immigration laws and regulations.
Jawazat plays a vital role in ensuring country security by verifying the identity of resident and legal status of individuals who enter and reside in Saudi Arabia.
It collects and maintains records of all visitors and residents in the country, including their personal and biometric data.
Table of Contents
Jawazat’s functions
- Immigration
- Issuing Saudi citizens permits to travel abroad
- Assisting with lost or stolen passports
- Handling administrative tasks related to travel and residency in Saudi Arabia.
Which includes
- Issuing/cancelling Exit-Reentry visas.
- Issuing/cancelling Final Exit visas.
- Issuing/renewing residence permit cards.
- Register data of passport of household labor.
- Taking fingerprints of household labor.
- Printing an issued or renewed Iqama through Absher service.
Branches of Jawazat office
To serve us as residents or visitors, Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports) has several branches throughout Saudi Arabia.
As of September 2021, there were more than 120 Jawazat branches across the country, which may change over time as new offices are opened or consolidated.
The Jawazat branches are almost in every region of Saudi Arabia such as in Riyadh Jawazat offices name e-Service Division at Al-Rimal district and other eService Division at Sahara Mall – women section.
You can also check official website of MOI for more nearest branches of Jawazat near your place.
Working Time and Days of Jawazat offices
The exact timing of Jawazat offices in different cities of Saudi Arabia may vary depending on the location and day of the week.
As per my information, Jawazat offices are open Sunday to Thursday from 7 AM to 2 PM, and closed on Fridays and Saturdays, which are the weekend days in Saudi Arabia.
Some Jawazat offices may also have extended working hours, especially during busy periods like the Hajj season or in the lead up to major holidays, to accommodate higher volumes of visitors.
In such months Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia update their websites with new timing and schedule and also spread through other official channels.
If you need to visit a Jawazat office, it’s always a good idea to check the specific opening hours and days for your location beforehand, especially if you’re travelling from a different city or region.
Iqama Procedure in Jawazat
For foreign nationals who live or work in Saudi Arabia, it is necessary to obtain an Iqama (residence permit) from Jawazat.
Here are the general steps to obtain an Iqama:
- Obtain a valid work visa: Your employer in Saudi Arabia should sponsor your work visa and obtain the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies.
- Enter Saudi Arabia and complete medical exams: Once you have a valid work visa, you will need to enter Saudi Arabia and complete medical examinations as part of the visa application process.
- Apply for Iqama within 90 days: After entering Saudi Arabia, you will need to apply for an Iqama within 90 days. Your employer should assist you with this process, which involves submitting the necessary documents (including your passport, work visa, medical examination results, and other supporting documents) to the Jawazat office.
- Complete biometric data collection: Once your application has been accepted, you will need to visit a Jawazat office to complete biometric data collection, including fingerprints and a facial photograph.
- Collect your Iqama: After your biometric data has been collected, you will be given a receipt and asked to return at a later date to collect your Iqama.
An Iqama may require unique requirements and procedures depending upon your individual circumstances as well as your employer’s and Jawazat’s policies.
Book Appointment in Jawazat
With Absher’s portal and mobile app, we can access many Jawazat services online, after this we don’t have to visit any branch such as Jawazat Dammam office or Jawazat Jubail office to complete transactions or requests.
To schedule an appointment with Jawazat in Saudi Arabia, you can follow these general steps:
- Go to Absher portal
- Select the service you need
- Book an Appointment
- Select “Passports” in the Appointments section.
- Enter your Details such as Iqama number, date of birth and Captcha given.
- Click on “Verify My Details.”
- Click on “Proceed to Service.
- On next chose “Book New Appointment“
- Select service you want to book such as Registration of Fingerprints for Men, Resident services or Internally Displaced Peoples Card Renewal etc.
- Choose a region and Transaction: After selecting the service, you will be prompted to choose a location for your appointment and transaction.
- Select you nearest branch location.
- Then you will see date detail select your suitable date for appointment. Depending on demand and availability, wait times for appointments may vary, so it’s best to schedule your appointment as early as possible.
- After setting your location and date, you can review and confirm your appointment details, and then submit it.
- Confirmation message sent with your appointment details.
If you have any issues or questions during the appointment booking process, you can contact the Jawazat office directly.
You can also visit the Jawazat offices such as Jawazat Jeddah or Jawazat Rehab or other Jawazat offices near to you in person to request assistance.
Without appointment
Some Jawazat offices may allow walk-ins for certain services, while others may require an appointment in advance to manage wait times and ensure that the necessary staff and resources are available to serve you.
If you want to go without appointment, this depends on the type of service you need from Jawazat.
For some services, such as collecting a previously issued residency permit or passport, you may be able to visit a Jawazat offices like Jawazat Abha, Jawazat time Riyadh etc. without an appointment.
However, for other services, such as applying for a new residency permit or visa, you may need to schedule an appointment in advance.
In general, it’s a good idea to check with the specific Jawazat office such as Jawazat office near to you, Jawazat Malaz, Jawazat Madinah or if you plan to visit and inquire about their appointment policy for the service you require.
It’s also a good idea to bring all necessary documents and supporting materials with you to avoid delays or complications.
Apply and Process of visa in Jawazat
To apply for a visa in Saudi Arabia, the following general steps may apply:
- Determine the type of visa: The first step is to determine the type of visa you need based on your purpose of travel. The Types of visas available in Saudi Arabia include work visas, business visas, family visit visas, tourism visas, and others.
- Check eligibility and requirements: Once you have determined the type of visa you need, you should check the eligibility criteria and requirements for that visa category. This may include providing supporting documents such as a passport, photographs, sponsor letters, or proof of travel arrangements.
- Submit the application: You can submit your visa application through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ online portal or through a Saudi embassy or consulate in your home country. You may also need to pay a fee for the visa application.
- Wait for processing: Once your application is submitted, it will be processed by the relevant authorities, including the Jawazat. The processing time can vary depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications being processed.
- Collect your visa: Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa. This may be in the form of a sticker in your passport or as an electronic visa that can be printed or displayed on your mobile device.
Jawazat is also responsible for the issuance and cancelation of exit re-entry and final exit visas.
It’s important to note that the visa application process and requirements can vary depending on the type of visa and the applicant’s nationality and circumstances.
To get the most current information and guidance on how to apply for a Saudi visa, make sure you contact the Saudi embassy or consulate in your home country.
Process time of Exit visa in Saudi Arabia
The processing time for an exit visa in Saudi Arabia can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the individual.
In addition, it depends on the policies of the Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports) office handling the application.
It is generally recommended that you apply for an exit visa at least two weeks before your planned departure date. This will allow sufficient processing time.
For foreign nationals sponsored by an employer in Saudi Arabia, the employer initiates the exit visa process through the Ministry of Interior’s online portal.
An exit visa request must be submitted along with supporting documents, such as a passport and residency permit.
When the application is submitted, the employer can track the status online and receive notifications when the exit visa is approved.
In some cases, the employer may need additional documentation or information to complete the application process.
An exit visa can take from a few days to several weeks to process, depending on the Jawazat office’s workload.
Check with your employer or the Jawazat Dammam, Jawazat Yanbu, Jawazat Makkah office or other Jawazat offices in Saudi Arabia for an estimate of the processing time for your specific case before traveling.
Conclusion
Jawazat, also known as the General Directorate of Passports, is responsible for issuing residency permits and visas in Saudi Arabia.
With Absher’s portal and mobile app, users can access many Jawazat services online, so they do not have to visit a branch to complete transactions or requests.
If you need to visit a Jawazat office, it’s always a good idea to check the specific opening hours and days for your location beforehand, especially if you’re travelling from a different city or region.