Electronic authorization services: Full list and access
The Saudi General Directorate of Passports recently outlined the range of electronic authorization services available to residents and citizens, according to posts on its official X account. The announcement explains how users can delegate passport and residency-related tasks to another person through the Absher Individuals platform, enabling authorized representatives to complete certain passport services on behalf of the account holder.
The move aims to simplify interactions with passport services and expand online delegation for dependents and sponsors. Officials said the platform will allow citizens and expatriates to issue, cancel, or follow up on a variety of residency and passport tasks remotely, reducing the need for in-person visits to travel document offices.
Services available through electronic authorization services
According to the General Directorate of Passports, the electronic authorization services cover a wide spectrum of passport services and residency tasks. They include issuing and canceling travel permits for dependents, reporting lost or damaged passports, issuing and renewing resident IDs, and collecting resident ID cards after printing. Furthermore, the service supports issuing and canceling exit and re-entry visas, issuing and canceling final exit visas, and reporting lost resident IDs or passports.
Additionally, the list includes reporting worker absences, adding and removing dependents, converting a dependent to head of household, changing profession records, transferring services, transferring information, and extending visit visas. The authority also enables issuing, renewing, and collecting passports; registering exit-and-return violations; delegating resident services; and checking previous passport records. The comprehensive list, officials said, will be viewable and manageable through the Absher Individuals account.
How to grant and revoke electronic authorization services
Those entitled to delegate must issue an electronic authorization through their Absher Individuals account. Once an authorization is created, the designated representative can conduct the authorized action online on behalf of the delegator. The platform also permits account holders to display active authorizations and cancel them when needed, providing a degree of control and oversight for delegations.
In practice, delegation is intended to be straightforward. Users log into their Absher account, follow the delegation workflow, select the specific passport service or residency task, and assign it to a nominated individual. The nominee then gains temporary access to complete the transaction electronically, which the system logs for accountability and traceability.
Eligibility, conditions and safeguards for electronic authorization services
The authority emphasized clear eligibility and security conditions for electronic authorizations. Delegation requires a valid national identity or residence permit; furthermore, both the delegating and the delegated parties must not have outstanding violations or financial holds that affect the type of service being authorized, officials said. These safeguards aim to prevent misuse and ensure that delegations only proceed when both parties meet regulatory requirements.
Moreover, the system will enforce service-specific constraints. For example, certain visa or passport transactions may be blocked if there are unresolved legal or administrative flags on the delegator’s record. Therefore, users are advised to verify the status of their residency or identity documents and clear any fines or restrictions before attempting to assign an authorization.
Implications for residents, sponsors and service delivery
Experts and officials suggest the expansion of online delegation could reduce administrative burdens for households and businesses that manage multiple dependents or employees. Sponsors and employers may find it easier to handle routine passport services for workers through authorized representatives, while families can delegate travel permit issuance or ID renewals without multiple trips to government centers.
Furthermore, the measure supports broader digital government goals by channeling more transactions through the Absher platform. In contrast to prior processes that required in-person presence or power-of-attorney documentation, the electronic authorization pathway is intended to be faster, more transparent, and auditable. That said, officials caution users to exercise care when authorizing third parties and to monitor active delegations regularly.
Related platforms and integration
The General Directorate of Passports referenced the Absher Individuals service as the primary gateway for managing authorizations. Absher, which already hosts a range of government services such as visa applications and resident ID renewals, will show issued authorizations and allow cancellations. Users can access the portal directly at the official Absher site to start the delegation process and review available services.
What residents should do now and what to watch next
Residents and sponsors who plan to use the electronic authorization services should first confirm that their national ID or residence permit remains valid and that there are no outstanding restrictions on their records. Therefore, reviewing one’s status on Absher and settling any administrative issues beforehand will help ensure a smooth authorization experience.
Observers should watch for additional guidance from the General Directorate of Passports regarding service rollouts, any new restrictions, and workflow updates to the Absher platform. Officials may issue further technical instructions or case-specific clarifications as users begin to adopt the electronic delegation feature more widely. Meanwhile, the ministry’s communications are the authoritative source for detailed procedures and any future expansions.
Conclusion and next steps
The introduction of electronic authorization services through the Absher Individuals platform represents a step toward more flexible and digital-first passport and residency management, according to the General Directorate of Passports. Residents and sponsors should verify eligibility, monitor active delegations, and follow official guidance to benefit from the new service. Going forward, stakeholders will likely track usage patterns and any procedural refinements announced by the authority.
