Latest update on Iqama renewal in Saudi Arabia
According to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), this update allows residents to extend their residency permits and single or multiple exit and re-entry visas through the online platforms Absher and Muqeem.
Beneficiaries can access these services by paying the required fees as per government regulations.
This new policy offers much-needed flexibility for expatriates and their families, especially those unable to return to Saudi Arabia in time for renewals.
Key Fees converted in local currency
Exit and Re-entry Visa Extension: Rs7,684
Iqama Renewal: Rs4269
Final Exit Fee: Rs5197
New Iqama Issuance: Rs3842
Passport Information Update: Rs5123
These updates, shared via the Absher Business platform, reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to streamlining residency and visa-related processes for expats and their dependents.
The measures provide a significant convenience to those living abroad, ensuring smooth operations and enhanced accessibility through digital platforms.
Passport counters set up at NADRA mega centres
The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGIP) has set up passport counters at NADRA Mega Centers situated in North Nazimabad and the Site Industrial Area.
The one-window processing counters are capable of handling all essential formalities for the issuance and renewal of passports, including photo, thumb impressions, and document verification.
The facility will cater to over 400 passport applications on a daily basis. The new facility, launched on Monday, will reduce the rush at passport offices situated in Saddar and Awami Markaz.
Initially, six passport processing counters have been set up at NADRA Mega Center in North Nazimabad near Five Star Chowrangi, while six counters have been set up at NADRA Mega Center situated in Site Industrial Area.
An assistant director and required staff has been deployed at both the centers.
These facilities will work round the clock in three shifts. Citizens will be able to avail passport renewal and issuance services 24 hours a day in both centers. At least 400 applicants are likely to benefit from bot centers every day.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Biometric verification of registered persons: LTBA urges FBR, Nadra to bring in secure mobile app
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) should jointly implement a secure mobile application for biometric verification of sales tax registered persons. According to a letter of the Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) to the FBR Chairman, the association highlighted major challenges faced by certain sales taxpayers under the current biometric verification system and proposed a digital solution aligned with FBR's commitment to facilitation and innovation. Presently, biometric verification for sales tax registration and annually bio metric which required in terms of SRO 350(1)/2024 is conducted exclusively through Nadra's physical infrastructure. While this may suffice for most residents, it poses considerable challenges for the following categories of taxpayers: (I); Individuals temporarily residing or travelling abroad. (2); Taxpayers located in remote or underdeveloped areas. (3); Elderly or physically challenged individuals who cannot easily access the Nadra facilities. Due to the unavailability of a remote verification mechanism, these taxpayers are unable to complete their sales tax registration and annually biometric which required in tarns of SRO 350(1)/2024 dated 07.03.2025, despite their willingness to comply with legal requirements. This creates unnecessary delays, hampers business operations, filing of sales tax returns and discourages potential entrants into the tax system. Key challenges included no Remote Option for Overseas Taxpayers and delays in Registration Activation and filing of sales tax returns. He LTBA proposed the FBR should consider in coordination with Nadra, the development and deployment of a secure mobile application for biometric verification. This solution may include facial recognition or fingerprint scanning wing smartphone technology and secure integration between the FBR and the Nadra. The expected benefits included enhanced taxpayer's facilitation particularly for overseas Pakistanis and remote areas residents, improved compliance rate with quicker registration and fewer delays; expanded lax base and alignment with FBR's digital transformation and automation goals. The association is confident that this initiative would greatly enhance the accessibility, efficiency, compliance and Inclusivity of FBR's taxpayers' registration system and ease filing of sales tax returns and enhance the revenue collection, it added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
07-08-2025
- Business Recorder
CNIC-based number plates to remain with owner after vehicle sale, Sindh cabinet approves plan
The Sindh cabinet approved on Thursday a proposal by the Excise department to introduce a CNIC-based vehicle registration system, along with personalised registration marks (PRMs), under which the number plate will remain with the owner even after they sell the vehicle. The new system would link registration marks directly to a vehicle owner's CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) rather than the vehicle's chassis, allowing owners to retain and reuse their personalised number plates even after selling their vehicle, the Chief Minister House said in a statement. Here's how to apply for new Ajrak design number plates online 'The cabinet, in principle, approved the CNIC-based registration model and its legal amendments to bring Sindh's system in line with global best practices and recent reforms in the Islamabad Capital Territory,' the statement read. 'The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) will now be based on the chassis number, which remains the permanent identifier of the vehicle. 'PRMs can be retained, reused, or surrendered by owners. The system enables real-time traceability of vehicles and aligns with international standards. CNIC-linked registration promotes easy tracking of taxpayer assets and improves administrative convenience,' it added. 'It will be a modernised, owner-centric registration system with integration with NADRA's national database. It will have enhanced traceability and standardisation across provinces.' Under the model, number plates will be retained by owners, and upon sale of a vehicle, the plate is detached from the chassis and can be reassigned. If not retained, the number will be surrendered for auction or reissuance. 'I had to skip work again': Karachiites struggle with Ajrak number plates process Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the Excise & Taxation Department to develop the CNIC-based system and begin its testing, followed by amending the necessary law. 'The CNIC-based vehicle registration would not be implemented immediately, but he [CM Sindh] would hold follow-up meetings to oversee its implementation once it has been properly tested.' The development comes amid the provincial government's campaign for new Ajrak-design number plates, which it links with the Safe City Project began in 2018. The new plates, according to Sindh's Excise and Taxation minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, include threads in the background, 3D holograms, and barcodes. He has emphasised that Safe City Project would not succeed until the security-enhanced number plates issued by the government were fully implemented. Seizure of unregistered customs vehicles Meanwhile, Sindh government proposed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the registration of confiscated or seized government vehicles with tampered chassis or cut-and-weld alterations. Number plates with Ajrak design: only Excise-issued plates are valid, says minister The SOPs allow only federal and provincial government entities to register such vehicles under special non-transferable registration series (GPY/GPZ for federal, GSY/GSZ for provincial). 'The registration fee will be based on the vehicle's invoice value, and thorough verification will be required before registration. Seized vehicles currently with the Sindh Excise Department may be released to Pakistan Customs, provided they are registered within 60 days under the new SOPs. The proposal has been submitted to the provincial cabinet for approval.' The cabinet formed a committee under the Minister of Excise to firm up the proposal under the law.
Business Recorder
05-08-2025
- Business Recorder
Dead defaulters: LESCO to provide installment facility
LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has decided to recover dues worth billions of rupees by providing installment facility to dead defaulters. A letter has been issued for the recovery of Rs33 billion in installments from defaulters. Despite the disconnection, it may be noted, the defaulters have not paid the dues. Accordingly, Director Customer Services Abbas Ali sent a letter for online installments. According to the issued letter, an online link should be issued for recovery from dead defaulters, and only online installments will be provided to the consumers. It was directed to connect the online link to banks, NADRA and other institutions. Billions of rupees of LESCO were lost due to disconnection of consumers' connections. It was decided to provide installments for recovery of billions of rupees. LESCO has disconnected the connections of dead defaulters and taken possession of their properties. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
