United News of Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) is set to introduce a new “Self-Deportation Platform” that will allow illegal residents to complete their departure procedures online, marking a shift away from traditional deportation methods. Acting Director General of Jawazat Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba announced the initiative during the Digital Government Forum 2025 in Riyadh on Thursday (6th November 2025). He said the digital platform will be launched once all security, technical, and operational measures are finalised. “This will enable violators of residency, labor, and border laws to complete their exit processes electronically,” he explained. Al-Murabba also revealed that the directorate is preparing to launch a “smart track” system to simplify airport procedures. The new track will use smart cameras capable of verifying the identities of up to 35 travelers at once, allowing them to pass through without interacting with passport officers. Read more: AI boom hits Bangladesh amid global race in ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ The Jawazat chief further announced plans to introduce “Digital Twins” technology — an advanced system that uses data models and analytics to monitor crowd movements, calculate waiting times, and assess passenger satisfaction. The technology was successfully tested during the 2024 Hajj season, reports Saudi Gazette . He added that the digital passport, already available through the “Absher” platform, is being developed further through new international agreements to expand its global use. According to Al-Murabba, the new digital systems will help streamline departure procedures, eliminating the need for passengers to go through manual passport control. Smart devices, automated verification, and connected security systems will facilitate smoother travel experiences. The Jawazat is also planning to establish a “unified gateway” for real-time exchange of passenger data between countries, improving international coordination during transit through Saudi Arabia. Highlighting the Ministry of Interior’s ongoing digital transformation, Al-Murabba said visitors to the Kingdom can already witness major advancements in passport services. The goal, he noted, is to turn Saudi Arabia’s ports of entry into AI-powered smart gateways that ensure faster and more efficient travel. He also expressed pride that Jawazat currently offers over 100 digital services through the Absher platform, benefiting more than 24 million users in 2024. Additionally, the newly launched Smart Voice Agent service now provides 24/7 assistance without human intervention, available through the number 992. Read more: Saudi Arabia set to shorten Umrah visa validity

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