Saudis and expatriates can soon use their magnetic identity and iqama cards to enter and exit the Kingdom, instead of having to show their passports at the country's airports. This is part of the e-gate system being introduced by the Directorate General of Passports at all the Kingdom's airports, said a senior official at the directorate, reported Al-Watan Arabic newspaper. However, travelers must still have their passports with them because this is a requirement in other countries. The official said the system will first be introduced next week at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd Airport in Dammam. An individual's particulars are automatically registered when using the magnetic ID card on departure and arrival. He said that citizens who fail to change their old IDs to the magnetic ones will not be able to use the computerized system. Last year, Saudi Arabia introduced another electronic system at two of its airports to improve passenger throughput. The systems — at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam — used passenger's biometric images. Passengers were asked to punch their cards and place their index fingers in an allocated space to get a biometric print. The country's Passport Department had indicated that the facility would be extended to other airports in the Kingdom. Local reports last year suggested the system will be able to process passengers at an average time of five to seven seconds per person. This is seen as a big improvement, and has been welcomed by organizations involved in promoting the country as an ideal place for investment. They argue that such systems will make it easier for foreign investors to travel to the country and will thus help them do business with their Saudi counterparts.
