The General Directorate of Passports has introduced a number of free electronic services to speed up transactions for citizens and expatriates, said Maj. Gen. Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Shalfan, Director of Passports in the Eastern Province. Addressing a monthly meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, he said this includes the “Abshir” service for domestic worker transactions on the Ministry of Interior's website. The “Muqeem” service allows companies to process the transactions of their sponsors through the Internet. There is also “Ish'aar” which sends messages to beneficiaries to notify them about the expiry of their iqamas or changes to their family or employee records. There is also a service at the airport which allows travelers to process their documents without passport officers. The public can get information on the arrival of any expatriate at any entry point on the toll-free number 920011252. New services in future include the issue and cancellation of travel visas for minors and mahrams. He said the electronic services have reduced overcrowding at airports.
