RIYADH — The Passports Department (Jawazat) has urged Saudi citizens to have separate passports for their children, no matter how old they may be. Jawazat spokesman Lt. Col. Ahmed Bin Fahd Al-Lihaidan said when travel approval is issued, it will automatically cover the holder of the passport and all listed companions. “For this very reason, we advise all citizens to make separate passports for their children even if they are a few days old,” he said. Lihaidan noted that the Jawazat has been urging the citizens to issue independent passports for their children and said a Saudi passport can be issued to any Saudi citizen regardless of age. “The independent passports will ensure the rights of the holders and facilitate the completion of travel procedures very quickly,” he said. The spokesman said a number of foreign embassies refused to grant Saudi passport holders visit visas to their countries because their children were included as companions in their passports. He asked every Saudi citizen wishing to renew a passport or obtain a new one to apply for separate passports for each child. He said: “The system of granting travel permits for families will deal automatically with the passport holders. “The permits will automatically be granted to their companions in the passport.” The spokesman warned that no more passports with listed companions would be issued from now on. — SG
