Online visas for expat families in Saudi soon –report

Filipinos and other expatriates in Saudi Arabia may soon avail of a new online facility that lets them apply for visas for their spouses and children, a Saudi news site reported Tuesday.

Deputy Crown Prince and second deputy premier and minister of interior Muhammad bin Naif launched the service Tuesday, Arab News reported.

Quoting a source, the Arab News report said visas would be issued only to expatriates who are eligible to bring their families to the Kingdom.

The Arab News report also quoted the source as saying that users must register for the ministry's Abshir services, which facilitate online requests from citizens and expatriates in English and Arabic.

In the registration process, applicants can select the icon for a new user, then enter personal data such as iqama number, e-mail address, preferred language and mobile phone number.

Fingerprinting at machines will activate the account.

Users can also open accounts at an office of the ministry. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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