LOC19:47
16:47 GMT
RIYADH, Dec 4 (KUNA) -- Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday declared allowing registration of vital features of "biosignature" for those coming from five countries to complete the procedures for issuing Umrah visas electronically prior to their arrival in the cities Makkah and Madina.
The five countries are namely UK, Tunisia, Kuwait, Bangladesh and Malaysia, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the move is part of efforts by all Saudi government sectors to facilitate the procedures for the arrival of pilgrims and Umrah performers.
It also aims to better serve pilgrims and Umrah performers at Saudi Arabia's border crossings, and enrich their religious and cultural experience to achieve the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The registration of "biosignature" currently includes all visitors coming from the five above-mentioned countries, it said, indicating that the registration process is completed through the Saudi Visa Bio smartphone application, by self-registration of vital characteristics from the country of arrival.
Registering biosignature includes face, eye and fingers, and self-photocopying of the passport via the application, it said.
This helps Umrah visa applicants register vital characteristics electronically by the applicants themselves without the need to visit Saudi Arabia's embassies and consulates or visa issuance centers in those countries.
The step aims to facilitate their entry through all Saudi border crossings with less time and effort through eased procedures, according to the statement.
Registering is carried out through some steps: Automated reading of the passport, identifying the type of visa, and taking a photo for the face, and fingerprinting, it stated. (end)
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