Saudi Arabia will be one of the countries in the world that allow biometric registration to be recorded directly by the smartphones of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims for the issuance of e-visa.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan launched a smartphone application that enabled the self-registration of Hajj and Umrah and Pilgrims on Wednesday.
This application allows pilgrims to submit their biometrics for the pilgrimage e-visa directly from their smartphone without even having to visit the visa center in person.
According to a report, the biometric matching process of pilgrims’ biometrics will be carried out upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, although details on and which forms of biometrics are taken are not yet clear.
Names and further details of the applicants are expected to be announced soon.
This application is expected to offer the best experience, making it easier for the pilgrims to perform the Hajj and Umrah.
The Saudi Company will manage the biometric self-registration process in the bespoke smartphone app for Visa and Travel Solutions.
The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia simultaneously announced that the possibility of pilgrims who can perform Umrah and pray at the Grand Mosque and Mecca is only for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Siasat Daily reported that the visitors need to use the Tawakkalna app to show their immune health status starting from October 10.
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is indeed actively advancing and utilizing advanced technology to facilitate the worship of visitors and pilgrims for Hajj and Umrah. At the same time, continue following the COVID-19 prevention and spread measures.
Earlier in 2018, Saudi Arabia had already added biometric irises to its visa and border control processes.
The UK launched its self-registration of selfie biometrics earlier this year for Hong Kongers who wish to apply for the British National (Overseas) visa.
