Absher Travel Service Explained: Steps to Register Trips and Pay Fees for Land Border Crossings
As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts towards digital transformation and streamlining government procedures for citizens and residents, the "Absher Travel" service is one of the most prominent e-services launched by the Ministry of Interior through the "Absher" platform. This service aims to regulate and facilitate travel through land border crossings, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030 in improving quality of life and enhancing the efficiency of digital services.
What is the Absher Travel service?
The “Absher Travel” service represents a significant leap forward in the land travel experience, allowing travelers to complete most travel procedures before arriving at the border crossing. The service primarily aims to reduce congestion and save time and effort by enabling users to book appointments in advance and verify the legal and security compliance of their vehicles and passengers before embarking on their journey.
Steps to register a trip via Absher Travel
To benefit from the service and ensure a smooth journey through land border crossings (such as the King Fahd Causeway), the following steps can be followed via the “Absher” application:
- Log in to the “Absher” application on your smartphone.
- Go to the “My Services” menu and then select “Other Services”.
- Select the “Absher Travel” service.
- Click on the “Create a trip” option.
- Specify the land port of entry you wish to travel through, and the expected date and time of the trip.
- Add a list of accompanying travelers (whether they are dependents, sponsored individuals, or others).
- Choosing the vehicle that will be used for travel.
- Complete the steps for paying the bridge fees and insuring the vehicle electronically (if applicable).
- Confirm the order and receive a notification of successful flight registration.
Features and added services
The service is not limited to simply booking an appointment, but includes a package of benefits that ensure the safety and legality of the trip:
- Eligibility verification: The system automatically verifies the validity of travel documents (passports or national ID), driver's licenses, and vehicle registration, thus preventing travelers from being surprised by being barred from travel upon arrival at the port of entry due to expired documents.
- Toll payment: The service allows you to pay bridge crossing tolls (such as King Fahd Causeway) and insure your vehicle in advance, reducing cash transactions and waiting at toll gates.
- Companion Management: Easily add and manage the data of all companions on the trip to ensure their smooth passage.
The importance of the service and its impact
This service is particularly important during holiday seasons and festivals, which witness a surge in overland travel between the Kingdom and the GCC countries. Through advance planning, “Absher Travel” helps alleviate pressure on passport and customs officials, expedites vehicle flow, and enhances the tourism and economic experience, supporting the smooth flow of trade and tourism in the region.
