Passport office hours during Eid al-Adha for emergency cases
The General Directorate of Passports in Saudi Arabia announced the working hours of its departments and branches across the Kingdom during the Eid al-Adha holiday. This strategic step comes as part of the Ministry of Interior's commitment to providing the best possible services to beneficiaries, particularly to expedite procedures for urgent cases that cannot be postponed until after the official holiday. The Passports Directorate confirmed its full readiness to receive visitors and complete services that cannot be accessed through the Ministry of Interior's electronic platform, "Absher," emphasizing the necessity of booking an appointment online in advance before visiting the department offices.
General context and vital role of the General Directorate of Passports
Historically, the General Directorate of Passports has played a pivotal role in regulating travel and residency within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With the Eid al-Adha holiday coinciding with the Hajj season, government efforts are intensified to ensure smooth operations and provide logistical and administrative support to citizens, residents, and pilgrims. Continuing operations during official holidays is not a new practice for the Kingdom's security and service sectors; rather, it is an extension of a well-established approach aimed at meeting the needs of society around the clock, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance the quality of government services and facilitate the lives of individuals.
Details of working hours in Riyadh, Jeddah and other regions
To facilitate access to services for beneficiaries, the Passports Department has set specific times that suit the nature of each region, including the following:
- Riyadh City: The Directorate explained that the Passports Department in Al-Rimal neighborhood will open its doors for work daily from 3:00 pm until 10:00 pm, throughout the Eid Al-Adha holiday.
- Jeddah Governorate: The passport offices at Al-Serafi Mall and Al-Tahlia Center will be open to the public from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. These branches will be operational from Friday, December 5, 1447 AH (corresponding to December 5, 2026) until the end of the workday on Monday, December 8, 1447 AH (corresponding to December 8, 2026).
- The rest of the Kingdom’s regions: The Passports Department indicated that the passport offices in the other regions will continue their usual work during the holiday period from Sunday to Thursday, during the morning period which begins at 7:30 am and continues until 2:30 pm.
The importance and expected impact of continued work
The decision to keep passport offices open during the Eid holiday is of paramount importance on several levels. Domestically, it provides reassurance to citizens and residents who may face exceptional circumstances requiring the renewal of their travel documents or the issuance of urgent permits. Regionally and internationally, this measure reflects the Kingdom's institutional development and its ability to manage crises and emergencies with high efficiency, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's position as a leading nation in providing advanced government services that continue uninterrupted under any circumstances.
Take advantage of the “Tawasul” electronic service
In line with its digital transformation strategy, the General Directorate of Passports has urged all beneficiaries to make the most of the "Tawasul" e-service available through the Absher platform. This innovative service allows users to submit requests for transactions that cannot be processed electronically. A specialized team reviews and processes these requests without requiring a personal visit to passport offices. This approach saves time and effort, reduces congestion at branches, and ensures a fast and secure service that meets everyone's expectations during the holiday period.
