Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports is leading frontline operations to receive visitors and Umrah performers from around the world during the holy month of Ramadan, serving as the first point of contact in their journeys.
Backed by an integrated operational system combining trained personnel and advanced technology, the directorate is working to ensure smooth transit through international entry points, reflecting the level of institutional transformation underway across the Kingdom’s service and security sectors.
The use of technology and intensive training has helped reduce processing times.
With an expected rise in the number of Umrah performers during the holy month, the Passports Directorate has intensified operational readiness at air, land and sea ports under a plan aimed at cutting processing times, improving service quality and enhancing the pilgrim experience from arrival to departure.
Major Nasser Al-Otaibi, official spokesperson for the General Directorate of Passports, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the directorate is focused on facilitating entry and exit procedures for Umrah performers across all international ports through comprehensive operational plans.
These include deploying trained personnel, providing the latest technical equipment and using advanced electronic systems to speed up travel procedures, with the goal of completing processes smoothly and reducing congestion and waiting times.
Al-Otaibi said the directorate has deployed the latest technologies and smart systems as part of its operational plan for the season, contributing to faster entry and exit procedures and ensuring smooth movement at all ports.
Modern technologies enable travelers to complete procedures independently in record time.
He added that these technologies and systems help shorten processing times and raise service quality. The integrated technical system aims to achieve the highest levels of operational efficiency and enhance the experience of pilgrims, reflecting the development of passport services.
On coordination with other entities, Al-Otaibi said integration between the General Directorate of Passports and other security and service bodies is a key element in improving field performance, especially during high-density seasons such as Ramadan.
He said the directorate operates within an integrated security and service system that includes relevant security and other authorities.
This integration relies on direct technical linkage, facilitating rapid verification of information, accuracy of procedures and timely decision-making.
Advance coordination also helps unify operational plans, distribute human resources and manage passenger flows inside travel halls to ensure smooth movement and reduce waiting times without compromising security.
Al-Otaibi said the joint work reflects the concept of a “single system,” with roles integrated across sectors to achieve a unified goal of efficiently serving pilgrims while enhancing the security and safety of entry points.
On training and reducing processing times, the spokesperson said continuous qualification and training plans for passport personnel have had a direct and tangible impact on the quality of service provided to Umrah performers, particularly during peak periods that require high readiness and swift performance.
He stressed that the directorate is implementing specialized training programs covering regulatory and technical aspects, as well as skills in dealing with a multilingual and multicultural public, in addition to crowd management and working under pressure.
This training enhances personnel’s ability to complete procedures accurately and quickly while maintaining a humane approach in dealing with pilgrims.
Al-Otaibi said the training has yielded measurable results, including shorter processing times, higher pilgrim satisfaction and an effective balance between speed and security requirements, reflecting the professionalism of national cadres serving pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing a large influx of Umrah performers from abroad, which typically peaks in the final days of Ramadan, along with domestic pilgrims. The current season is expected to record higher numbers compared with the same period in previous seasons, particularly given the strong figures announced in the first days of the month.
On Saturday, 4 Ramadan, the Grand Mosque recorded the highest number of Umrah performers since the start of the month at around 904,000.
Previously, Saudi Arabia announced that the number of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during Ramadan 2025 reached about 122,286,712 Umrah performers and worshippers.
Of those, more than 16 million were Umrah performers, compared with 75,573,928 worshippers at the Grand Mosque and 30,154,543 worshippers at the Prophet’s Mosque, all of whom were provided services from arrival until departure.
