المملكة: Penalties of up to 100,000 riyals… Procedures for issuing travel documents and dealing with loss

The Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, approved the executive regulations for the Travel documents, in an expanded regulatory step aimed at tightening the procedures for issuing passports and travel documents, and defining mechanisms for dealing with cases of loss or damage, in addition to approving a detailed system of penalties that include financial fines and travel bans, in a way that enhances the protection of official documents and limits their misuse.

Conditions for issuing a passport and updating vital data

The regulations set precise conditions for issuing a passport, as it required the registration of the applicant’s vital characteristics in the civil status system, with the exception of children who cannot Recording their characteristics, in addition to the applicant’s record being free of any Acknowledgment of instructions and pledges, in addition to bringing the previous passport in the event of renewal to cancel it, provided that the new passport is delivered to its owner or his official representative.

Issuance controls for different age groups

The regulations organized the issuance of passports according to age groups, as it stipulated that those between the ages of 18 and 21 years must obtain the approval of one of the parents or his representative, and in the event of their death, the approval must be from one of the 21-year-old Saudi brothers according to Instrument of heirs inventory.

The regulation excluded married couples, those sent to study abroad with proof of that, as well as employees assigned to official duties outside the Kingdom.

As for those under 18 years of age, it was stipulated that they be added to the family registry for those under 10 years old, and that the vital characteristics of those aged 10 years or older must be registered, with the need for the approval of one of the parents or the authorization of one of them to the other, and in the event of their death, the approval must be from one of the brothers. In accordance with the regulatory controls.

It allowed the Saudi custodian or custodian to issue a passport to the child in custody and travel with him, while it stipulated that if the custody was for the non-Saudi mother that there be an explicit text in the custody instrument or a judicial permission permitting this.

Controls for the obligation to carry documents

The regulations confirmed that it is not permissible to enter or leave the Kingdom except through official ports, while obliging those who are forced to enter in compelling circumstances without a travel document to immediately go to the nearest security authority. For reporting.

It stressed the need to keep the passport in a safe place inside the Kingdom and not carry it while moving, and to rely on the national identity as a means of proof, in addition to the ban on traveling to countries to which travel is prohibited by official decisions.

It obligated travelers to ensure the validity of the passport before traveling, so that its duration is not less than 3 months for Arab countries and 6 months for other countries, with the exception of countries that are bound by special agreements.

Procedures for losing a passport

The regulations set procedures Accurately dealing with the loss or damage of the passport, as a replacement document is granted without penalty if it is proven that the loss or damage is beyond the control of its owner and is supported by official evidence.

The regulations obligated reporting the loss of the passport within a period not exceeding a week from the date of knowledge, via the “Absher” platform inside the Kingdom, or through the Passport Departments, or through Saudi representations abroad, with the details of the incident and the records of the competent authorities provided.

It stipulated that investigation procedures be taken and hearing statements. concerned when electronic reporting is not possible, and submitting recommendations to the competent authorities to approve the issuance of a replacement passport, with the start of the penalty calculated from the date of reporting.

Additional obligations for citizens

The regulations stressed the necessity of registering the passports of citizens residing outside the Kingdom with Saudi representations, not using the lost passport after reporting it, and the necessity of handing it over to the Passports Department if it is found to officially cancel it.

It stressed not to hand over the passport to others, tamper with its contents, or add or delete Or modify any data in it, or provide incorrect information to obtain it.

Punishments of fines, negligence, and loss of passport

The regulations specify clear financial penalties for cases of negligence, whereby anyone who neglects the travel document leading to its loss, damage, or theft within the Kingdom shall be punished with a fine not exceeding 2,000 riyals, rising to 3,000 riyals if this occurs outside the Kingdom, with the fine doubled in the event of repetition.

The violator shall also be punished with a travel ban. For a period of up to 6 months if the violation is repeated three times within five years, with the penalty being increased if the periods of negligence are close together, and reduced if the periods of negligence are far apart.

Penalties for traveling to prohibited countries

The regulations stipulate imposing a fine of up to 30 thousand riyals on anyone who travels to countries to which travel is prohibited, with a travel ban for a period of up to two years, and the penalty is doubled in the event of repetition, bringing the period of the ban to 5 years.

The penalty is increased if the country is a conflict zone or among the banned countries for emergency reasons, while it is reduced in special cases such as the presence of first-degree family ties or transit transit for a period not exceeding 48 hours, or if the violator is 60 years of age or older.

Penalties for tampering with information and documents and misuse

The regulations imposed a fine not exceeding 5 thousand riyals on those who provide incorrect information in passport issuance applications, with the fine doubled and a travel ban upon repetition.

It stipulates that anyone who intentionally amends, adds or deletes data in the passport, or tampers with a personal photo, will be referred to the Public Prosecution after completing the regulatory procedures.
The regulations stressed that misuse of the passport is one of the most serious violations, as anyone who enables others to use his passport or sells or mortgages it shall be punished with a fine of up to 100 thousand riyals and a ban on travel for a period of up to 5 years, with the penalty doubled in the event of repetition.

Also. The same penalty applies to anyone who uses a passport that does not belong to him, or attempts to use it, or assists in doing so.

Penalties for irregular entry and exit

The regulations stipulate the imposition of a fine of up to 100,000 riyals and a travel ban for a period of up to 5 years on anyone who enters or leaves the Kingdom through non-official ports without an acceptable excuse, with the penalty doubled in the event of recidivism.

Regulation for Non-Saudis

The regulation specifies the categories that may Granting them transit tickets, including those who claim Saudi nationality without proving it, or those who lose their passport outside the Kingdom, or those whose passport has expired, or Saudis born outside the Kingdom, or some cases of expatriates, provided that the validity of the ticket does not exceed six months.

It authorized the issuance of a passport to non-Saudis by decision of the Minister of Interior, provided that this is to facilitate travel only without granting him the rights of a citizen, with the requirement that his status be regular, restrict the use of the passport for the purpose of travel only, and determine its validity period according to The decision.

The regulations confirmed that the passport granted to non-Saudis shall be withdrawn after the expiry of its term or by an official decision, with the associated record being suspended.

A system that enhances the security of travel documents

The new executive regulations reflect a clear trend towards tightening control over travel documents, through careful regulation of procedures, and the imposition of deterrent penalties, which contributes to protecting passports from loss or tampering, enhances the security of movement, and consolidates adherence to regulations within The Kingdom and abroad.

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