Life is expected to become a lot easier for citizens and expatriates with the introduction of new electronic self-service machines, which will provide Ministry of Interior services at the touch of a few buttons. The National Information Center (NIC) machines will allow access to personal and other data held by the passport and civil status departments. The machines will provide a number of services. “Users will be able to get exit, reentry and exit-only visas for expatriates they sponsor, the booking of an electronic appointment for the Civil Status Department, and access to all the information concerning them or their dependents on their family identity cards.” It will also allow users to determine the status of their passports, display the details of workers under a citizen's sponsorship and provides vehicle registration and driving license details. The machines are available at Riyadh Passports Department, Al-Washm Civil Status Department, Civil Status Agency in Al-Murooj District in Riyadh, Jeddah Passports Department and Jeddah Civil Status Department, including its Al-Andalus branch. “We are working with the Directorate General for Passports and the Civil Status Agency to install the machines across the Kingdom, including in malls.” The machines will allow citizens and expatriates to register on the Ministry of Interior's website: www.moi.gov.sa. “Users will be able to activate their accounts by verifying their biometrics with their palm print and electronic picture of their face, without the need to visit the ministry's offices to confirm their accounts.” “The process is very straightforward. The user selects his language, enters his national identity card number, or Iqama number for expatriates, by first having the fingerprints taken of their right and left index fingers.” “Then the facial profile of the person registering is verified by the camera installed in the machine. After all conditions for registration are met, the user enters his mobile number to receive his confirmation code. After he enters his code a message on the screen will signal that the registration has been successful. A username and password is then sent to the registered mobile telephone.” To activate the account, the user visits the website of the Ministry of Interior and registers using the data sent to his mobile telephone. A number of specialists from the NIC, Directorate General of Passports and Civil Status Agency will visit government authorities to expand this e-service. He said the system has already been tested. “The system was implemented for over 670 employees at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in the presence of Dr. Muhammad Al
