RIYADH — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to set up visa service centers to carry out biometrics identification procedures before issuing visas to visitors and pilgrims to the Kingdom. The ministry has already signed contracts with specialized international companies to establish the centers in various countries, said Prince Khaled Bin Saud Bin Khaled, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs. He said that the first such center will be opened on experimental basis in the United Arab Emirates by the end of this month. Speaking to Saudi Press Agency, Prince Khaled said after the establishment of these centers no entry visas will be issued for those who failed to complete biometrics identification procedures. The Council of Ministers in November decided that visitors to the Kingdom would be required to be fingerprinted at the time of applying for a visa. The Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through competent offices accredited by the Kingdom's missions abroad, to take necessary measures to obtain the biometrics of visa applicants, including Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Accordingly, the ministry concluded contracts with international companies to undertake biometrics identification procedures in the respective countries. Holders of diplomatic and special passports have been exempted from the decision. Prince Khaled said that initially the centers will be opened on experimental basis in UAE, South Korea and Germany. He said that the centers are aimed at preventing criminals and those banned from entering the Kingdom from obtaining visas. “This will help prevent those who were deported or banned earlier from re-entering the Kingdom. Any attempts to obtain visa after furnishing false information will also be foiled,” the minister added. — SG
