RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior allowed residents of all nationalities to register for "Awdah" (return) initiative, if they wish to go back to their home countries, the ministry said in a statement late Tuesday. "The Ministry of Interior allows, exceptionally, all nationalities to register in ‘Awdah' initiative launched recently, for residents holding visas (exit and return, final exit, visit of all kinds, tourism) to travel by air to their countries, by submitting return requests electronically via ‘Absher' platform," the ministry said on Twitter. Earlier in the day, the Saudi Press Agency reported that the "Awdah" initiative launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has been streamlined and all applications are processed through a unified system on "Absher" platform. The registration for the initiative is open to all nationalities and the applicant does not necessarily need to have an "Absher" account. The initiative is aimed at facilitating residents holding exit/reentry and exit only visas as well as visit visas of all kinds, and tourist visas to return by air to their countries on an exceptional basis. All those who want to make the most of the initiative, they need to fill and submit their applications online via Absher platform. This initiative is being carried out in cooperation with several relevant government authorities. The applications will be received and approved in coordination with the competent authorities so as to complete travel procedures for departure on board international flights following approval by the respective countries to receive their citizens. The beneficiary will receive an SMS giving the flight date and time, ticket number, and booking details. Accordingly, the beneficiary will secure his travel ticket and complete travel procedures. Expatriates can benefit from this initiative by logging onto "Absher" platform for e-services, select the "Awdah" (return) icon and fill the following fields: Iqama number, date of birth, mobile telephone number, city of departure, and airport of arrival.
