Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Many Saudis are upset over persistent delays in issuing iqamas to their workers by the passport offices all over the Kingdom.
The Passport Department claims that it is intensifying efforts to provide all necessary services to facilitate procedures for expatriates to correct their residency status within the amnesty period, which is set to end on Nov. 3. In Ahsa, the Passport Department's "Absher" online system has facilitated many procedures and resulted in fewer people lining up in front of the passport offices. The "Absher" system can be utilized for sponsorship transfers, exit-reentry visas, iqamas renewals and several other services. However, the system cannot issue iqama cards and people still have to visit the passport offices for obtaining them. Saudis complain of the delays in issuing the iqama cards, which they claim takes several days. Saleh Al-Athbah, a Saudi, said while Absher has facilitated many procedures and reduced waiting time in queues, the problem persists when it comes to issuing iqama cards for workers. Printing the iqama cards takes a few days and citizens have to wait again in lines for receiving them. The delay is caused by a shortage of iqama cards and staff in passport offices. Mohammad Abdullah, a Saudi, said one month ago, he renewed the iqamas of his workers, but he is still waiting for their Iqama cards. In Yanbu, Abu Alaa'a, who works as a government expediter, said the passport offices are in need of additional employees, especially in iqama renewal sections. He said there are only three employees in the section at the Yanbu passport office, while companies in the city employ thousands of expatriates who are in constant need for their services. Abdullah Al-Refa'ei said the Yanbu passport office has only five or six employees who have to deal with the huge work volume. In Bisha, a number of citizens and expatriates voiced their concern that the grace period may end before they can correct their residency status. In Hail, the passport office managed to process hundreds of expatriates' cases and transfer their sponsorships in a few days. Spokesman of the Hail Passport Department, Capt. Majed Al-Obaid, said all employees work hard to correct the residency status of expatriates within the stipulated time. He said statistics are being submitted to the General Directorate of Passports on a weekly basis.
