The program, initiated almost three months ago, was created to assist Saudi citizens, especially the elderly, physically challenged and women without means, not able to visit the department to file or renew official papers. Civil Affairs department is the authority for issuing national ID cards.

The signs that the service is being appreciated by citizens across the Kingdom were the high percentage of people being served through this program.

On Friday, Al-Jouf’s Civil Affairs department reported that more than 300 people had benefited from staff visits to their homes, hospital beds and even prison. “More than 300 men and women were able to get their ID picture taken at their own convenience at their homes or in hospitals,” said Al-Jouf Civil Affairs Director Mohammed Al-Manna.

Al-Manna said his department, using precise scheduling, was able to send Civil Affairs mobile units to residents unable to visit the department office to process their papers.

Appreciating the services provided by these mobile units, Shoura member Mazen Fouad Al-Khayatt said: “The government is for the service of the people. This stands true when one observes such services by the Civil Affairs. Such efforts make citizens feel appreciated especially during Ramadan when giving and kind gestures are encouraged.”

Al-Khayatt added: “Such services help people who otherwise cannot visit these social services offices to process their papers. It's particularly true of elderly women.”

Abdul-Razzaq Al-Turki, managing director of Namma Cargo, hoped more such services would be offered to the physically challenged and visually impaired in the Kingdom. "It will make life for these Saudi citizens easier. Similar attempts in neighboring GCC countries, especially in the United Arab Emirates, are proving beneficial to its citizens,” said Al-Turki.

Visiting offices in certain buildings could sometimes be difficult for the elderly and those with physical disabilities, said Al-Turki, adding, more integration of technology is needed in government services to make it easier for those who need the service but cannot come to these offices.

Abdullah Al-Mowallad, a member of the Civil Affairs mobile unit in Jeddah, said his department is there to serve the people. "The mobile national ID service at Jeddah's Civil Affairs department was recently improved with brand new HIIDE cameras. With these new cameras we are now able to go to the applicants to take their photographs and also their finger prints for their national ID card," he said.

Al-Mowallad added that by the end of this year all old Saudi national ID cards will become invalid and will have to be replaced with new ones.