Faiz Kidwai to relocate outsourcing office

The Indian consulate welcomed the community’s request to look into relocating the outsource passport offices near the consulate or provide a small office on the premises of consulate.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the Indian consul general, promised to look into the matter and work out a solution to solve the matter.
“I believe in this that it’s my duty to look after my community and I am glad that they brought this problem in front of me. I will look into the matter and try to solve it, the issue of outsources agency is not very old, but things take little time to settle down,” said Kidwai. “We are trying to get the things on track.”
The Indian consulate shifted from its old location to a new venue as the outsource office were near to the old consulate. But citizens must now shuttle between the two offices.
“In Saudi Arabia outsourcing has affected the Indian community in two ways, financially and time wise. The major section (of the Indian community) with a very low income cannot afford both,” said Azhar Ali Zai an Indian national. “The other section can bear the additional cost but unable to spare time for fulfilling the formalities and in the completion of the jobs in comparison to the previous system where most of the works were finished in a day. It’s very troublesome, time consuming and expensive.”
Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki also said that the present location of the office of the outsourcing center is badly maintained. There should be two offices of the passport services company taking into account because of the vast number of Indians living in Jeddah, he said.
“They should be located at Sharafiyah and Azizyyah district, and timings also should be in two shifts with a weekly holiday other than Friday because 90 percent of the Indian expatriate community are working class. Those who are coming from far off places will have a chance to avail the service on Friday,” he requested.
He also said proper location, guidelines, requirements and fee details for various services should be specified on the consulate website. The time taken for renewals and other passports should be reduced and exemption should be given of personal appearance in the case of newborn babies.
The Consulate General of India also announced all prospective Passport/Consular/Visa service applicants that its outsourcing partner BLS International has rolled out its service centers in Jeddah, Abha/Khamis Mushayat, Yanbu, Jizan and Madinah.
It is envisaged that Tabuk would share its operations with Madinah center (on pre-announced weekdays/venues), while Najran would share its operations with Jizan center (on pre-announced weekdays/venues). All other major urban centers in Bisha, Taif, Al-Baha and Qunfudah would be served by Outsourcing teams from Jeddah center once in a four weeks timeframe.
For any assistance and further information, you may contact Consulate’s Passport Wing on Tel No. 02-6649043 or visit its website at www.cgijeddah.com