JEDDAH, 14 November 2003 — The Passports Department announced on Wednesday that the much talked-about electronic iqama cards for expatriates will be issued on Nov. 25 or the beginning of next Hijrah month.
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Sajeeni, the director general of the department, also said authorities would also start fingerprinting foreign pilgrims coming to the Kingdom on the same day.
The new iqamas will be introduced in the Riyadh region first before being introduced across the country in several phases from the start of next fiscal year, Okaz reported quoting Sajeeni.
He said the new system would help eradicate forgery and the problem of overstaying pilgrims. The department has already distributed equipment for issuing the new iqamas to its offices in various regions.
According to Passports Department sources, expatriate workers in all parts of the Kingdom will receive the new cards when they approach the department either for new iqamas or for renewal of existing ones.
The card will carry all personal information about the holder including his name, photo, job and thumbprint, the sources said.
