RIYADH: Citizens and expat workers are upbeat about the electronic services introduced recently for government-related transactions such as issuance or renewal of the new five-year iqama (residence card), work permits, driving licenses and exit and re-entry visas for them or their dependents.

Adel Hanafi, vice president of the Union of Egyptian Workers, said the new facilities have tremendously minimized paper work and saved time as it is no more required to go to the passports department.

He appreciated the efforts of the Saudi government to support the residents and make their lives more easy.

Mahmoud Talaat, an IT manager, said the new-five year iqama is more useful for him as he suffers from stopping his bank account until the renewal of the iqama).

A female school teacher said she was hoping that the new iqama would give her and her family a free pass to travel to all GCC countries without having to take exit visa, which, she said, used be irritating if someone wanted to go on short vacation.

Nagwa Mousa, a quality control consultant, also hailed the five-year iqama rule because she won’t have to renew it every year now. She also expects the new iqama will allow her to visit Gulf countries on a short vacation without having to obtain an exit visa.

A foreign journalist appreciated the pace of e-service development in the Kingdom. “Saudi Arabia has outperformed developed countries in the field of e-services.”