In a wide-ranging interview with Arab News, Maj. Gen. Khalafallah Al-Tuwaireqi, director general of the department in Makkah, said that all the biometric details of foreigners are recorded when they arrive.

This includes pilgrims, with special arrangements to take their details at their hotels, Al-Tuwaireqi said. The department has several branches in Jeddah including at the airport, Jeddah Islamic Port, and other places.

“We have doubled our staff and preparations at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, especially from 4 p.m. to midnight because the vacation season is around the corner, coinciding with the peak of the Umrah season,” he said.

He said the introduction of women passport officers at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah led to the extension of this service to all women in the city.

“We launched the separate service for women almost a year ago with counters staffed by women officers strictly adhering to Shariah regulations. Women officers are well disciplined and we have not received any complaint of poor performance, ill-treatment or security issues. It is also because we trained them well,” Al-Tuwaireqi said.

He also revealed that the department plans to open a new unit run and staffed exclusively by women who have received training in various types of passport procedures. There are already women’s offices operating in Abraq Al-Reghama, Rehab, Kandara and the Red Sea Mall, he said.

Regarding overcrowding at passport offices in Jeddah, Al-Tuwaireqi said more have now been opened across the city. “We have opened eight branches in different locations working in morning and evening shifts in Jeddah. They also cater to the needs of housemaids, drivers and laborers until 11 p.m.,” he said.

The Absher system, the online service, has helped reduce crowding at front offices by 70 percent. To help those who are not aware of the service, computers with Internet connectivity, and officers to assist, have been set up at the department’s office in Al-Rehal, he said.

Al-Tuwaireqi said that the passport office at the Shumaisi center works around the clock to correct the status of Yemenis. The center has air-conditioned lounges set aside for them. They are also supplied meals, water and juices.

“Because of the large numbers, we have allocated three days for families and children and the rest for individuals. The work is undertaken around the clock even during Ramadan and will continue until all cases are processed,” he said.

Al-Tuwaireqi said the department was also continuing with measures to ensure all workers have proper documentation to stay in the country. There was also a concerted effort to develop a comprehensive database of the biometric details of all citizens and expatriate workers, to aid in crime fighting.

On the tendency of housemaids to abscond during the month of Ramadan, Al-Tuwaireqi said the department has been working with the police to track down and arrest those involved. His office receives between 20 and 30 complaints about runaway maids and drivers daily, he said.

He said there is cooperation with the governments of other countries when workers are deported. “There is close coordination between the expatriates’ administration and the Saudi Foreign Ministry and we have never had any problem.”

He said citizens are aware of the services provided for them including renewing or obtaining new passports. “As for citizens who need services related to their workers or servants, we have set up several offices across Jeddah, with plans for more in the north and south after Ramadan.”

He urged citizens and expatriates to report violations. “This guarantees stability and security. If a worker has a dispute with his sponsor, he should approach the department to deal with the issue. However, no move should be made without proof of identity, whether the person is a citizen or expatriate, to avoid legal problems,” he said.