The Interior Ministry has launched a new upgraded version of the Absher system for smartphones, which includes various services for the issue of identity cards, passports and visas for expatriate workers.

This follows directives issued by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and interior minister, according to a report published in a local publication on Monday.

Tariq Al-Shiddi, director general of the National Information Center, said work was progressing well, which would include adding the final touches to the application later this month.

“The application will be a valuable addition to the Absher electronic portal. The first version of the application includes 20 interactive services, part of which can be viewed by anyone, and the other part only by those who have registered,” said Al-Shiddi.

He said the launch for all types of operating systems was done successfully last week. “The upgrade involved several new services, which includes activating delivery by Saudi Post, and for users to have an overview of all their data,” he said.

He said the main objective of the system is to boost the level of services provided. There are now 6 million people registered on the system.

According to previous reports, there were 8 million exit/re-entry visas issued through the Absher website at the end of last year, 679,239 final exits visas, over 1.1 million muqeem cards and 513,075 iqamas renewed.

There were over 1.2 million travel permits issued, 544,151 service transfers, 265,074 amendments to professions, 187,907 passports, and 1.3 million visit visa extensions. There were also over 350,000 services provided through Saudi Post.

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