Documents & Embassy — Indian Expat Guide for Saudi Arabia

Managing Indian documents while living in Saudi Arabia is a common challenge. From passport renewal to apostille procedures, MOFA attestation, and getting birth certificates for newborns, this guide covers everything an Indian expat needs.

Table of Contents

• Indian Passport Renewal
• Passport Status Check
• Newborn Baby Passport
• Birth Certificate in Saudi
• Documents Apostille
• Saudi Apostille Procedure
• MOFA Attestation
• PAN-Aadhaar Linking for Expats

Indian Passport Renewal

Indian passport services in Saudi Arabia are administered by the Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, each for its own consular jurisdiction, but applications are submitted at VFS Global’s Indian Passport and Visa Application Centres, not at the Embassy itself. Since 24 October 2025 applications use Global Passport Seva Version 2.0.

Steps:

1. Register and fill the online form on the Global Passport Seva portal (mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp)
2. Print the filled application
3. Gather required documents (old passport, Iqama copy, ICAO-compliant photos, etc.)
4. Submit in person at the VFS Global centre for your region
5. Pay the passport fee plus the SAR 8 ICWF contribution and VFS service fee, and keep the receipt
6. Track status online and collect the passport from VFS

📖 Full guides:

• How to Book Indian Passport Renewal Appointment in KSA
• Indian Passport Renewal — Correct Names and Add Spouse Details

Passport Status Check

After submitting your passport renewal application, you can track its status online.

📖 Full guide: Indian Passport Status Check Online

Newborn Baby Passport

If your baby is born in Saudi Arabia, you’ll need to get them an Indian passport through the embassy. The process involves birth certificate, attestation, and passport application.

📖 Full guide: How to Get Newborn Baby Passport in Saudi Arabia

Birth Certificate in Saudi

Getting a birth certificate for your newborn in Saudi Arabia is a separate process from the Indian passport. The Saudi birth certificate is required for many official purposes.

📖 Full guide: How to Get a Birth Certificate in Saudi

Documents Apostille

India and Saudi Arabia are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention (in force for Saudi Arabia since 7 December 2022), so Indian public documents for use in Saudi Arabia generally need an apostille from India’s Ministry of External Affairs instead of the older chain of embassy legalisation. Some receiving offices may still ask for extra steps — check with them first.

📖 Full guide: Indian Documents Apostille Procedure

Saudi Apostille Procedure

Similarly, Saudi public documents for use in India or other Apostille member countries are apostilled by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

📖 Full guide: Saudi Apostille Procedure — Authenticate Your Saudi Documents

MOFA Attestation

Some documents and destinations still go through MOFA’s document attestation (legalisation) service — for example, documents for or from countries that are not Apostille members. Check which route your receiving authority needs before booking.

📖 Full guide: MOFA Appointment for Document Attestation

PAN-Aadhaar Linking for Expats

PAN-Aadhaar linking is not compulsory for individuals who are non-residents under the Income-tax Act (per the Income Tax Department’s FAQ), so many NRIs in Saudi Arabia are exempt — but check your residential status for the tax year. If you hold Aadhaar and are not exempt, the linking can be done online on the e-filing portal.

📖 Full guide: How to Link PAN Card with Aadhaar Card for Indian Expats

🔗 Related Guides

• Iqama & Residency — Complete Guide
• Family Visit Visa — Complete Guide
• Healthcare — Indian Expat Guide
• Absher & Digital Services Guide

Last updated: 12 November 2026. Embassy services and document requirements change — always verify with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh (eoiriyadh.gov.in) or the Consulate in Jeddah.