Passport Renewal via Absher: Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Correction (November 2026): An earlier version of this guide mixed up two different services. Absher’s “Renew Saudi Passport” service is only for Saudi citizens. Expats cannot renew their own country’s passport on Absher: you renew it with your own embassy (Indians in Saudi Arabia apply through the Embassy of India, Riyadh or the Consulate in Jeddah via VFS), and then the new passport has to be updated on your iqama record. The pitfalls below have been rewritten to cover both cases.

Renewing a passport and getting it recognised in Saudi systems seems straightforward, but people keep running into the same avoidable problems. Here is what goes wrong and how to avoid it.

Background: A July 2026 thread by @Toota2ez with replies from @CareAljawazat (Jawazat customer care) collected common complaints (Thread). The rules below are taken from Absher, the Jawazat directorate and the Indian Embassy.

Pitfall 1: Looking for “passport renewal” on Absher as an expat

The mistake: Expats search Absher for a way to renew their foreign passport.

The reality:

• Expats (including Indians): renew your passport at your embassy or consulate. For Indians, the Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah run passport services through VFS; you apply in person with a valid iqama.
• After renewal: your employer (sponsor) updates the new passport on your iqama through Absher’s Update Passport Information service (My Services → Passports → Resident Identity Services). Since April 2025 this costs SAR 69 including VAT and avoids a Jawazat visit. You cannot do it from your own Absher account as a worker.
• Saudi citizens: renew through Absher → My Services → Passports → Renew Saudi Passport. The fee is SAR 300 for 5 years or SAR 600 for 10 years (10 years only if aged 21+), and the passport can be delivered to your address. Saudis abroad renew through a Saudi embassy or consulate (MOFA e-service).

Pitfall 2: The online passport update is blocked

The mistake: Assuming the employer can always update the new passport online.

Absher’s conditions for the online update:

• The resident must be inside the Kingdom
• The old passport must have one year or less of validity left
• It can be used once every five years per person
• No “absent from work” (huroob) report on the worker
• No unpaid traffic violations on the iqama record
• Not available if the old passport was lost

How to fix: clear any traffic fines first. If the online service is not available in your case, the passport has to be updated through Jawazat (book an appointment on Absher, or contact Jawazat through the Absher Tawasul service).

Pitfall 3: Missing documents at the embassy or Jawazat

The mistake: Showing up without everything needed.

What to keep ready:

• Current passport (original)
• Valid iqama (original)
• Passport photos meeting the embassy’s specification
• Previous passport (if available)
• Any name-change documents (if applicable)

Check the exact list on your embassy’s or VFS’s website before your appointment.

Pitfall 4: Outstanding fines blocking the update

The mistake: Not clearing government dues before the passport update.

What can block it:

• Traffic fines on the iqama record (check via Absher or the Muroor service) — this blocks the online passport update
• Expired iqama — renew the iqama first
• Unpaid dependent fees (if applicable)

Tip: Clear everything through SNB Neo (referral link) before your appointment.

Pitfall 5: Fingerprints not registered

The mistake: Forgetting that fingerprints must be enrolled for Jawazat services.

What to do:

• Check that your fingerprints are enrolled with the Ministry of Interior (Absher has a fingerprint enrollment query service)
• If they are not, visit a Jawazat office to register them
• Saudi citizens renewing on Absher must also have fingerprints enrolled

Pitfall 6: Not checking passport expiry date

The mistake: Applying for renewal too late.

Rules (Jawazat):

• 3 months validity required for travel to Arab countries
• 6 months validity required for travel to other countries
• Apply at least 2-3 months before expiry to avoid issues — the online iqama update only opens when the old passport has a year or less left

Quick checklist

• Expats: passport renewed at your embassy (Indians: VFS for the Embassy in Riyadh / Consulate in Jeddah)
• You are inside Saudi Arabia when the passport is updated on your iqama
• Traffic fines cleared and iqama valid
• Fingerprints enrolled
• All documents ready (passport, iqama, photos)
• Employer has updated the new passport in Absher (SAR 69)
• No pending labour complaints or huroob status

Related guides

• Passport Validity Rules: 3 Months vs 6 Months
• Lost Passport Abroad — Emergency Guide
• Check Huroob Status
• Absher Complete Guide
• Check Muroor Traffic Fine

References

1. @Toota2ez + @CareAljawazat — Passport renewal pitfalls thread — Twitter (July 2026)
2. Absher — Renewing the Saudi passport and Update Passport Information services — absher.sa
3. Saudi Gazette — Expatriates’ passport information can be updated through Absher for SR69 (April 2025) — saudigazette.com.sa
4. Embassy of India, Riyadh — Passport Services — eoiriyadh.gov.in
5. Saudi General Directorate of Passports — gdp.gov.sa

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Passport rules may change. Always verify with Jawazat or your embassy before your appointment.