Saudi Arabia launches digital entry service for land-border visitors
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior launched "Absher Travel for Visitors" on Monday, October 26, allowing GCC nationals and other visitors to handle entry paperwork through the Absher app before arriving at a land border. The ministry said use of the service will become mandatory six months after launch.
Mariam Al Mansoori
Optional at launch, compulsory in six months
The service is initially optional, according to the Saudi-focused outlet saudilifeguide.com. The six-month transition from its October 26, 2026, launch points to approximately late April 2027, the outlet reported.
At launch, authorities had not specified the exact compulsory-use date or what would happen to visitors who arrived without registering once the requirement took effect, according to saudilifeguide.com. They also had not announced a service fee, the insurance products available or their prices.
Registration and requirements
Travelers can use the app to submit personal and vehicle information, purchase vehicle insurance and meet entry requirements electronically. The ministry said handling these steps ahead of the journey would reduce the paperwork left to complete at the crossing.
Registration begins in the app's "Absher Travel for Visitors" section. Visitors select their nationality and provide a mobile phone number and travel document type, followed by the crossing they plan to use and their expected travel date. They then fill in the remaining traveler, vehicle and insurance details.
The service handles border formalities, not visas, according to saudilifeguide.com. Travelers must still have a valid passport or GCC travel document, the appropriate visa or GCC entry eligibility, and valid vehicle papers. Checks by Jawazat and customs at the border remain unchanged, the outlet reported.
Government partners and an earlier version
The Interior Ministry described the launch as part of its work to make land-border travel easier, simplify entry procedures and broaden digital government services.
Partners in the initiative include the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism; the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA); the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA); the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST); the Insurance Authority; the General Directorate of Passports; and Public Security.
The visitor service extends an approach previously used for citizens and residents. Saudi Gazette reported that the General Directorate of Passports introduced an enhanced "Absher Travel" service for the King Fahd Causeway in March 2024. It allowed travelers to pay bridge fees and verify vehicle insurance before arrival and was developed with SDAIA, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the King Fahd Causeway Authority.
