http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article583149.ece
27/02/2012
This rule will be too difficult for the NRI's especially whose families are based in India. Renewing a passport or obtaining a fresh passport is a herculean task.
Unable to find this in Indian Embassy website, I checked with Indian Embassy, Riyadh – helpline number - 01-488 4697. I was told that they have not received any circular regarding this and if they receive they will inform.
In Saudi Arabia they started computerized passports somewhere around 2007. That does not mean that they will not accept passports issued prior to 2007. Logically to implement the rule they need to wait for at-least 10 years i.e., 2016-17.
If someone can provide the link of Indian Embassy or any governmental body stating what is mentioned below, it will be helpful.
Mohammed Sadullah Khan.
Mohammed Sadullah Khan.
--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: aftab nizami <aftabnizami@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 5:13 PM
Subject: [Jamiates-Saudia:1704] all Indian passports should be now computerised passport.
Date: Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 5:13 PM
Subject: [Jamiates-Saudia:1704] all Indian passports should be now computerised passport.
Dear brothers I have just confirmed the below mail with Indian embassy & this is 100% correct information , the last date for the acceptance in Saudi Gov. is 24th Nov. 2012 , Please renew your passport as soon as you can regards Aftab Nizami Dear All, Approaching vacation time and rules/practice has changed. This is to inform all of you that all Indian passports should be now computerised passport. No hand written info on 1st and last pages of the passport. Pl. check your family passports and get it changed immediately in order not to be held back in India at the time of return journey and visa getting expired. We have few such cases in Riyadh in my office where the children were not allowed to travel back to Saudi from India due to their passports being non computerised and with hand written 1st and last pages. My own passport issued in 2006 falls under the same category. I am giving it tomorrow for issuing a fresh passport. In India as informed , at the time of immigration , they are not entertaining hand written passports. Further issuance of new passport even under Tatkal for such cases is not being entertained to change the passport, result of this would be expiry of visa. Pl. bring this to the notice of all concerned known to you. Dont forget to check all your family members passports... Best regards, Best regards Syed Aftab Ali Nizami |
