Expats hail online family visa system

Expatriate workers from different countries have wholeheartedly welcomed the launch of the Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) new service which enables them to process visas online for their spouses and dependent children to bring them to the second home, Saudi Arabia. Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, launched the electronic service on Tuesday for issuing family visas. Reacting to the news on Wednesday, foreign nationals were delighted over the decision saying that it will save them time and ensure hassle-free service. Hasan Abdul Salam, an Egyptian national, who works as a senior purchasing executive, was excited to know. “This is great news and will bring joy among all expatriates as it involves hassle-free service with the user-friendly procedure.” Naveed Cheema, a Pakistani national who works as a marketing executive, said: “I saw the report published in Arab News today. Indeed it is a good piece of news, a long awaited one. Now, one can seek approval online by applying for family visa electronically.” Mojib Siddiqui, an Indian working with a media house as advertisement section head, described it as a time-saving service to help foreign workers. “When the MoI recently allowed the online appointment system for visit visas, I thought the online family visa system too is in the pipeline. I’m excited that it has now been launched,” he added. Dr. H.M. Rafeek, a Sri Lankan national working in Jeddah, described it as a significant move saying the new announcement is indeed a good move as now the procedure will be more user-friendly as the applicant can apply online instead of going in person to the passport department or the ministry of foreign affairs and queue up. Eddie Relox, a Filipino national who works as a graphic designer, was also happy and expressed hope that it will help ensure hassle-free service by curbing bribery and eliminating agents charging hefty amounts for family visa service. Bushara Mohammad from Sudan, who works with Al Tayyar Travel also hailed the new online service saying an expatriate who plans to invite his wife or children now will not need to visit the headquarters of the ministry and can apply online. Mohammad Nisar, a Bangladeshi national who works in Dammam, was happy with the new development saying it will not only help expatriates but also the MoI as it will reduce the ministry’s workload. Notably, the launch of the new service comes as part of the directives of the minister of interior to enforce e-services in the ministry to make it easy for citizens and expatriates to get rid of routine work that amounts to wasting time. -arabnews