New passport format may pose hurdles for Indians in Saudi

After the Indian government announced its decision to scrap the last page of the country's passport, Indian expatriates living in Saudi Arabia have caused concern. The last page in the passport is crucial as it contains the holder's address and details of his/her parents and spouse. If the page is done away with, it is likely to hamper the visa process for expats' parents, spouse and children as well as cause delay in flying bodies of deceased expats. Moreover, important information about residential address and personal details on the passport is significant in a country which is home to people from all over the world. Until now in case of death of an Indian worker in the Kingdom, his/her family is contacted with the help of the details mentioned in the passport. Besides, employees and community workers can get in touch with a sick worker with ease. But, if the new rule is put in place, it will wipe out all details required to contact the workers' families, making it difficult to trace links in their home countries. This will also bring obstacles in case of paying compensation to Indian workers' parents. The expats will have to visit Indian missions in Riyadh or Jeddah to seek help in such cases, according to Saudi Gazette. Citing an example, social worker from Qassim region Noushad Pothincode said, "If an Indian worker slips into a coma and if there are no details of his family in his passport then it is difficult to repatriate him." At present, Indian passport is the only official document for expats which displays their home country address and other documents like Aadhar card and voter's ID card are not valid. "A three-member committee comprising the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development was constituted to examine various issues pertaining to passport applications where mother/child had insisted that the name of the father not be mentioned in the passport, and also relating to passports issued to children with a single parent and to adopted children," MEA announced, adding that the report had been accepted by the ministry. Existing passports remain valid till the date of expiry printed on them, according to the ministry. Source: Khaleej Times