New Saudi process reduces time of entry procedures for Malaysian pilgrims

The National Information Center of the Saudi Ministry of Interior reduced the period of time for the entry of Malaysian pilgrims to the Kingdom by 85 percent, in an advanced technical step that will benefit 900 pilgrims this year.

12 mobile equipped stations were set to run around the clock, providing technical support services to register Malaysian pilgrims' data, passports and photos which in turn reduced the waiting time for pilgrims at Saudi air ports from 3 hours to less than 20 minutes.

The process reduces crowding at the gateways during Hajj season and provides the best services to pilgrims from other countries.
This initiative has achieved positive results encouraging its continuation during the Hajj seasons in coming years.

The mobile stations for the registration of passengers contain fingerprint scanners and cameras to capture facial images as well as visa readers to check in pilgrims automatically.

Malaysian Deputy Minister of Transport Abdul Aziz Kaprawi expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Saudi government for letting Malaysian citizens be the first to experience the new registration services at Kuala Lumpur Airport.

He said that everyone is grateful for these services, which he hopes would continue during the Hajj and Umrah seasons and throughout the year.

source: Alarabiya