How to Create and Activate an Absher Account in Saudi Arabia 2026 (Complete Guide)

Quick Answer

To create an Absher account: Go to absher.sa, click Individuals, then New User Registration. Enter your Iqama number, mobile number, email, and create a password. Submit and enter the OTP sent to your phone. Account is created.

To activate it (required before you can use services): Use one of four methods: Nafath app (fastest, no travel), Absher self-service kiosk (fingerprint), bank app such as Al Rajhi, or visit a Jawazat branch.

Registration and activation are two separate steps. Many people complete registration but stop there, then wonder why services are not working. Both steps must be completed.

What Is Absher and Why Do You Need It

Absher is Saudi Arabia’s official digital government services platform operated by the Ministry of Interior. Since its launch in 2010, it has grown into the most important digital identity tool in the Kingdom, processing over 35.2 million transactions in June 2025 alone and issuing more than 28 million unified digital IDs.

In 2026, Absher will no longer be optional for residents. It is the single system through which nearly every significant legal and administrative process in Saudi Arabia is managed:

For expatriate workers: Absher is where your Iqama status is tracked and managed. Your legal presence in Saudi Arabia depends on the accuracy of records in Absher. Visa applications, sponsorship transfers, exit and re-entry visa issuance, and Iqama renewals all flow through Absher. An employer who does not use Absher Business correctly can cause cascading restrictions on your status without you being directly aware.

For Saudi citizens: Absher provides passport issuance and renewal, civil records, vehicle services, driving license renewals, and access to dozens of civil affairs services without needing to visit a government office.

For visit visa holders: Absher allows limited service access using your border number, including checking visa status and certain civil affairs inquiries.

The key distinction in 2026: Absher is not a passive convenience. It actively enforces compliance. If records are not updated correctly in the system, it can automatically restrict your status. Faster processing, real-time status updates, enhanced multi-factor authentication, and deeper integration with national systems are all 2026 updates that make the platform both more powerful and less forgiving of mistakes.

Absher vs Nafath vs IAM: Understanding the Ecosystem

Many users are confused by the three overlapping platforms. Here is the relationship:

Absher is the Ministry of Interior’s service platform. It is where services are accessed and where your government identity records are stored.

Nafath (National Unified Access) is Saudi Arabia’s single sign-on (SSO) identity platform operated by the National Information Center. It allows you to use your Absher login credentials to access 500+ government and private sector services across the Kingdom without creating separate accounts for each. Nafath has been used more than 3 billion times to date. In 2026, Nafath activation is the fastest and most recommended way to activate a new Absher account.

IAM (iam.gov.sa) is the national identity management portal that covers registration and management of digital IDs. It connects to Absher for existing account holders.

The practical effect: register on Absher, activate via Nafath or a kiosk, and your single digital identity then works across 500+ platforms in Saudi Arabia.

Who Can Create an Absher Account?

Absher registration is open to almost everyone in Saudi Arabia:

Saudi citizens: Register with your National ID number. Access to a full range of citizen services.

Expatriate residents (Iqama holders): Register with your Iqama number. Includes dependent family members on the sponsor’s Iqama. A 2026 policy update confirmed dependents can now have their own individual Absher accounts with the sponsor initiating access.

GCC nationals: Register using their Gulf national ID number or border number.

Visit visa holders: Register using their border number (issued on entry to Saudi Arabia). Access is limited to services relevant to visitors.

Requirements for all: A valid Iqama, national ID, or border number; a Saudi mobile phone number registered in your name; and a valid email address.

Step 1: Create Your Absher Account (Registration)

Registration creates your account. It does not give you access to services yet. That comes in Step 2 (activation). Registration takes about 5 minutes.

Via the Absher Website (absher.sa)

1. Open a web browser and go to absher.sa
2. Click on Individuals (for personal accounts) or Business (for employer accounts)
3. On the Individuals login page, click New User, then Registration
4. Fill in all required fields:
   • Identity, residence, or border number (your Iqama number for expats)
   • Saudi mobile phone number (must be registered in your name)
   • Email address
   • Choose a username (you will use this to log in every time)
   • Create a password (minimum 8 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols)
   • Confirm password
   • Select your preferred language (Arabic or English)
5. Enter the CAPTCHA visual verification code shown on screen
6. Tick the box to agree to the terms and conditions
7. Click Next or Submit
8. An OTP (one-time password) is sent by SMS to your registered mobile number
9. Enter the OTP in the verification field
10. Click Confirm

Your Absher account has now been created. You will see a confirmation screen. However, you cannot use most services yet because the account is not activated.

Via the Absher Mobile App

1. Download the Absher app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (search “Absher” or “أبشر”)
2. Open the app and tap New User Registration
3. Enter your Iqama number, mobile number, and email address
4. Create a strong password
5. Agree to the terms and conditions
6. Enter the OTP received by SMS
7. Tap Register

The account is created. Proceed to activation.

Important note on mobile number: Your mobile number must be registered under your own Iqama or national ID with the telecom operator (STC, Mobily, or Zain). If you receive an “Invalid Mobile Number” error during registration, your number is either registered under someone else’s name or has not been linked to your Iqama. Resolve this with your telecom operator before attempting registration again.

Step 2: Activate Your Absher Account

Activation is the biometric identity verification step that unlocks all services. Without it, your account exists, but most services are blocked. There are four activation methods in 2026.

Activation Method 1: Via Nafath App (Fastest, No Travel Required)

Nafath is now the recommended primary activation method as it can be completed entirely on your smartphone without visiting any physical location.

1. Download the Nafath app from Google Play or the App Store
2. Open the app and tap New Registration
3. Log in using your Absher credentials (the username and password you just created)
4. Select Activate Digital Identity
5. Complete the biometric verification: the app will ask for a fingerprint scan or facial recognition scan using your phone’s camera
6. Confirm the activation request
7. Return to Absher and log in. Your account is now fully activated.

Why Nafath is the top choice in 2026: No queue, no travel, no appointment. Completed entirely on your phone in under 3 minutes if biometric scanning works cleanly. The Nafath app also serves as your national digital identity tool for accessing 500+ other Saudi government and private services.

If Nafath face verification fails: Ensure good lighting and hold the camera steady. A “face verification failed” error is almost always a lighting or camera angle issue, not a system problem. Try in a well-lit room facing a window.

Activation Method 2: Via Absher Self-Service Kiosk

There are over 420 Absher self-service kiosks across Saudi Arabia, located at Jawazat offices, airports, hospitals, shopping malls, Mobily branches, and Saudi Post locations.

1. Locate the nearest kiosk using the Absher website’s location finder or by searching “Absher kiosk” on Google Maps
2. Tap the screen to wake the machine
3. Select English from the language menu
4. Choose Activate Account
5. Enter your Iqama number
6. Place your right index finger on the fingerprint reader and hold until the scan completes
7. Place your left index finger on the fingerprint reader
8. Enter your Saudi mobile number
9. Enter the OTP received by SMS
10. Activation is complete

When to use the kiosk: The kiosk verifies identity via fingerprint, making it the right option when your phone does not support biometric apps, when Nafath face scan is not working, or when you need to update your registered mobile number (which requires fingerprint verification and cannot be done via Nafath alone).

For a full city-by-city kiosk location list, see our Absher Machine Kiosk Locations 2026 guide.

Activation Method 3: Via Bank App or Online Banking

Most major Saudi banks allow Absher activation through their mobile banking app or internet banking portal. This is the recommended alternative for users who have an active Saudi bank account but cannot easily reach a kiosk.

Supported banks include: Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank (SNB), Riyad Bank, Bank Albilad, Banque Saudi Fransi, Saudi Investment Bank, and Alinma Bank.

General steps (Al Rajhi Bank as an example):

1. Log in to the Al Rajhi app or online banking at alrajhibank.com.sa
2. Navigate to Government Services or look for Absher Activation
3. Select Absher Individual Activation
4. Enter your Iqama number
5. The bank verifies your identity against its records (this requires your Iqama to be linked to your bank account)
6. Confirm the activation request
7. Receive an SMS confirmation
8. Log in to Absher to complete the process

For a detailed step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots for Al Rajhi Bank specifically, see our Absher Registration via Al Rajhi Bank guide.

Activation Method 4: Visit a Jawazat Branch

For cases where all other methods are not working (damaged fingerprints, phone issues, biometric failures), visit your nearest Jawazat (Passport) office in person.

1. Locate your nearest Jawazat office
2. Bring your original Iqama and your Absher username (written down or in your phone)
3. Visit the Jawazat office during working hours (Sunday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM)
4. Request Absher account activation at the service counter
5. A Jawazat officer will verify your identity and complete the activation

This method is also appropriate for people with disabilities who cannot complete biometric scanning via phone or kiosk, as Jawazat can process manual activation.

Step 3: Log In to Absher After Activation

Once activated, logging in takes seconds on every subsequent visit:

1. Go to absher.sa or open the Absher app
2. Click Individuals
3. Enter your username and password
4. Click Login
5. An OTP is sent to your registered mobile number
6. Enter the OTP
7. You are now inside your Absher account with full access to all services

Tip: Save your username in a note or cloud storage. The username is case-sensitive, and many users get locked out by forgetting the exact case or spelling used during registration.

What You Can Do on Absher: 330+ Services in 2026

Once activated, Absher gives you access to over 330 government services. The most commonly used include:

Passport and Residency Services

• Check and renew Iqama (residence permit) status
• Issue and cancel exit and re-entry visas for family members and domestic workers
• Issue the final exit visa
• Update passport information for self, family members, or domestic workers
• View and download digital copies of Iqama and other identity documents

Civil Affairs

• Update national address (mandatory for many services)
• View and download digital ID (a legally valid copy of the Iqama, valid in most contexts instead of the physical card)
• Civil status inquiries
• Birth and death registration services
• Request academic credential amendments

Traffic and Vehicles

• View and pay traffic violation fines
• Renew vehicle registration (Istimara)
• Renew driving license
• Transfer vehicle ownership
• View accident reports

Dependent and Worker Management

• Manage dependents’ Iqamas and visas
• Domestic worker services via Musaned integration
• Authorize domestic worker arrival at airports

Appointments and Civil Security

• Book Jawazat appointments
• Apply for Hajj permits
• Check criminal record status
• Air rifle permit management (added June 2025)
• Report electronic crimes

Digital Wallet

In June 2025 alone, over 26.8 million document views were recorded through the Absher digital wallet. The wallet stores verified digital versions of your identity documents that are legally accepted in Saudi Arabia across government and private sector contexts.

Absher Business: The Employer Platform

Absher has two distinct platforms. Everything described above applies to Absher Individuals. Employers and sponsors use a separate system called Absher Business.

Absher Business allows employers to:

• Issue, renew, and cancel Iqamas for employees
• Apply for work visas and manage work permits
• Issue exit and re-entry visas for workers
• Transfer worker sponsorship
• Manage accident reports (new in June 2025)
• Handle rock-cutting and commercial licensing permits

If you are an expat employee and your employer tells you that your Iqama renewal is “being processed,” they are doing it through Absher Business. Your own Individuals account lets you monitor the resulting status changes in real time.

How to Reset a Forgotten Absher Password

If you have forgotten your password and your registered mobile number is still active:

1. Go to absher.sa and click Individuals
2. Click Forgot Password on the login page
3. Enter your username and Iqama number
4. Click Send OTP to your registered mobile number
5. Enter the OTP
6. Create a new password
7. Confirm and save

If your registered mobile number is no longer active: You cannot reset the password online because the OTP cannot be delivered. Go to an Absher kiosk with your Iqama and fingerprint to update your mobile number first, then reset the password online.

How to Change Your Absher Mobile Number

Your Absher account’s registered mobile number is the most critical piece of account access information. Every login, every OTP, every service notification goes to this number.

Method 1: Via Nafath App

1. Open the Nafath app
2. Log in with your Absher credentials
3. Navigate to Account Settings, then Mobile Number Update
4. Follow the verification steps (face scan or fingerprint)
5. Enter your new Saudi mobile number
6. Confirm with the OTP sent to the new number
7. Your number is updated within 10 minutes

Method 2: Via Absher Kiosk

1. Visit any Absher kiosk
2. Select Update Mobile Number
3. Enter your Iqama number
4. Complete fingerprint scan (both index fingers)
5. Enter your new Saudi mobile number
6. Confirm with OTP
7. Update is immediate

Method 3: Via Bank App. Some banks (Al Rajhi, SNB) allow mobile number updates through their Absher-linked services. Follow the same path used for initial activation and look for a mobile number update option.

Important: The new number must be a Saudi mobile number registered in your name under your Iqama. You cannot link someone else’s number to your Absher account.

Using Absher Outside Saudi Arabia

Absher works internationally with some limitations:

What works abroad: The Absher website and app function fully over any internet connection. You can view your digital documents, check your Iqama and visa status, and manage dependent services from any country.

What requires a Saudi mobile number: Every Absher login requires an OTP sent to your registered Saudi mobile number. If your Saudi SIM is not active while abroad, you cannot log in. Solutions include keeping your Saudi SIM active on roaming, using a dual-SIM phone to keep both numbers active, or ensuring your Saudi SIM remains in your possession and active before you travel.

What may require physical presence: Some appointment bookings and services requiring physical verification in Saudi Arabia cannot be completed remotely.

Troubleshooting Common Absher Problems

“Invalid Mobile Number” during registration: Your SIM is not registered under your Iqama. Visit your telecom operator (STC, Mobily, or Zain) with your Iqama to verify and link the number before retrying registration.

OTP not received: Check signal strength. Ensure your SIM is active and not suspended. If you are in a low-signal area, move outside and try again. Wait 5 minutes before requesting a new OTP.

Nafath face verification keeps failing: Use in good natural light. Position your face squarely in the camera frame. Remove glasses if applicable. Ensure the camera lens is clean. Try a different location with better lighting.

Fingerprint not recognized at kiosk: Ensure fingers are clean and dry. Press firmly with the flat pad of the fingertip, not the tip. If fingerprints are damaged due to cuts, dry skin, or a skin condition, visit a Jawazat branch for manual activation.

Account locked after multiple failed login attempts: Wait 30 minutes for the lockout to expire, then try again. If you have also forgotten the password, use the Forgot Password flow after the lockout period.

Services showing as unavailable despite activation: Log out completely and log back in. The activation may have propagated to the system, but the session was not refreshed. If specific services are greyed out, they may require additional prerequisites, such as a valid health insurance record or an active Iqama, before they become accessible.

Absher app crashing on payment steps: This is a known issue on some older Android models and some Huawei devices. Use the Absher website on a browser instead of the app for payment-linked services until the app is updated.

Absher 2026: What’s New

Several significant updates have been made to Absher in the past 12 months:

In June 2025 alone, the platform processed more than 35.2 million electronic transactions, with nearly 33 million completed via Absher Individuals, including over 26.8 million document views through the digital wallet. More than 28 million unified digital IDs have been issued to date.

New digital services launched in 2025 include vehicle ownership transfers to businesses, air rifle permit updates and renewals, a new Accident Report service on Absher Business, and expanded options for managing commercial licensing permits.

In 2026, Absher provides over 330 electronic and inquiry services, with AI-powered support tools added and enhanced sign language accessibility features. Integration with Tawakkalna and Nafath has deepened into a unified digital ecosystem across all government platforms.

Key 2026 updates include faster processing speeds for visa issuance and renewals, real-time Iqama and visa status updates visible to both employees and employers, enhanced multi-factor authentication, and near-full mobile app functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary: Absher Registration and Activation at a Glance

Registration (online, 5 minutes): absher.sa or Absher app; New User; enter Iqama + mobile + email + username + password; confirm OTP.

Activation (choose one method):

After activation: Log in with username + password + OTP. Access 330+ services, including Iqama renewal, visa management, traffic fine payment, digital wallet, and dependent management.

Related guides on Saudi Scoop:

• Absher Machine Kiosk Near Me 2026 for kiosk locations across Saudi Arabia
• Absher Registration via Al Rajhi Bank for detailed bank activation steps
• Saudi Visa Validity Check Online 2026 for what to do after activation
• Saudi Arabia Iqama Issuance and Renewal Fees 2026 for Iqama cost and process guide

DISCLAIMER: Absher platform features, activation methods, and available services are subject to change by the Saudi Ministry of Interior. Saudi Scoop is not affiliated with the Saudi government. Always verify current procedures at absher.sa or by calling the Jawazat helpline at 920001212.

Owais Qarni

Owais Qarni is a Co-Founder, Chief Editor, and Author of Saudi Scoop. He is passionate about tech, cars, and traveling. A Dreamer, Explorer & Optimist!