Eleven Government Agencies Join Hands to Develop A Unified Visa Platform

Riyadh: Eleven ministries and government agencies were assigned the task of developing a Unified National Visa Platform.

The decision was taken by the Saudi Council of Ministers on May 17. As per the decision, the National Information Center (NIC) will host the Unified National Visa Platform.

The Cabinet decided to shift the Online Visa Platform presently under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to NIC.

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The Council stated that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development would be responsible for all submitted work visa applications for approval to the Unified National Platform for Visas at MOFA.

The new committee will represent ten ministries and government agencies besides MOFA. The committee will develop procedures for a unified platform.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be the owner and technical developer of the platform. The NIC will host the committee.

The Cabinet explained that adopting the Unified National Visa Platform does not mean any change in the existing electronic systems and procedures.

These include the Border Law, the Recruitment Law, and the rules for dealing with expatriates.

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The Cabinet decision also included creating a technical working team at MOFA.

MOFA, NIC, the Digital Government Authority, and the National Cybersecurity Authority will coordinate for a smooth transition of the visa platform.

The transfer from MOFA to NIC. This task is to be completed within a year from the date of the Cabinet decision.