Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has launched a new digital service designed to simplify entry procedures for visitors arriving through the Kingdom’s land border crossings. The service allows eligible travellers to complete several requirements electronically before reaching the border, with mandatory use scheduled to begin six months after its official launch.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, the Ministry announced the introduction of Absher Travel for Visitors, a service available through the Absher application for citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other visitors entering Saudi Arabia through its land ports of entry.

The initiative has been developed in cooperation with several government entities, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, the Insurance Authority, the General Directorate of Passports and Public Security.

According to the Ministry, the service is intended to simplify the movement of travellers and vehicles across the Kingdom’s borders by enabling visitors to complete essential travel requirements digitally before arriving at their designated crossing point.

The service allows users to register their personal information, enter the details of their vehicles, identify the land border crossing they intend to use, select their expected travel date and complete the necessary vehicle insurance arrangements.

To access the service, visitors must open the Absher application and select Absher Travel for Visitors before beginning their journey. They are then required to choose their nationality, provide a mobile phone number and specify the type of travel document they will use.

The next stage involves selecting the intended land border crossing and expected date of travel, followed by completing the necessary information concerning the traveller, vehicle and insurance requirements.

These features are particularly relevant to Gulf residents and GCC nationals who regularly travel to Saudi Arabia by road, as well as other eligible visitors entering the Kingdom in private vehicles.

By allowing travellers to complete information requirements in advance, the Ministry aims to streamline border procedures and improve the overall arrival experience.

One of the most important elements of the announcement concerns the implementation schedule. The Ministry confirmed that the new service will become mandatory six months after its official launch on October 26, 2026.

This places the expected mandatory implementation period around late April 2027. However, travellers should follow subsequent official announcements for any further clarification regarding the precise enforcement date and operational requirements.

The distinction between the service’s launch date and its mandatory implementation is particularly important. Although the service became available on October 26, the Ministry did not state that every eligible visitor must begin using it immediately from that date.

The announcement also did not establish a new government service fee or specify a separate financial penalty for failing to use the platform during the initial period. Existing vehicle insurance requirements should not be confused with newly introduced charges.

The procedures described in the Ministry’s announcement specifically concern travellers arriving through land border crossings. The statement does not extend the same requirement to visitors entering Saudi Arabia by air or sea.

The initiative forms part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to expand integrated digital government services, improve coordination between border authorities and simplify administrative procedures for international visitors.

The Ministry expects the service to improve the processing of traveller and vehicle information while supporting a more convenient experience for individuals entering the Kingdom by road.

Travellers planning to use Saudi Arabia’s land borders are encouraged to consult the official Absher application, verify their travel and vehicle documents, and monitor government announcements for updates concerning the mandatory implementation stage.

Source: Saudi Ministry of Interior – Saudi Press Agency