Maj. Gen. Yahya in Indonesia to Discuss POC System

 

Jeddah, MINA — Saudi Arabian authorities have been gradually expanding the state-of-the-art technology to render a comfortable and hassle free journey for pilgrims across the world. Saudi Passport officials are keen to extend the pre-clearance facility to pilgrims from different parts of the world.

Saudi authorities have introduced the Proof of Concept (POC) system for pre-clearance at the point of departure in home countries. The POC system enables immigration checks in home countries at time of departure, instead of upon arrival in Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s Director General of Passports Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Al Yahya is currently visiting Indonesia, the country that sends the highest number of pilgrims in the world, to check the feasibilty of installing the mechanism and procedures in Indonesian airports.

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A delegation led by Maj. Gen. Al Yahya has met with Dr. Nizar Ali, director general of Haj affairs of Indonesian government, and other concerned authorities in Jakarta on Saturday. The Saudi delegation also held a wide range of meetings with their counterparts in Indonesia and presented a visual demonstration of the POC system.

The simple and easiest procedure to serve pilgrims across the globe is one of the main objectives of Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the Saudi delegation explained to Indonesian officials.

Elaborating details to Saudi Gazette, Indonesia’s Haj Consul Surya Panili said, “With the implementation of the POC, our pilgrims can go straight to the luggage area upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.”

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He said that they do not have to wait in queues at immigration counters, which will help them to save time after the long flight from home.

Panili hailed the Saudi initiative that provides a hassle free arrival to Kingdom in upcoming Haj season. “This year over 221,000 pilgrims from Indonesia are expected to arrive to perform Haj,” he added.

 

 

e-Haj visa system pilot project

The POC system is designated to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah only, according to Saudi offici

Malaysian Haj pilgrims were the first in the world to use the POC system during last year’s Haj.

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Saudi Passport authorities have successfully implemented the new system in Malaysia as pilot project and with positive feedback they are expanding it to other Asian countries that adhering to e-Haj visa system.

Only three countries Indonesia, India and Malaysia have been implementing e-Haj visa system.

Last year Indian officials announced that India also expected to have POC system from 2018. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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