Saudi digitises deportation and travel checks with AI systems / AI-generated image
Acting Director General of Passports (Jawazat), Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba, announced at the Digital Government Forum 2025 in Riyadh that the directorate will shortly roll out a Self-Deportation Platform to let people who are in the Kingdom illegally complete departure procedures online. He also unveiled a Smart Track system that uses smart cameras and AI to verify identities and process groups of travellers, potentially eliminating the need for routine passport-control staff at some checkpoints.
Deportation goes digital
The Self-Deportation Platform is an online portal designed to replace manual, paper-heavy deportation practices. According to the announcement, once security and technical preparations are completed, individuals identified as violators of residency, labour or border rules will be able to access the platform, complete travel documentation and finalise their exit without in-person processing. The move is framed as both an efficiency and a modernisation step, shifting a time-consuming administrative task into a secure digital flow. Key practical points reported so far:
- The platform lets the user submit required exit paperwork and verification online.
- Launch timing: the platform will be rolled out “shortly” after technical and security checks are completed (no firm public date was given).
Smart track and AI identity verification
Smart Track is the complementary system for travel hubs. It uses smart cameras and AI to check identities and can reportedly verify up to 35 people at once, allowing travel procedures to complete without an individual passport-control officer present. The system aims to accelerate passenger flow at airports and other checkpoints by automating identity verification and cross-checking against security databases. Officials say the technology will be introduced once integration with Jawazat security systems is completed.
The future of Airport queues
For travelers passing through the Kingdom’s ports, two major technological leaps are set to eliminate slow-moving lines and long waiting times:
- The Smart Track System: This innovative track will allow travelers to pass through immigration controls where their identities are verified solely via advanced smart cameras. Crucially, these cameras are capable of verifying the identities of up to 35 people simultaneously. This unprecedented speed means passengers can complete their entry or exit procedures without needing to interact with a passport control officer, drastically cutting down processing time.
- Digital Twins Technology: Tested successfully during the Hajj season of 1445 AH (2024), this system relies on complex models and data analysis. This provides real-time insights into crucial operational metrics, including:
- Analyzing crowd movement patterns within terminals.
- Accurately calculating passenger waiting times at passport control areas.
- Continuously monitoring passenger satisfaction with the services provided.
Furthermore, departure procedures are being streamlined to a great extent. By linking technical and security systems to smart devices and digital cameras for automated verification, the traditional requirement of passing through passport control at departure lounges will be eliminated, creating a seamless boarding experience.
The Absher ecosystem
The push for digitalization extends beyond the airport floor and into the wider administrative ecosystem, with the Absher platform at the center of innovation:
- Digital Passport and International Cooperation: The digital passport is already available on the Absher platform, simplifying international travel procedures for beneficiaries. Jawazat is actively working to conclude international agreements with other countries to ensure the acceptance and expansion of this digital passport for global travel.
- A Unified Gateway for Data: To improve security and facilitate international transit, the Jawazat has serious plans to establish a “unified gateway between countries” for the exchange of passenger data. This system will be secured through formal agreements, ensuring that passenger data is streamlined as soon as they transit through the Kingdom to other international destinations.
- Service Accessibility: The Absher platform currently offers more than 100 digital services, which benefited over 24 million users in the year 2024 alone. Jawazat has also introduced the “Smart Voice Agent” service, available 24/7 by calling the number 992, providing immediate assistance to users without the need for direct employee intervention.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to these digital reforms, anchored by the launch of the Self-Deportation Platform and the AI-driven Smart Track system, clearly signals a new era. By transforming its ports into smart, efficient gateways and streamlining administrative services through technology, the Kingdom is solidifying its position as a leader in digital government, ensuring faster travel, seamless security, and a radically improved experience for all who enter or exit its borders. Go to Source
