Saudi Arabia Passport Renewal in the USA

Saudi citizens residing in the United States can renew an expired passport at a Saudi embassy or consulate without returning to the Kingdom. Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about Saudi passport renewal at the embassy, including required paperwork and fees, application steps, and photo standards.

Table of contents

• Can Saudi Citizens Renew Their Passports in the USA?
• Using Absher Platform for Saudi Passport Renewal
• Where to Get New Saudi Passport in the USA
• How to Renew a Saudi Passport in the USA: Step-by-step
• Documents Required for Saudi Passport Renewal
• Saudi Passport Photo Requirements
• Get Your Saudi Passport Photo Online!
• Saudi Passport Renewal Fees
• Saudi Passport Processing Time in the USA
• FAQ

Can Saudi Citizens Renew Their Passports in the USA?

Yes, you can renew your Saudi passport outside of Saudi Arabia, including in the United States, as long as you meet the applicable requirements. Here you'll learn who is eligible and what conditions apply.

Who is eligible

• Saudi citizens abroad whose passports have expired or have no remaining blank pages.
• Minors applying through a parent or legal guardian, together with any required consent or custody documents.

Note that Saudi passport renewal is possible for citizens residing abroad, provided they have a valid Saudi national ID (Iqama or National ID card). However, the National ID itself cannot be renewed at the embassy. This must be done from inside Saudi Arabia.

When you must contact the Saudi Embassy

Contact the embassy or consulate before applying to confirm current fees, document requirements, and mail-in procedures. You should also reach out immediately if your passport has been lost, stolen, or badly damaged, as these cases require additional steps and supporting records. If you need urgent travel while staying in the United States on a visa, the mission can advise you on emergency travel documents.

Using Absher Platform for Saudi Passport Renewal

Absher serves as Saudi Arabia's main online platform for passport renewal, but only citizens who are physically inside the Kingdom can use this service.

Saudi citizens in the United States must renew their passports through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the appropriate embassy or consulate. Although government systems share information, overseas applications follow a separate procedure handled by diplomatic missions. Therefore, Saudi passport renewal through the Absher platform doesn't apply to your situation abroad.

However, there is an option available for Saudi citizens living abroad. They can submit renewal requests online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal and send supporting documents by mail if the responsible mission allows it. Please note that the embassy or consulate may require an in-person visit to verify your identity and to review original documents.

Where to Get New Saudi Passport in the USA

Saudi citizens living in the United States receive renewed passports through official Saudi diplomatic missions. Depending on the case, applicants may complete the process by mail or be asked to visit the mission in person. Below, we explain where passport services are available and when an in-person appearance is required.

Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The primary diplomatic mission is the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C. The embassy provides passport and consular services for Saudi citizens and coordinates overseas passport renewals submitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal.

Contact information:

• Address: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States
• Main phone number: (202) 342-3800
• Email: info.was@mofa.gov.sa
• Website: Embassy of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America
• Working days/hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Saudi consular offices

Saudi citizens may also use one of the Kingdom's consular offices in major U.S. cities, including New York, Houston, and Los Angeles. These missions handle passport matters, verify supporting documents, and assist with lost, damaged, or expired passports.

New York Consulate General:

• Address: 866 Second Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017
• Phone: +1 (212) 752-2740.
• Email: usnycon@mofa.gov.sa

Houston Consulate General:

• Address: 5718 Westheimer Rd., Suite 1500, Houston, TX 77057
• Phone: +1 (713) 785-5577.
• Email: ustxcon@mofa.gov.sa

Los Angeles Consulate General:

• Address: 12400 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Phone: +1 (310) 479-6000.
• Email: uscacon@mofa.gov.sa

When applicants must appear in person

An in-person visit is not always required, but the embassy or consulate may request one to confirm identity or review original documents. Personal appearance is more likely when the passport has been lost or severely damaged, when a minor is involved, or when guardianship and consent documents require verification. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reserves the right to require the applicant or legal guardian to attend the mission before issuing a new passport.

How to Renew a Saudi Passport in the USA: Step-by-step

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers an online service for renewing Saudi passports for citizens living abroad whose passports have expired or are full.

Follow these steps:

1. Fill in the "passport issuance" online application form through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs service.
2. Enter the reference number (No. Enjaz) in the designated box. Then, upload a passport-sized photo and the required documents, specified below in the article.
3. Pay the applicable fee online.
4. After submission, print and sign the completed form as instructed by the platform. The system will automatically send an e-mail and text message to confirm the registration process or to report.
5. The diplomatic mission may ask you to appear in person or mail original documents for verification.
6. Track your application status through the portal. You will also receive notifications by email or text message if additional information is required.
7. Pick up your new passport at the embassy or consulate. In many cases, you can also request to have your new passport delivered by mail once processing is complete.

Documents Required for Saudi Passport Renewal

Prepare digital copies of all required documents before starting your online application. Each file must not exceed 2 MB and must be uploaded in one of the following formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, BMP, or PDF.

Core documents:

• A valid Saudi National ID.
• Your current or expired Saudi passport.
• Proof of your status in the United States, such as a residence permit, student visa, or university identification card.
• A supporting letter from your employer, university, or Saudi cultural mission, depending on your circumstances.
• A recent digital passport photograph.

Additional documents for special cases:

• For minors:
  • Written consent from the legal guardian.
  • Approval from the mother if she is not a Saudi citizen.
  • Custody documents, when applicable.
• For passports expired for a long period: Applicants whose passports have been expired for more than one year may need to obtain a temporary travel document (laissez-passer) before receiving a new passport.

Saudi Passport Photo Requirements

Saudi authorities require passport photos to meet strict technical and visual standards. Photos that fail to comply with these rules may not be accepted with the application. Here you'll find out about the requirements your image must meet:

• The printed photo must measure 4 × 6 cm.
• The digital image for online submission must be 200 × 200 pixels.
• Use a plain white background without shadows or patterns.
• Face the camera directly with both eyes open and fully visible.
• Wear traditional Saudi clothing.
• Head coverings are permitted only for religious reasons and must leave the entire face visible.
• Glasses are allowed solely for medical reasons and require supporting documentation from a licensed physician. Frames must not cover any facial features.
• The photo must have been taken within the last six months.

Here is an example of a compliant Saudi passport photo:

Get Your Saudi Passport Photo Online!

With Visafoto, you can take your own Saudi passport photo at home, eliminating the need to visit a professional studio. The entire process takes only a few minutes and produces images that meet official requirements. Learn how to take a compliant passport photo in two simple steps:

1. Upload a photo taken in good natural light to the Visafoto tool below.
2. Select the country and document type (e.g., Saudi Arabia, passport).

The service automatically adjusts the background, dimensions, head position, and other technical details. You receive both a digital file for online applications and a version suitable for printing.

Visafoto can also improve image quality when necessary. The system corrects lighting, sharpens details, increases resolution, and fixes framing issues if the original picture was taken too close. You don't even need to take a new photo – you can simply photograph an existing passport photo with your phone, and Visafoto will optimize the scan quality. If your image already meets the required standards, no additional edits are applied.

Example of the original photo:

Photo after Visafoto editing:

Visafoto delivers a 99.7% acceptance rate, with more than 1,000,000 approved images. If your photo is rejected, you receive a full refund. Our tech support team is available 24/7 if you have any questions.

This article explains how to print out your passport photo at Walgreens or CVS for $0.35 only.

Saudi Passport Renewal Fees

The cost of renewing a Saudi passport depends on the validity period you choose and, in some cases, the applicant's age. Here are the current standard fees:

• 5-year passport: 300 SAR (about 80 USD).
• 10-year passport: 600 SAR (about 160 USD). This option is available only to citizens aged 21 or older.

Additional charges may apply for shipping or other consular services, depending on the embassy or consulate handling your application.

Saudi Passport Processing Time in the USA

Most Saudi passport renewals processed through diplomatic missions in the United States take about 3 to 4 weeks.

Applications may take longer if officials request original documents, need to confirm identity details, or receive incomplete paperwork. If you must travel urgently, contact the responsible mission directly to ask about available emergency options.

FAQ

Can I renew my Saudi passport in the USA without visiting the embassy?

In many cases, yes. Saudi citizens can submit renewal requests through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal for citizens abroad and send supporting documents by mail if the responsible mission allows it. However, the embassy or consulate may require an in-person visit to verify identity or review original documents.

How long does Saudi passport renewal take in the USA?

Standard processing usually takes 3 to 4 weeks after the embassy or consulate receives all required documents. Processing may take longer if officials request additional information or need to verify identity details.

Do I need to print out a passport photo for my passport application?

Not always. Online applications require a digital photo that meets the official specifications. Some diplomatic missions may also ask applicants to provide printed photos, so it is best to confirm the current requirements with the embassy or consulate handling your case.

What should I do if my Saudi passport is lost in the USA?

Report the loss to the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate as soon as possible. You may also need to file a police report, provide proof of identity, and submit additional forms before receiving a replacement passport or an emergency travel document.

Can I renew a Saudi passport for my child through Absher?

No, if you live in the US. Absher passport services are available only to citizens who are physically present in Saudi Arabia. If your child lives in the United States, you must apply through the appropriate Saudi diplomatic mission and provide any required guardianship or consent documents.

Does Absher issue new Saudi passports or only renew existing ones?

Absher supports both passport issuance and renewal services inside Saudi Arabia, subject to the applicant's eligibility and age requirements. Citizens residing abroad, however, must complete these procedures through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi embassies or consulates.

Can I authorize someone else to handle passport services on my behalf?

Yes, certain procedures may be completed through an authorized representative if the embassy accepts a valid power of attorney or other supporting authorization. Requirements vary by mission, and some services still require the applicant to appear in person for identity verification.