Pakistan Consulate in Jeddah Launches Online Appointment System

The Pakistan Consulate in Jeddah has introduced an advance appointment system for passport and NADRA identity card services, changing the way Pakistani citizens in Saudi Arabia will access two of the mission's most frequently used consular facilities. The new arrangement took effect on September 25 and is designed to reduce waiting times and make visits to the consulate more predictable for applicants.

Consul General Syed Mustafa Rabbani outlined the procedure while briefing journalists in Jeddah. He said the mission would continue taking steps aimed at facilitating overseas Pakistanis, particularly those who need passport and identity-document services and may have to travel considerable distances to reach the consulate.

Under the new process, applicants can select a preferred date and time before travelling to the mission. Instead of arriving early and waiting for an uncertain period, a person with a confirmed booking can reach the consulate about 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment. The change is intended to streamline the flow of visitors and reduce the amount of time applicants spend at the facility.

The consulate said the previous experience could be especially difficult for Pakistanis travelling to Jeddah from other Saudi cities. Some applicants would arrive early in the morning to complete passport or identity-card formalities, with the overall process sometimes consuming most of the day. The appointment model is intended to address that problem by assigning specific time slots in advance.

Applicants seeking a booking will need to use the consulate's website and provide basic information including their name, identity card number and mobile phone number. After the booking is completed, appointment details will be sent to the applicant's mobile phone. The confirmation will allow visitors to plan their arrival around the assigned time rather than relying on an open-ended queue.

The transition carries an important deadline for Pakistanis who expect to need passport or NADRA services in Jeddah. The consulate said that from October 1, applicants will not be provided these services without a prior appointment. People planning visits after that date will therefore need to complete the online booking process before going to the mission.

The immediate impact will be on overseas Pakistanis using the Jeddah mission for essential identity and travel documentation. If implemented as planned, the scheduling system should give applicants clearer control over when they visit and reduce unnecessary waiting, particularly for those travelling from outside Jeddah. Attention will now turn to the transition ahead of the October 1 mandatory-booking deadline and how smoothly applicants adapt to the new procedure.