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🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · National ID card

Saudi National ID Card

National Identity Card / Electronic ID

The Saudi National ID card is the mandatory electronic identity credential for citizens, issued by the Ministry of Interior's Civil Affairs. It is a chip-based smart card storing biometric and biographic data with PKI digital signature capability, and since April 2025 is accepted for GCC travel.

What it does
Identity verification / KYCBiometric authenticationQualified digital signaturesTravel / border control
Country:🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Type:National ID card
Status:Live
Launched:2008
Issuer:Ministry of Interior, Civil Affairs (National Information Center manages the identity system)
Who can get it:Saudi citizens (a parallel Iqama card applies to residents); valid for GCC travel since April 2025
Format
National ID card
Identity attributes
Demographic dataPhotographFingerprintsFacial imagePKI digital signature
Authentication methods
Smart card chipBiometricPKI digital signatureBarcode
Common use cases
Proof of identity for government and private transactionsBanking and KYCGCC travelRoot identity underpinning Absher and Nafath
Standards
Contact chip smart card with PKI application
Coverage

Mandatory for citizens; feeds the National Digital Identity System supporting 6,000-plus services

Interoperability

Root credential for the National Digital Identity System, accessed digitally through Absher and Nafath and accepted for GCC travel

Privacy and trust

The card centralizes biometric and biographic data including fingerprints and facial image on a chip linked to a unified national identity record.

Identity verification providers

Independent identity verification vendors that support documents like this for KYC and onboarding. Exact document coverage varies by provider and region, so confirm support before relying on it.

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Official source
https://www.moi.gov.sa/

Saudi National ID Card: frequently asked questions

Can I use the National ID for travel?
Yes, it is valid for travel within GCC countries as of April 2025.
How is the card linked to digital services?
It is the root credential for the National Digital Identity System, accessed digitally through Absher and Nafath.
Educational reference, not official guidance. Confirm current details with the issuing authority. See Saudi Arabia data protection law · all Saudi Arabia schemes · identity verification vendors