By Deborah Nnamdi
Saudi Arabia is accelerating the digitization of its immigration and border operations with the launch of a Self-Deportation Platform and an AI-powered Smart Track system, officials announced at the Digital Government Forum 2025 in Riyadh.
Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba, Acting Director General of Passports, said the initiatives reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to modernizing administrative processes and leveraging artificial intelligence for efficiency and security. The Self-Deportation Platform allows individuals residing illegally in the country to complete departure procedures online, eliminating the need for in-person visits to immigration offices. Once fully tested, users will be able to submit documents, verify identities, and receive exit authorization through an automated system.
Complementing this effort, the Smart Track System uses intelligent cameras and AI to verify passenger identities at airports, with the capacity to process up to 35 travelers simultaneously. The technology will cross-check passengers against security databases in real time, reducing queues and bottlenecks at entry points. Officials noted the system will be fully operational once integrated with national security infrastructure.
The government is also applying Digital Twin technology, previously used during the 2024 Hajj season, to monitor crowd movement, estimate wait times, and improve passenger experiences. Both initiatives are part of a wider digital transformation strategy anchored in the Absher platform, which currently provides more than 100 online services to over 24 million users, including digital passports, travel permits, and AI-assisted support.
Saudi authorities are additionally developing a unified international data gateway to facilitate secure information exchange with partner countries, further enhancing border efficiency and international cooperation. Together, the Self-Deportation Platform and Smart Track system underscore the Kingdom’s push toward a technology-driven, secure, and streamlined immigration system.
