What is the border number on the residence permit?

Border Number is a unique number corresponding to the visa, consisting of 10 digits starting with the number 3 or 4. It is officially recognized within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the first official identification tool obtained by an expatriate entering the Kingdom legally. This number – assigned to a single entrant – has multiple sources for inquiry, either via electronic platforms like Absher or without Absher through other methods.

In this article, we will learn more about what the unique number in the visa is, how to inquire about it via different platforms, and the conditions for obtaining it.

What is the Border Number?

The Border Number, or Unique Number, consists of ten digits and is issued to non-GCC expatriates upon entering the Kingdom through land, sea, or air entry points for the first time. This number is used in various transactions for expatriates inside the Kingdom, such as residency, temporary banking transactions, or health insurance.

What are the uses of the Border Number?

It is used to complete governmental procedures for expatriates, including:

• Issuing Iqama (residency): The border number is a fundamental requirement to issue a residency ID for the new expatriate.
• Inquiring about government services: It can be used to inquire about visas, violations, and health insurance through platforms like Absher and Muqeem.
• Registration on Qiwa and labor platforms: The border number is used to register in systems of the Ministry of Human Resources, especially when the expatriate is associated with a sponsor or company.
• Health insurance: The border number is used to link the medical insurance for the expatriate before issuing the residency.
• Registration in official entities: It is used for registration in official entities, such as the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority if the expatriate works in a sector that requires it.

From the above, we see that the Border Number is the first and most important identification tool in issuing residency for expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

What are the conditions for obtaining the Border Number?

The Border Number is issued automatically when the expatriate enters Saudi Arabia. The government issues it for the first time through various border entry points. To obtain this number, there are some important conditions and procedures to consider such as:

1- The expatriate must be non-GCC: The Kingdom exempts citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries from obtaining a border number upon entry.

2- Legal entry: The expatriate must have entered the Kingdom legally and officially.

3- Valid visa: To issue a border number, a valid visa must exist, such as Umrah, visit, or work visas.

4- Passport stamping upon entry: Once the passport is stamped upon entry, the expatriate’s data is automatically registered, and a border number is issued.

From the above, it is clear that issuing a Border Number is a routine procedure when entering the country legally, provided laws are followed and conditions met.

Does the Border Number change upon exiting the Kingdom?

Yes, the Border Number does change when exiting the Kingdom with a final exit visa. A new number is issued later with a new visa, but it does not change when exiting and returning with the same residency or visa.

Inquiring about the Border Number

You can inquire about your Border Number through the Absher platform by following these steps:

Via Absher Individuals
1- Log in to the Absher platform.

2- Select Absher Individuals and enter login credentials (username/ID number + password).

3- Go to “My Services” then choose “Inquiries”.

4- Select “Border Number Inquiry”.

5- Enter the passport number and select nationality, then click on “Inquire”.

6- Your border number details will be displayed.

Via Absher Business (for employers)

If you are an employer and wish to inquire about a Border Number for one of your employees, you can log in to Absher Business and use the passport services to inquire about the registered expatriate’s border number.

If you cannot find the number, try the Muqeem platform or visit the Passport Department.

Inquiring about the Border Number via Muqeem Platform

If you are having trouble using the Absher platform, you can use the Muqeem platform easily by following these steps:

• Go to the Muqeem platform
• Select “Border Number Inquiry”
• Enter the passport number and select nationality
• Click on “Inquire”
• Your registered number details in the passport system will appear

This method is useful for expatriates who cannot access the Absher platform or prefer using another official alternative.

What are the procedures for retrieving or correcting a Border Number?

If the Border Number was not registered correctly or is lost, the expatriate can visit the Passport Department with their passport to retrieve the number again. The sponsor or employer can also inquire about the border number via the Muqeem or Absher Business platforms.

Once issued, the expatriate can use it for transactions such as residency issuance and health insurance.

Transferring Services of an Expatriate using Border Number

This service allows establishments to issue a limited exceptional work permit for the purpose of transferring the service of an expatriate who has stayed in the Kingdom for more than 90 days without a work permit. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the electronic services website, log in, select the establishment, then select the service (Transfer Expatriate Service via Border Number).

2. Enter the establishment number and the expatriate’s unique visa number, then click (Add). After adding all workers, click (Submit).
3. A confirmation message will appear if the expatriate belongs to the establishment, or authorization from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development will appear if he belongs to another establishment.
4. Then visit the Passport Department to obtain the temporary residency number.
5. Afterward, you can transfer the expatriate’s service through the Ministry’s e-services using the residency number.

Conditions for Transferring Services via Border Number

There are conditions that must be met by the establishment to complete the transfer of services via Border Number such as:

• The establishment must be active.
• The establishment license must be valid.
• The establishment’s national address must be registered in the system.
• There should be no employees with expired licenses or residencies.
• The establishment must be in the green range or above.
• There should be no violations preventing request submission.
• The expatriate must have stayed in the Kingdom for more than 90 days.
• This service is not available if the worker already has a residency permit.
• The service must be provided to all establishments under the Nitaqat program.
• The expatriate must belong to an existing establishment.

The Border Number is a key element in the immigration system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is granted to every expatriate upon their first entry into the country and is used in various official transactions such as issuing residency and inquiring about visas and other government services. This number facilitates tracking and managing expatriate data efficiently within the Ministry of Interior and Passport Department systems. To ensure smooth procedures, residents and expatriates can inquire about the border number electronically via official government platforms, reflecting the Kingdom’s digital advancement in serving individuals with efficiency and speed.

Global business way– Your Partner for Business Setup in Saudi Arabia

Global business way is one of the leading companies in business formation in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. From choosing the commercial activity to obtaining the business license and opening a bank account, the experts at Global business way support you from the first moment to turning your dreams into reality.

If you dream of starting a business in Saudi Arabia, you can contact Gloexperts via email at [info@taabusiness.com](mailto:info@taabusiness.com) or by phone at +966568849250 to establish your company and complete government services effortlessly within days.