Middle East - Long immigration lines at RUH

Saudi Arabia has added new fingerprint taking equipment at immigration...and it is severely slowing things down, at least at RUH. Last April (2010), I flew in on SV38. It took about 5 minutes to get to the front of the immigration line, where the officer looked at my business visa, stamped my passport, and let me through.

Last week, it went something like this: I arrived on LH620 around 2100. I got in one of the lines; there were (I think) 8 lines, each of which was about 30 people deep. My line moved a bit, but I saw another line growing somewhat short, so I went into that line--which was a mistake. Turns out people were leaving because the officer went on a smoke break in spite of having 30+ people in line. Eventually, that line moved again, and as we got close to the officer, we realized it was taking 3+ minutes per person (and the person behind me practically crushing me into the guy in front wasn't helping). KSA is taking everyone's fingerprints and a picture when they enter, and it is a slow process. Overall, it took 90 minutes to get through, and I've since talked to people at the hotel here in RUH who flew in on different days and had a similar experience.

Just an FYI.

The fingerprinting generally only has to happen the first time you use a visa (i.e. when you fill in a landing card) so re-entry should be quicker if you are on a multiple entry visa. About half the time they have the wit to separate new visa travellers and re-entry / iqama holders so those not needing printing get through quicker.

It is Saudi though so the rules are far from set in stone!

The endless opening and closing of new queues does my head in, as does the impressive customer service skills of the average Saudi customs agent. I've done it that many times now that I have managed to see the funny side, but its definitely in the if I don't laugh I might lose the plot category on occasions.

There's enough variability in all these dimensions to make the experience totally unpredictable !

Fingerprints aren't always taken on the first use of a new visa; I think it was my fifth time through that the computer decided it was required. The lack of instruction on the process adds to the delay, especially for people who aren't used to technology.

The rightmost line is for GCC nationals and clears down pretty quick. Most westerners join the line immediately to the left of this and hop across once it has emptied.

I reckon on the process taking somewhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours. I haven't been disappointed yet :D And I always get a smile and usually a "welcome". Maybe I just radiate positive energy ;)

I went through a whole 6 month visa without ever being fingerprinted, and then used the next visa 3 times before they made me get them done.

I spent two hours in the queue a few weeks ago when there was a conference on and all the people required first-time processing. They've also stopped being so "good" at putting first-timers in the same queue, which means that no matter which queue you pick, you'll be delayed more than you should be.

The attitude of the entry guards is just appalling - fag breaks, stopping to text a mate on the phone, hugs and kisses when a chum pops buy for a chat, then waving at their friends in the queue to jump the line. Man, I hate it.

Like so many things in Saudi, you just have to take a deep breath.

The advice above is good. Stand in the line next to the GCC line. Hold your passport open with the stamps all over the visa visible to the wandering enforcer who stops non-GCC people going into the GCC line. And hope. I also bought a green plastic Saudi passport cover for my passport from one of the hotel gift shops, it has only helped once though :D

The fingerprinting has been active at least a year, it has been chaos ever since... it's most annoying they can't link the old fingerprints to the new visa.

I tried to count the number of times I've done the Saudi immigration line, but stopped caring when I got above 100 ;) (My current passport will soon get its nineth Saudi visa, durations between 1 and 6 months, and there were a couple in my previous one...)

Today's pleasant arrival: saw from above that the hall was empty and heaved a sigh of relief. Walked up to the single manned non-GCC counter, only for the agent to get up and walk off. Walked over to the (manned) GCC counter, only to be ordered to go back and stand behind an empty counter and wait. Eventually, when the queue enforcer wasn't looking, I walked back to the GCC line and was through in 5 minutes.

Well when the heck are they going to get the electronic gates going? They announced this over a year ago!

Well when the heck are they going to get the electronic gates going? They announced this over a year ago!

you guess is as good as any. Hopefully, after Ramadan?

you guess is as good as any. Hopefully, after Ramadan?

We do know one thing (at least those who live in KSA), it won't be done during Ramadan.

Seriously haven't you seen the kiosk's to the far left in DMM? They are collecting dust for over a year.

yeah, too bad the massive DMM airport is so underutilized. Most use BAH and just drive over the causeway.

yeah, too bad the massive DMM airport is so underutilized. Most use BAH and just drive over the causeway.

DMM is the largest airport in the world square miles wise. I believe 300 square miles. Amazing considering it is one terminal and the whole damn thing is built out of limestone or travertine. They emptied a couple quarries with that build.