New Contactless E-Gate Unveiled at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh

The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) unveiled a new contactless e-gate system at the Ministry of Interior pavilion during LEAP 2026, held from 31 August to 3 September 2026 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh.

The self-service border-control gate lets travelers pass at international ports and airports simply by moving the palm of their hand over a reader without touching it. The system automatically verifies the traveler's identity using biometrics and AI sensing technologies, then opens the gate — with no need for travel documents or fingerprint scanning.

The e-gate is part of a broader Ministry of Interior initiative to enhance digital operations, streamline passenger movement, and cut waiting times at international ports. Similar hand-swipe biometric gates are already in use at NEOM Bay Airport, where travelers pass with no physical contact.

Why it matters for travelers

Saudi airports — King Khalid in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz in Jeddah, King Fahd in Dammam, and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz in Madinah — already operate 152 automated e-gates that speed up passport control and allow self-service processing in seconds. At King Khalid International Airport, e-gates in Terminals 3 and 4 let travelers whose biometric data is stored in passport systems complete procedures without human intervention.

At LEAP 2026, the directorate also highlighted digital solutions linked to أبشر, including uploading dependent photos for passport issuance or renewal, updating passport information for residents, and viewing and presenting the digital Iqama through official digital identity channels.

The contactless e-gate is currently presented as a pilot innovation. No fees or paid subscription channels have been stated for using these gates.

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