ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony held a meeting on the use of Saudi Visa Bio-Applications in which it was briefed that online fingerprint biometrics would be mandatory for pilgrims this year as well.

Giving presentations, the officials of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Etimad Office, informed the officials that pilgrims could use this application on their smartphones in three steps, including taking selfies, scanning passports, and fingerprints with the help of the mobile camera.

The fingerprint biometrics would be available free of charge from Etimad Offices across the country.

The religious affairs ministry’s spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said the instructions for using this mobile application would be available on the ministry’s website and social media.

People who are differently abled and are thus unable to provide fingerprints will need to upload computerized medical certificates from an authorized doctor.

The meeting was presided over the joint secretary for Hajj and wa sattended by the Hajj Wing officers besides representatives of private Hajj operators.