Starting today, the Ministry of Interior has set three months to collect biometric fingerprints from all citizens and residents. Individuals who fail to comply within this time frame will have their transactions with the ministry frozen, such as renewing residency permits, vehicle registrations, and driving licenses, reports Al- Rai daily. According to security sources, the deadline is set for June 1.

Approximately 670,000 people, primarily residents, are yet to undergo the fingerprinting process. Since the initiation of the biometric fingerprint project last year, the General Department of Criminal Evidence has recorded about 1.78 million citizens and residents who have undergone fingerprinting at various land, air, and sea border crossings, as well as designated centers.

Of the total individuals fingerprinted, around 900,000 are citizens, while approximately 880,000 are residents. However, about 1.1 million individuals under the age of 18 are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement. It is imperative for those who have not yet undergone biometric fingerprinting to schedule an appointment via the Ministry of Interior’s website for one of the designated sites, typically located within the Public Security Directorates across all governorates for citizens. Residents can visit allocated sites in the Ahmadi and Jahra governorates. Additionally, fingerprinting can be completed upon returning from travel using devices installed at air, land, and sea ports. Failure to comply by the June 1 deadline will result in the suspension of transactions with the Ministry of Interior.