iGA launches ID card issuance and renewal service for citizens abroad
Manama, Apr. 19 (BNA): The Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) has launched a new eService for the issuance, renewal, and replacement of ID cards for Bahraini citizens residing abroad. The service is available via the national portal bahrain.bh, and applications may be submitted by citizens or their first-degree relatives.
Completed ID cards will be delivered to the applicant’s designated address outside the Kingdom of Bahrain via Aramex courier service, or collected in person by an authorised individual from the Identity Card Service Centre in Isa Town if within Bahrain.
The service aims to provide convenient digital access to ID card services for Bahraini citizens living abroad.
Duaa Sultan Mohammed, Deputy Chief Executive for Statistics and Population Registry at iGA, highlighted that the launch is part of the Authority’s continued efforts to enhance and develop government services. She emphasised the goal of improving quality and expanding access to allow citizens to complete their transactions from anywhere.
She noted that the launch aligns with the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT), to adopt advanced technologies in the delivery of public services, particularly identity card services. The initiative reflects iGA’s commitment to simplifying procedures and ensuring accessibility for citizens abroad.
Duaa Sultan explained that the new service is designed to be user-friendly, secure, and efficient, allowing applicants to submit requests through the portal to issue, renew, or replace ID cards. She emphasised the iGA’s commitment to continuous improvement, driven by citizen satisfaction and the adoption of innovative digital solutions that contribute to daily convenience and support Bahrain’s position in regional digital transformation.
These new eServices, available as part of the ID card service package to save time and effort for users, as citizens can submit multiple requests within the same process. All ready cards will be delivered via Aramex for those abroad, or authorised individuals can collect them in person from the Identity Card service center in Isa Town.
Further enhancements to ID card services include the ability to electronically update residential addresses for Bahraini children aged 21 and above in cases of divorce. The address holder can now approve such requests online through the “Update ID Card Residential Address” service.
Additionally, a new feature has been introduced within the upgraded identity card, allowing individuals who wish to register for organ donation to print the organ donation icon on their ID card according to their preference. Furthermore, additional information has been added to the identity card certificate, including the passport issuance date, the cardholder’s signature, and the status of the identity card.
The iGA invited citizens to benefit from these and other ID card services via bahrain.bh. For enquiries, the Government Services Contact Centre can be reached on 80008001, or through the Tawasul system and Tawasul app.
