Saudi Arabia plans to open special counters for expatriates at airports to speed up entry procedures, a senior Passport Department official said.

The move is part of the department's expansion plans, Col Mohammed Al-Hussain, spokesman for the department in Makkah region, was quoted as saying in an Arab News report.

The counters will cover specailly with those with re-entry visas, he said during a phone-in programme conducted by the newspaper.

He also said a visit visa can be converted into a permanent residency permit for a close family member of an expatriate worker under special conditions. However, such a request has to be approved by the Interior Ministry, he added.

He said those expatriates who don’t have anyone to look after their parents, can approach the legal and studies cell at the Passport Department with their case. The department will rule on such cases by looking into all aspects of the request and their genuineness, he said in the report.