The Ultimate 2025 Guide To The Saudi Consulate In Houston: Services, Digital Transformation, And Key Contacts

For the thousands of Saudi citizens, students, and expatriates across the vast US South and Midwest, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Houston, Texas, serves as a critical lifeline and administrative hub. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Consulate continues to modernize its offerings, embracing the Kingdom's Vision 2030 digital transformation to streamline essential services like passport renewal and documentation. This comprehensive guide provides the most current information, official contacts, and a detailed breakdown of the services available at the Houston Consulate.

The Consulate General, situated in the bustling heart of Houston, acts as the primary diplomatic and consular representation for a large geographic area, providing crucial support for everything from emergency assistance to complex legal attestation. Understanding its structure and the latest digital procedures is essential for a seamless experience with Saudi government services while abroad.

Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Houston: Official Profile & Contact Details

The Houston Consulate is one of the Kingdom's most important diplomatic missions in the United States, serving a significant population of Saudi nationals, including a large student body affiliated with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM). Its mission is to protect the interests of Saudi citizens and facilitate governmental affairs with the US.

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• Official Name: Consulate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Houston
• Consul General: The Honorable Shafi Bajad Al Otaibi (Confirmed active as of July 2024)
• Address: 5718 Westheimer Road, Suite 1500, Houston, Texas 77057-5745
• City and State: Houston, Texas (TX)
• General Phone Number: (713) 785-5577
• Fax: (713) 785-1163 or 713-273-6937
• Official Email (Consular Affairs): ustxcon@mofa.gov.sa
• Jurisdiction: Covers a wide area, including the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Digital Transformation: Key Consular Services for Saudi Citizens (Mawatin Services)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has significantly moved its citizen services online, making the process of handling vital paperwork more efficient. While the Consulate's physical office on Westheimer Road remains open for necessary in-person appointments, many initial steps and applications are now handled through the official MOFA portal.

1. Passport Services (Tajdeed Jawaz Al-Safar)

Passport-related services are among the most frequently requested. Saudi citizens in the US can renew their passports without traveling back to the Kingdom, a massive benefit for students and long-term residents.

• Passport Renewal: Citizens can process the renewal of an expired or soon-to-expire Saudi passport. The process typically requires online application submission through the MOFA services portal before a potential in-person visit.
• Lost or Damaged Passports: The Consulate assists in issuing a replacement passport after the loss or damage is officially reported to the relevant Saudi authorities (Jawazat).
• Issuing New Passports: This service is available for newborns or first-time applicants residing abroad.

2. Personal Status and Legal Documentation (Ahwal Shakhsiya)

The Consulate is responsible for legalizing and attesting personal status documents, a critical step for documents to be recognized in both the US and Saudi Arabia.

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• Electronic Power of Attorney (E-Wakalat): This is one of the most significant recent updates. Citizens can now issue an electronic Power of Attorney (Wakalah) through the Consulate, which is instantly recognized by the Saudi Ministry of Justice. This digital service has replaced the lengthy traditional paper-based process.
• Marriage and Divorce Registration: Processing and attesting documents related to marriage and divorce that occur in the US.
• Birth Registration: Registering the birth of a Saudi citizen born in the United States and issuing a Saudi birth certificate.
• Authentication and Attestation: Legalizing official documents, including educational certificates (often in coordination with SACM), commercial documents, and signatures, for use in the Kingdom.

Visa and Foreigner Services: A Gateway to Saudi Arabia

The Consulate General also plays a crucial role in facilitating travel and business into the Kingdom by processing various types of visas for US citizens and foreign nationals residing in its jurisdiction. This includes facilitating the necessary visa stamping and document requirements.

• Business Visas: For US and foreign business professionals traveling to the Kingdom for commercial activities.
• Tourist Visas: While the Kingdom offers a popular electronic visa (e-Visa) for tourists, the Consulate handles certain complex or specific tourist visa applications.
• Work and Residence Visas: Processing visas for individuals who have secured employment or residence sponsorship in Saudi Arabia.
• Hajj and Umrah Visas: Facilitating the necessary documentation for pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah.

Important Visa Procedures to Note

All visa applicants must first complete the online application via the official Saudi visa portal. The Consulate then receives the application for processing. Due to the high volume of applications, many applicants choose to use certified visa agencies to ensure all documentation is correctly prepared before submission to the Consulate on Westheimer Road.

Navigating the Consular Appointment System

For most services, particularly those requiring the submission of original documents or a biometric scan, an in-person appointment is mandatory. The Consulate operates on a strict appointment-only basis to manage traffic and ensure efficient service delivery.

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• The MOFA Portal: The official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website is the only official channel for booking appointments. Users must first register and submit their service request online.
• Required Documents: Always confirm the exact required documents on the official MOFA website before your visit. Failure to bring all necessary originals and copies will result in a rejected application and a wasted trip to Houston.
• Timing: Consular working hours are generally from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, but service hours for citizens are often restricted to specific times. Always check the current schedule before planning your travel.

The Role of the Consul General and Community Outreach

The current Consul General, The Honorable Shafi Bajad Al Otaibi, is actively involved in community and diplomatic affairs. His role extends beyond administrative tasks to include fostering cultural ties and providing direct support to the Saudi community in the US.

For instance, the Consulate often coordinates with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) in Washington, D.C., to support Saudi students (Al-Tullab Al-Saudiyyin) in Texas and surrounding states on issues ranging from academic documentation to personal emergencies. The Consul General also frequently hosts and meets with Saudi delegations, such as the Saudi Scout Delegation, highlighting the mission's commitment to cultural and youth engagement.

Emergency Assistance and Citizen Support

For Saudi citizens facing genuine emergencies (legal, medical, or safety-related) outside of normal business hours, the Consulate maintains an emergency contact line. This critical service ensures that Saudi nationals can receive immediate diplomatic assistance and support from the Kingdom's representatives in the United States, especially during natural disasters or crises in the region.

In conclusion, the Saudi Consulate General in Houston is a dynamic and essential hub for the Saudi community in the US. By leveraging the latest digital services, particularly the new E-Wakalat system, and keeping abreast of the contact details and appointment procedures, citizens and visitors can ensure a smooth and efficient interaction with the Kingdom's diplomatic services.