Saudi Arabia to issue passports for camels

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new project to issue passports for camels, a step the government says will help better regulate the sector and boost confidence in the kingdom’s camel trade at home and abroad.

According to a statement, the project was formally launched on Tuesday evening by Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti.

The ministry said that the initiative aims to bring greater order to the camel sector by properly identifying animals, documenting ownership and improving the efficiency of related services. Officials believe the move will also strengthen trust in Saudi Arabia’s camel markets at both the local and international level.

Under the scheme, detailed information about each camel will be recorded, including its owner, breed and health status. This data will be linked to verified regulatory and veterinary records, with the passport serving as an official document for identification and reference.

Each camel passport will carry a microchip number, a unique passport number, the animal’s name, date of birth, breed, gender, colour and place of birth. It will also mention the date and location where the passport was issued, along with photographs taken from both sides to ensure clear identification.

The document will also include a vaccination section, where immunisation details will be entered and certified by a licensed veterinarian through their name, signature and official stamp.

The ministry said the passport system will play a key role in regulating camel sales and trade by tightening controls on buying, selling, transportation and documentation.

Figures released by the ministry in June 2025 showed that Saudi Arabia is home to more than 2.23 million camels. Unofficial estimates suggest the kingdom has around 80,000 camel owners, placing it among the countries with the largest camel populations worldwide.