How to get a saudi family visa 2025

Being away from family can be challenging, yet living as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia can be exciting. A Saudi family visa is essential if you’re employed in the Kingdom and wish to bring your loved ones to live with you or come visit for a while. This visa enables you to get back together and create memories with your parents, spouse, or kids. If the procedure seems complicated, don’t worry; once you’ve mastered the steps, it’s actually very simple. Everything you need to know about obtaining a Saudi family visa in 2025 will be addressed in this article. Whether you’re new to this or just need a refresher, anyone can follow along because we’ll use simple sentences and simple instructions.

A Saudi Family Visa: What Is It?

Expatriates who hold a valid residence permit (also known as an Iqama) are permitted to bring their immediate family members to Saudi Arabia with a Saudi family visa. There are two initial categories: a family visit visa for brief visits, such as a few months, and a permanent family visa for extended stays, usually connected to your Iqama. While the visit visa is suitable for short-term reunions, such as holidays or family gatherings, the permanent visa is best for families who wish to settle down together.

Usually, eligible family members consist of:

Your spouse (wife or husband)

Children (sons under the age of 18 and unmarried daughters of any age)

Parents (although there are additional guidelines)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and other platforms, such as Absher, oversee the process. Applying is now easy than ever thanks to recent updates in 2025, which are primarily completed online. Let’s examine how it operates.

Who Is Eligible for a Saudi Family Visa?

You must be a Saudi Arabian expatriate with a valid Iqama in order to apply. What else counts includes this:

Validity of Iqama:

When you apply, your Iqama must be valid for no fewer than of three months. First, renew it if it’s about to expire.

Employment and Salary:

You must have a steady job, preferably in a technical or professional capacity (labor-intensive occupations such as driving may not be eligible). Additionally, you must earn enough money to sustain your family; the precise amount will vary depending on your job and the number of dependents you have.

Sponsor Approval:

Your application needs to be granted by your sponsor or employer. Particularly for permanent visas, this is an important step.

While permanent visas are only valid for spouses, children, and occasionally parents, visitation visas allow you to invite siblings, grandparents, or in-laws. To avoid surprises, always verify your eligibility on the Absher platform or MOFA website.

Saudi Family Visa Types

Let’s examine the two primary choices:

Permanent Family Visa:

for family members to stay with you for a longer amount of time.

After they arrive, they receive their own Iqama.

valid for as long as your Iqama is in effect, which is usually renewed once a year.

Ideal for spouses and kids who intend to stay and possibly study or reside in Saudi Arabia.

Visa for Family Visits:

for brief trips such as 30 to 90 days (sometimes longer).

Single-entry (one visit) and multiple-entry (come and go within a year) options are available.

Excellent for vacations, family gatherings, or when you’re not ready to move permanently.

Both are applied for online, but they have different requirements and ways to apply.

Saudi Family Visa Requirements

To ensure a smooth start, collect these documents:

A copy of your current dwelling permit is your Iqama.

Copies of your passport and the passports of your family members (valid for a minimum of six months) are required.

Marriage and Birth Certificates: You must obtain a marriage certificate for your spouse. Obtain birth certificates for children. The Saudi Embassy in your nation of residence and occasionally MOFA must attest (verify) these.

Employment Proof:

Your work contract or a letter from your employer attesting to your position and pay.

Proof of Income:

Pay stubs or bank statements proving to your ability to provide for your family.

Proof of Accommodation:

To demonstrate that you have a place for your family, some applications require a rental agreement.

Medical Reports:

Vaccination records and health examinations may be required for family members older than sixteen.

Photos:

Each applicant must submit passport-sized photos.

A letter from your employer certifying your visa application is known as a sponsor letter.

Nafath Account:

In order to verify yourself during the online process, you must have an active Nafath app account.

Obtain translations and attestations for any documents that are not in Arabic. Double-check everything because the most common reason applications are denied is lacking or incorrect documentation.

A Comprehensive Guide to Family Visa Applications

Here’s how to apply in 2025 for a family visits visa or a permanent family visa. Because of Saudi Arabia’s efficient digital systems, the majority of the process takes place online.

Step 1: Sign up for Absher

If you don’t already have an account, go to the Absher website (absher.sa) and create one.

Enter your personal details and your Iqama number. Use your phone to confirm your account.

You’ll use Absher a lot because it’s the primary platform for government services.

Step 2: Obtain Sponsor Consent

Ask for authorization for your visa from your sponsor or employer. They must submit a signed letter for permanent visas. They might have to approve visitation visas online through MOFA or the Chamber of Commerce (if you work for a private company).

On the MOFA website, domestic workers, such as house drivers, can obtain direct sponsor approval.

Step 3: Complete the application

Use the Absher platform to apply for permanent family visas:

After logging in, choose “Services” and then “Family Visa Application.”

Enter your information as well as that of your family members (names, passport numbers, connections, etc.).

All necessary documents should be uploaded as scanned copies.

Use the MOFA visa portal (visa.mofa.gov.sa) to obtain a family visit visa:

Select “Residents’ Family Visit Visa Application.”

Enter the passport data and visa purpose for each family member (choose “Family Visit” in Arabic: زيارة أفراد الأسرة).

Choose a place to have their visa verified, such as the Saudi Embassy in their nation of origin.

Step 4: Pay the fees and submit

After verifying your application for mistakes, click “Submit.”

The type of visa determines the fees:

Permanent visa: Iqama issuance costs about SAR 400 per person, plus health insurance fees.

The cost of a visit visa is around SAR 300 for single entry and SAR 500 for multiple entries, plus SAR 10–20 for digital service fees.

Use a bank transfer or credit card to make an online payment through Absher or MOFA.

Step 5: Await Approval

It can take two to four weeks to obtain a permanent visa. Visas for visits can be obtained in two to five days, but if additional paperwork is required, the waiting period may increase.

Using your application number, check the status on Absher or MOFA’s Application Tracker.

Step 6: Stamping the visa (for visit visas)

When the visa arrives, your family members take it to a Saudi embassy or consulate in their nation in order it can be stamped. Their passports and any other requested documents will be required.

Step 7: Arrival and Upcoming Actions

Your family must obtain their Iqama within ninety days of their arrival in order to be eligible for permanent visas. That includes health insurance (often partially provided by your employer) and tests for illness.

Those with visitation visas are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia and remain for the duration of their stay. Absher allows extensions, but there are costs attached.

Expenses and Processing Duration

Permanent Family Visa:

The cost of Iqama is 400 SAR per person.

Health insurance: Vary (between SAR 500–1,000 annually per person).

Processing time: up to four weeks.

Visa for Family Visits:

SAR 300 for single entry; SAR 500 for multiple entries.

Additional costs: SAR 10–20 for insurance and digital services.

Processing time: 2–5 days; if busy, up to 2 weeks.

To prevent delays, always apply two to four weeks prior to departure.

Typical Causes of Rejection

Applications may be turned away if

Documents are inaccurate or lacking information.

Your income or labor does not fit the requirements.

Your sponsor is not on board.

You visited the MOFA website in English; instead, use the Arabic version with browser translation.

Double-check everything and adhere to instructions exactly to prevent this.

Advice for a Simple Way

Start Early: Submit your application well in advance of your family’s trip.

Use Arabic Websites: The Arabic MOFA website loads more quickly than the English one. If necessary, use Google Translate.

confirm the documents to make sure all of the certificates have been translated and attested.

Monitor Your Application: To stay informed, use MOFA’s tracker or Absher.

Seek Help: Consult a visa agency or your employer’s human resources department if you’re unsure.

After Arrival, What Takes Place?

For those with permanent visas:

Within ninety days, you’ll obtain an Iqama.

Enroll children in private schools (locals attend public schools).

Make health insurance plans.

For holders of visitation visas:

They can do Umrah (if they are Muslims) or travel throughout Saudi cities.

They are not permitted to work—violating this rule could result in consequences.

Final remarks

Online resources like Absher and MOFA have made it simpler than ever to obtain a Saudi family visa in 2025. These steps will help whether you want your family to live with you or just come for a special occasion. To reduce stress, gather the proof you have, obtain your sponsor’s approval, and apply as soon as possible. You’ll soon be spending quality time with your loved ones in the Kingdom if you maintain organization and abide by Saudi regulations.

Visit Absher (absher.sa) or the MOFA website (visa.mofa.gov.sa) for the most the most recent data. You can get guidance from a local visa agency or your employer if you have any questions.

As of 2025, this guide is based on public knowledge and information. For your specific circumstance, always confirm with official sources.

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