How to Apply for a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia (2025 Guide)

For most expats living in the Kingdom, the ultimate goal isn't just the tax-free salary; it's the ability to share this life with the people they love.

Whether you want to bring your parents for Umrah, have your spouse join you for a few months, or introduce your children to the Red Sea coast, the Family Visit Visa is your golden ticket.

In the past, this process was a nightmare of paperwork, "Wasta" (connections), and long queues at government offices. In 2025, the process has moved almost entirely online via the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) platform.

However, the system can still be confusing.

What is the difference between a 90-day stay and 365-day validity?
Can I really just drive to Bahrain to extend the visa?
Why did my application get stuck at the Chamber of Commerce?

This guide is your complete handbook. I have helped dozens of colleagues navigate this process, and I’m going to walk you through every single step, cost, and hidden trick.

Part 1: Eligibility (Who Can You Invite?)

Before you start filling out forms, you need to know if you are actually eligible.

1. The "First Degree" Rule

Saudi Arabia is strict about who counts as "Family." You can easily invite:

Parents: Father and Mother.
Spouse: Husband or Wife.
Children: Sons and Daughters (under 18 is easiest, but over 18 is possible).

The "In-Law" & Sibling Gray Area:

Parents-in-Law: In 2025, it is becoming much easier to invite your mother-in-law or father-in-law, but it sometimes requires extra approval.
Siblings (Brothers/Sisters): This is hit-or-miss. Sometimes MOFA approves it instantly; sometimes they reject it. It often depends on your Iqama Profession.

2. The Profession Myth

Years ago, "Laborers" or "Watchmen" could not bring their families. The Good News: In 2025, this rule has been massively relaxed. Almost all professions can now apply for a Family Visit Visa. However, your Iqama must be valid. (Check your validity using our [Ultimate Guide to Your Saudi Iqama]).

Part 2: The Cost Breakdown (Budgeting)

It is not just one fee. There are four different costs involved in bringing your family here.

MOFA Application Fee: 35 SAR (Paid online).
Chamber of Commerce (COC) Fee: 35 SAR (Paid by you or your company).
Visa Stamping (Enjaz/Tasheer): This is the big one. Depending on your nationality, this costs between $90 to $150 USD per person.
Medical Insurance: This varies by age.
- For a child: Maybe 50 SAR.
- For a parent over 60: Can be 500+ SAR.

Part 3: The Application Process (Step-by-Step)

Do not rush this. A simple spelling mistake can ruin everything.

Step 1: The MOFA Website

Go to the MOFA Visa Platform (search "MOFA Family Visit Visa").
Log in using your Nafath (National SSO) credentials.
Select "Family Visit Visa Application for Residents."
Fill in your details: Your Iqama number, mobile, and address.
Fill in Visitor details:
- CRITICAL WARNING: You must write their names exactly as they appear in their Passport. If the passport has "Muhammad," do not write "Mohamed." If the spelling doesn't match, the embassy will reject the visa later.
Submit. You will get a "Request Number" (starts with digits, usually 7...).

Step 2: The Chamber of Commerce (COC) Approval

Your status is now "Pending." It will stay pending forever unless you get it approved.

For Private Sector Employees: Your HR manager must approve this request online via the Chamber of Commerce portal.
The Cost: It costs 35 SAR. Ask your HR nicely, and they can do it in 2 minutes.
The Timeline: Once HR clicks "Approve," the status on the MOFA website usually changes to "Visa Document" within 3 to 5 days.

Step 3: The "Visa Document"

Log back into MOFA. If the text has turned green and says "Visa Document," you have succeeded!

Action: Download this PDF. Take a photo of it. WhatsApp it to your family back home.

Part 4: Stamping the Visa (Tasheer / VFS)

Your family cannot fly yet. They have a "Document," not a "Visa." They need the sticker (or digital QR code) in their passport.

Book an Appointment: Your family must visit the Saudi Visa Centre in their home country. In India/Pakistan/Philippines, this is usually handled by Tasheer (formerly VFS Tasheel).
Documents Needed:
- Original Passport (valid for 6 months).
- The MOFA Visa Document (printed).
- 2 White Background Photos.
- Proof of Relationship (Marriage Certificate / Birth Certificate). Note: These often need to be attested by the Saudi Embassy.
Pay the Fees: They will pay the "Enjaz" fee and the mandatory Medical Insurance fee at the center.

Wait Time: Usually 1-3 weeks depending on the country.

Part 5: The 365-Day Rule vs. 90-Day Stay (The Confusion)

This is where 90% of expats get confused. Most Family Visit Visas issued in 2025 are Multiple Entry / 365 Days Validity.

Validity (1 Year): The visa is valid for one year from the date of issue.
Duration of Stay (90 Days): This is the tricky part. Your family can only stay in Saudi Arabia for 90 days at a time.

The Rule: They cannot just stay for 365 days straight. Every 90 days, they must Leave the Country and re-enter to reset the clock.

Part 6: How to Extend the Visa (The "Border Run")

So, your family has been here for 85 days. You want them to stay longer. What do you do?

Option A: Online Extension (Absher) - The Gamble

Sometimes, for Single Entry visas, you can extend for another 90 days directly inside the Absher app.

Cost: 100 SAR + Insurance Extension (approx 100-400 SAR).
The Problem: For Multiple Entry visas, Absher often gives an error saying "Traffic Management does not allow extension."

Option B: The Bahrain "Border Run" - The Expat Tradition

If Absher fails, you must do a "Visa Run." The easiest way is driving to Bahrain.

Drive to the King Fahd Causeway: It is about 4 hours from Riyadh or 45 minutes from Dammam.
Exit Saudi Arabia: Stamp out.
Enter Bahrain: Pay the Bahrain Visa on Arrival fee (approx 50 SAR).
The U-Turn: You can technically have a coffee in Bahrain and turn around immediately (though I recommend staying for lunch!).
Re-Enter Saudi Arabia: When you stamp back in, the officer gives you a fresh 90-Day Entry.
Repeat: You can do this until the visa's final expiry date.

(Planning a drive to Bahrain? Ensure your car insurance covers GCC travel. Check our [Complete Guide to Buying a Used Car] for insurance tips).

Part 7: Important Tips & Warnings

1. Medical Insurance is Mandatory You cannot extend a visa without extending the insurance first. Use the "Tawuniya Visit Visa Extension" or similar sites to buy a cheap policy for the extension period. (Healthcare is expensive without it. Read our [Healthcare in Saudi Arabia Guide] to understand why).

2. Overstay Fines If you miss the 90-day deadline by even one day, the fine is 15,000 SAR. Yes, you read that right. Do not mess with the expiry date. Set a reminder on your phone for Day 85.

3. Performing Umrah The best perk of the Family Visit Visa? Umrah. Your family can perform Umrah as many times as they want. They just need to download the Nusuk app to book a slot. It is completely free.

Final Verdict

The Family Visit Visa is the best way to make Saudi Arabia feel like home. Seeing your parents play with your kids in a Riyadh park, or taking your spouse to perform Umrah, makes all the paperwork worth it.

Just remember: Check the spelling, track the 90-day limit, and enjoy your time together.

(Want to take your family shopping while they are here? Check out our guide to [Grocery Shopping: Lulu vs Tamimi]).