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


 

If you're an expatriate living and working in Saudi Arabia, you may want to bring your family members for a visit—whether for a short stay or extended time. The Family Visit Visa makes this possible, and the good news is: the process has become more streamlined and digital over the years.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about applying for a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia in 2025, including requirements, costs, step-by-step procedures, tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

🟢 What Is a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia?

A Family Visit Visa is a legal document issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) allowing foreign residents (expats) to bring their immediate family members—like spouse, children, parents, or parents-in-law—to the Kingdom for a temporary stay.

There are two types of Family Visit Visas:

  • Single Entry Visa: Valid for 30 to 90 days; renewable up to 180 days.

  • Multiple Entry Visa: Valid for 1 year; allows multiple 90-day stays but cannot be renewed after entry.

🔹 Who Can Apply for a Family Visit Visa?

To be eligible:

  • You must be a legal resident (Iqama holder) in Saudi Arabia.

  • Your Iqama profession must be eligible. Most white-collar jobs (engineers, doctors, teachers, accountants, IT professionals, etc.) are eligible.

  • You must be inviting first-degree relatives only:

    • Spouse

    • Children

    • Parents

    • Parents-in-law

Note: Siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends are not allowed under this visa.

📝 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for a Family Visit Visa in 2025

🔸 Step 1: Create a MOFA Account and Start the Application

  1. Visit the official MOFA Visa Services Portal.

  2. Select "Individuals" → "Resident".

  3. Choose “Request for a Family Visit Visa”.

  4. Log in using your Absher account credentials.

  5. Fill in your personal details:

    • Name

    • Iqama number

    • Nationality

    • Employer details

  6. Add your visitor’s information:

    • Full name (as in passport)

    • Date of birth

    • Passport number and expiry date

    • Relationship

    • Nationality

Make sure names match exactly with the passport and are entered in English and Arabic.

🔸 Step 2: Submit the Online Application

Once completed:

  • Submit the form online.

  • You’ll receive an application number.

  • Print the completed form for stamping and attestation.

🔸 Step 3: Get It Attested by Your Employer or Chamber of Commerce

Take the printed application and:

  • Have it signed and stamped by your employer, OR

  • Get it attested online by the Chamber of Commerce (COC) under your company.

Some employers handle the attestation on your behalf, especially if you work in a large company or government sector.

🔸 Step 4: Wait for MOFA Approval

  • Log back in to the MOFA portal regularly.

  • Use the application number and Iqama number to check the visa status.

  • Approval usually takes 2 to 7 working days.

Once approved, you’ll receive a visa authorization document (electronic approval slip).

🔸 Step 5: Send the Visa Slip to Your Family

After approval:

  • Send the MOFA visa approval slip, passport copies, and other documents to your family.

  • They’ll use these documents to get the visa stamped from the Saudi embassy or authorized visa center in their country (such as VFS Tasheel or Etimad).

📑 Documents Required

Here’s a breakdown of the required documents:

✅ From the Applicant (You in Saudi Arabia)

  • Valid Iqama copy

  • Passport copy

  • MOFA visa application printout

  • Attested employer letter (if required)

  • Salary certificate (sometimes required)

  • Proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate; translated and attested)

✅ From the Visitors (Family in Home Country)

  • Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)

  • Passport-size photo

  • Visa approval slip

  • Relationship proof (attested)

  • Medical insurance (done during visa stamping)

  • Visa application fee (usually SAR 300–500)

  • Polio or COVID-19 certificate (if applicable in their country)

💳 Visa Fees and Insurance

Visa Type    Fee (Approx.)Insurance
Single Entry    SAR 300      Yes (required)
Multiple Entry    SAR 500–1000      Yes

The visitor will also need to purchase insurance (linked to visa application) which covers basic medical needs during their stay in the Kingdom.

🔁 How to Extend a Single Entry Visit Visa

You can extend a single-entry family visit visa through Absher:

  1. Go to Absher

  2. Log in → Choose “Extend Visit Visa”

  3. Enter the visitor’s border number

  4. Pay the extension fee (SAR 100 for 30 days)

  5. You can extend up to 180 days total

🟨 Multiple-entry visit visas cannot be extended.

❗ Important Rules & Tips

  • Visitors must exit before the visa expiry or face fines of SAR 25,000+.

  • No work is allowed under this visa, even part-time or freelance.

  • Travel within GCC countries is not allowed unless you hold a multiple-entry visa and check the visa requirements of that country.

  • Avoid making mistakes in the application (misspelling names, incorrect dates) – it can lead to delays or rejections.

  • Apply well in advance—especially during Ramadan, Hajj, or school holidays, when approval times are longer.

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I apply for a visa for my brother or sister?

No. Only immediate family are allowed: parents, spouse, children, in-laws.

Q2: Can I bring my wife and children together?

Yes. You can add multiple visitors in a single application.

Q3: What if my Iqama is about to expire?

You must have at least 90 days of validity on your Iqama to apply.

Q4: How long can my parents stay on a multiple-entry visa?

They can stay for 90 days per visit, up to a total of 1 year, but they must exit and re-enter every 90 days.

Q5: Can the visa be used to apply for a permanent family visa?

No. The Family Visit Visa is temporary. For permanent relocation, a Dependent Iqama (Family Residence Visa) is required through a different process.

🔗 Related Blog Posts

✈ Final Thoughts

Applying for a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia is a straightforward but document-heavy process. With the right preparation and accurate information, you can reunite with your loved ones without unnecessary delays. The process is now largely digital, making it more accessible for expats to apply online, track applications, and get support.

Bringing family to Saudi Arabia, even temporarily, can make your expat journey more meaningful. Just make sure to follow the rules, meet all visa requirements, and plan ahead.

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