Expatriate iqama holders living in Saudi Arabia can apply for a family visit visa to bring their family or relatives members to Saudi Arabia to stay with them. This article describes the updated process for obtaining a single and multiple family visit visa.
Who is eligible for a Family visit visa?
In Saudi Arabia, the family visit visa can be requested for the following members:
- Wife.
- Children.
- Father.
- Mother.
- Father-in-Law.
- Mother-in-Law.
- Brother/Sister and their children.
- Brother-in-Law.
- Sister-in-Law.
- Grandparents.
- Paternal Aunt/Maternal Aunt
Also Read: How to convert Family Visit Visa to Resident Iqama in Saudi Arabia?
Requirements for the visa
- 3 months of Iqama validity.
- Acceptable Profession.
You need the following documents to fill the family visit visa application;
- Applicant’s passport.
- Saudi visa of the Iqama holder person applying for the visa.
Step 1: Log in to MOFA.gov
Open this website and click on the Citizens and Residents > Resident > Family Visit Visa Application for Residents.
- Open this MOFA website Family Visit Visa Application for Citizens/Residents of KSA
- Click on the “Login” button.
- Enter your Iqama Number.
- Approve the request access on mobile Nafath app.
On the next page of the Family Visit Visa Application for Residents application, the page contains some details such as your name, the Iqama profession, the date of birth, and the nationality, sponsor name and you have to only enter (Entry Visa Number).
Saudi entry visa number is written on the work visa stamped on your passport at the time of first arrival into Saudi Arabia. In case you were born in KSA, you can leave the field blank.
Also Read: How to Activate Digital Iqama on Mobile without Internet in Saudi Arabia?
Click on the “Add” button. which showing below (Wanted To Visit:)
Now write all the details of the applicant who wants to come to Saudi Arabia on a family visit visa. Only the name will be written in English and all other details to be written in Arabic.
Applicant Details (Personal Information of Visit Visa Person)
On the following page, please provide the personal information of the family visit visa applicant, including:
- Name as it appears on the passport, in ENGLISH ONLY.
- Complete the rest of the application in Arabic.
- Date of birth.
- Place of birth.
- Gender.
- Occupational status: Unemployed.
- Mobile number.
- Religion.
- Relationship. Select “Others” if you are applying for a family visit visa for someone else, such as a brother or sister.
Type of Visa
- عدد مرات الدخول: Single Entry/Multiple Entry.
- مدة الصلاحية باليوم: Visa Validity after stamping.
- مدة الاقامة باليوم: Visa Duration in one stay.
- The single-entry visit visa is issued for a period of 30 days only with 5 possible extensions of 30 days each i.e. 180 days.
- The multiple-entry visit visa is issued for a period of 90 days only with 1 possible extension of 90 days each i.e. 180 days.
Also Read: How to Apply for Permanent Family Visa in Saudi Arabia
If you want to apply for a family visit visa for more than one family member, click on the “Addition” button again to enter the details of the second applicant who wants to come to KSA. Otherwise, write;
- الغرض من الزيارة: زيارة عائلية
Also Read: Employee is Entitled to 30-day Full Pay Sick Leave in Saudi Arabia
On the last page of the Saudi family visit visa application, the MOFA system will generate an application number.
- Save the application number for future use.
- Print the application for further processing.
Step 02: Submit the application
- In the next step, you need to submit the application to your employer to sign and stamp it.
- After this, submit the application to the chamber of commerce where your employer is registered.
Step 03: Check Visit Visa Application Status
Now keep on checking the family visit visa status from the MOFA website. As soon as the family visit visa is approved, send it to the country from where your family wants to enter KSA. https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/
In some cases, the MOFA requests some additional documents from the Iqama holder before approving the visa. If this is the case, you need to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with the required documents.
Step 04: Submit the application to the Saudi Embassy
Your family will contact an agent to submit the application to the Saudi Embassy or Saudi Consulate. In Pakistan, your family will have to book an appointment with Etimad.
At this point, you need to pay the fee for the family visit visa to your agent. Here is an approximate breakup of the fee;
- Visa Fee: SR 300.
- Insurance: SR 100.
- Other Charges: SR 500.
- Total Fee: SR 800 approx.
Make sure the application is submitted to the Saudi Embassy within the family visit visa validity.
Also Read: Iqama Renewal Fees for Expatriates and Family Dependents (2024)
Step 05: Check Saudi Visa Status
After submitting your passport to the embassy, you can check the Saudi Visa status with passport number online.
If the visa is stamped, you need to book a return ticket for the family visit visa holder. Saudi authorities have the right to deport a visit visa holder if he does not have a return ticket.
Family Visit Visa through Istiqdam
In some cases, you might have to apply for the family visit visa through Istiqdam. Here is how you need to proceed;
Required Documents
- Get the appointment from Istiqdam.
- Download the family visit visa application form, fill it in Arabic, and get it attested by the Chamber of Commerce.
- Introduction letter issued by the employer and stamped by the chamber of commerce.
- Copy of marriage certificate if you are applying for in-laws.
- Copy of Iqama and Passport.
Visit the Istiqdam office
- Submit all the documents to the Istiqdam office and get a Green and White paper from them.
- After this fill the application online following the guidelines given above. Here is the link https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Home/Services/citizens
Visit the MOFA
The last step is to visit the MOFA with a print of your online application along with the paper given to you by the Istiqdam.
Once the documents are submitted, you can check the status of approval of application online.
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