When planning to take your family to Saudi Arabia on a short-term visit, it is essential to understand the requirements for family visit visa in Saudi Arabia. This visa category is extended to residents and citizens of the Kingdom to invite their immediate family members to the Kingdom temporarily.
The reunion with loved ones, a special event, or simply high-quality time together, the family visit visa to Saudi Arabia, as facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), can help to cement family bonds.
Saudi Arabia has attempted to simplify the visa application process by utilizing electronic mediums, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Absher portal. There are, however, specific requirements and eligibility guidelines that must be met before the visa is granted.
This comprehensive blog will guide you about requirements for Saudi family visa, application process, processing time, and other essential details.
What is a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia?
This document allows family members of residents or citizens in Saudi Arabia to visit the Kingdom within a specified timeframe. It is supposed to be used mainly with immediate family members, including:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents
- Parents-in-law
Typically, this type of Saudi visa visit has a validity of 30 to 90 days, but this can be extended depending on the type of visa issued and the applicant’s specific circumstances.
Who is Eligible for a Saudi Family Visit Visa?
Only individuals who are legally residing or working in Saudi Arabia are eligible to apply for this visa. The sponsor (a Saudi citizen or Iqama holder) must have an active residency status and fulfill all the requirements for a visit visa in Saudi Arabia, as specified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
The sponsors must be:
- Inviting of close family by Saudi nationals outside the country
- The expatriates with a legitimate Iqama (residency permit)
It is worth mentioning that friends or extended family members, such as cousins, uncles, or aunts, cannot fall under this category of the visa.
Requirements for Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia
To have a successful application, the following are the Saudi visa family visit requirements you need to meet.
- Original Iqama of the sponsor
- Filled visa application form via the MOFA website
- Invitation letter by the employer of the sponsor (in case of expatriates)
- Copy of passport of the applicant and sponsor (validity of 6 months and above)
- White background photographs
- Relationship evidence (i.e., marriage certificate, birth certificates)
- Receipt of payment of visa fees
- Saudi Chamber of Commerce certification (for employees of a private company)
- Photocopy of the sponsor’s Saudi visa tourist or work permit, as applicable
Such documents should be presented both in original and copy form, if necessary. Providing false details or falsified documents may result in rejection.
Applying For a Family Visa in Saudi Arabia
The procedure of applying for this visa is not that complicated, provided that one does it in the right way. This is how it can be done in steps:
Request a Visa Online Through the MOFA Portal
To apply for a family visit visa Saudi Arabia MOFA, follow these steps on the official MOFA website. The first step is to visit the official Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) family visit visa website and complete the electronic form.
- Select the option “Individuals”, then select Visa Services, and then Family Visa Request.
- Type in your Iqama number, sponsor details, and personal information
- Submit the form and take a printout of the application reference number
Witnessed by the Employer of the Sponsor
For expatriates, the form should be signed and stamped by your employer and then attested by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
Submit the Application to the Invitee
The accepted request will bear a special document number, which is to be forwarded to the relative who applies outside Saudi Arabia.
Apply Via the Saudi Embassy or the Visa Centers
The sponsoring family member should accompany the invited member to the closest Saudi embassy or designated visa processing center, bringing all the necessary documents to finalize the procedure. In some countries, it is possible to apply via licensed travel agencies.
Visa Period and Validity
The Saudi family visa is usually granted a stay of one of the following:
- Single-entry visa: 30 days, 90 days (with the possibility of extension to 180 days)
- Multiple-entry visa: 90 days per entry, validity one year
Please note that violating visa validity may result in penalties, fines, or a ban.
Family Visa Extension
In case your family is already in Saudi Arabia, and you want to extend their stay, you may apply to extend their stay using the Absher portal. This application should be submitted before the visa expires.
Steps:
- Absher account login
- Visit Visa
- Enter the needed information and submit the extension fee.
The visa is usually renewable twice, in case the original visa was a single-entry one.
Causes of Rejection and Their Prevention
It can also be rejected even when you have fulfilled all the requirements of the Saudi family visa for the following reasons:
- Partial or wrong documentation
- Inconsistency of information between documents and the application form
- Those who have tried to invite ineligible family members
- Expired Iqama or passport
- The sponsor committed legal violations.
To circumvent these:
- Re-examine everything
- Provide a notarised, attested documents
- Ensure that the Iqama and visa status are valid and up to date.
Family Visit Visa Vs Tourist Visa
Though both enable the individual to enter the Kingdom, the Saudi visa tourist and the family visa have different objectives:
| Criteria | Family Visit Visa | Saudi Tourist Visa |
| Purpose | Seeing nuclear family members | Events, tourism, and Umrah (non-Hajj) |
| Eligibility | An invitation by a Saudi resident must be made | Nationals of qualifying states |
| Duration | 30–90 days (renewable) | Several entries within 90 days (multiple-entry) |
| Sponsorship Required? | Yes | No |
| MOFA Involvement | Required | Not required |
Conclusion
Being familiar with the requirements for family visit visa in Saudi Arabia is crucial for a successful application process. Following the instructions provided by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for family visit visa applications and ensuring that all required documents are correctly filed, families can reunite in the Kingdom without delay and avoid unnecessary inconveniences.
Whether on a short vacation or an extended visit, the Saudi visa for family visit will provide a legal and convenient pathway for family reunification.
When you decide to call your family in Saudi Arabia, begin by gathering the needed papers and applying using the right online platforms. This will ensure compliance with Saudi laws and increase your likelihood of approval.
FAQs
The validity of a single-entry visa can be extended to a total of 180 days, and the multiple-entry visa is valid for one year, with a 90-day stay permitted on each visit.
No, the visa only applies to immediate family members such as spouse, parents, and children.
Processing time is typically 3–7 business days, but may vary depending on the documentation and embassy workload.
No, a visit visa cannot be transformed into a residency permit. Your family will be required to leave the Kingdom upon expiration of the visa.
When verifying at the embassy, you might be required to present original documents. Carry originals at all times as well as notarized copies.
Yes, it is possible to reapply once the problems have been fixed or the necessary documentation has been submitted.
Overstaying may result in a penalty, fines, or even a temporary prohibition to re-enter Saudi Arabia. It is very important to either leave or renew your visa before its expiry.
Related posts
Leave a Comment