How to bring family to Saudi Arabia: Saudi Family Visit Visa eligibility, requirements, application, and extension explained

When planning to bring your loved ones to Saudi Arabia for a short-term visit, understanding the family visit visa process is essential. This visa allows residents and citizens of Saudi Arabia to invite their immediate family members for a temporary stay. Whether it's to reunite with family, celebrate a special occasion, or spend quality time together, this visa is an effective way to facilitate family visits. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the complete process of obtaining a family visit visa, from eligibility and requirements to how to apply, extend, and who can be invited.

What is a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Family Visit Visa is a type of visa that allows family members of residents or citizens to visit Saudi Arabia for a short period, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. This visa is primarily intended for immediate family members, including:

• Spouses
  
• Children
  
• Parents
  
• Parents-in-law
  
  
  

This type of visa is perfect for family reunions, tourism, or even attending religious events like Umrah. Visitors are allowed to travel freely within the Kingdom, but they cannot engage in work or long-term residency. Depending on the applicant's circumstances, the family visit visa can also be extended.

Who is eligible for a Family Visit Visa?

Eligibility criteria for the sponsor

To sponsor a family visit visa, the individual in Saudi Arabia must meet the following criteria:

• Saudi Citizens: Can invite immediate family members and, in some cases, even close friends.
  
• Expatriates: Must have a valid Iqama (residency permit) under a work visa. Dependent or student visa holders cannot invite family members for a family visit.
  
  
• The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and their residency must be valid for the entire duration of the visitor’s stay.
  
  

Eligibility criteria for the visitor
The family visit visa is intended for the sponsor's immediate family members, including:

• Spouses: A valid marriage certificate is required to prove the relationship.
  
• Children: The children must be the biological children of the sponsor. Birth certificates are necessary to prove the relationship.
  
• Parents: A birth certificate showing the names of the sponsor's parents will be required.
  
  

It is important to note that non-immediate family members, such as cousins, uncles, or aunts, do not qualify for this visa. Additionally, minors traveling without both parents may need additional documentation, such as notarized consent from the absent parent(s).

Key documents needed for a Family Visit Visa
For a smooth visa application, both the sponsor and the visitor need to prepare the following documents:

• Passport of the Visitor: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least two blank pages.
  
• Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs of the visitor against a white background.
  
• MOFA Invitation Approval: A printed copy of the invitation approval from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
  
• Sponsor’s Iqama or ID: For expatriates, a copy of the sponsor’s valid Iqama (residency permit) and, in some cases, a copy of the sponsor’s passport’s visa page.
  
• Proof of Relationship: Documents proving the relationship between the visitor and the sponsor, such as a marriage certificate for a spouse or a birth certificate for children and parents.
  
• Visa Application Form: The completed online visa application form, printed and signed.
  
• Visa Fee Receipt : A confirmation of payment for the visa fees.
  
• Travel Insurance: Mandatory health insurance, which can be purchased online through the Saudi MOFA.
  
• Consent Letter for Minors: If a minor is traveling with only one parent, a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s) is required.
  
  

These documents must be complete and accurate, as missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays or rejection of the application.

How to apply for a Family Visit Visa
Applying for a family visit visa can be done either online or offline, depending on your location and preference. Below is a detailed guide for both methods.

Online application process

Saudi Arabia has digitized much of the visa process to make it more accessible and faster, especially through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Absher platform.

Step 1: Sponsor prepares documents

The sponsor (the Saudi resident or citizen inviting family) must prepare all required documents:

• Original Iqama or Saudi ID
  
• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
  
• Copy of passport for both sponsor and visitor
  
• Passport-sized photos
  
• Visa application form filled via MOFA website
  
  

Step 2: Submit invitation request on MOFA portal

• The sponsor logs in to the MOFA e-visa portal: visa.mofa.gov.sa
• Complete the online application form with all necessary details about the visitor and the relationship
  
• Upload scanned copies of all required documents
  
• Submit the application and pay the visa issuance and processing fees online
  
  

Step 3: Receive MOFA approval

• After submission, the MOFA reviews the application and issues an approval or rejection
  
• MOFA approval usually takes 2 to 5 business days
  
• Once approved, the sponsor receives an official invitation number or approval letter
  
  

Step 4: Visitor applies for Visa at Saudi Embassy or consulate

• With the MOFA approval, the visitor can proceed to apply for the visa at the Saudi Embassy or consulate in their home country
  
• Submit the approval letter, passport, photographs, and other required documents
  
• Pay any embassy visa stamping fees if applicable
  
  

Step 5: Visa issuance and travel

• After embassy processing (usually 1 to 2 business days), the visa is stamped in the visitor’s passport
  
• The visitor can now travel to Saudi Arabia within the visa’s validity period
  
  

Offline application process

In countries or situations where online applications are not feasible or preferred, the visa can be applied for through the traditional offline method:

The sponsor or visitor must personally submit all required documents, including Iqama, relationship proof, passports, photos, and completed application forms, at the nearest Saudi Embassy or authorized visa processing center. In some countries, licensed travel agencies may assist with submission. The embassy reviews the application, forwards it to MOFA for approval, and upon receiving approval, stamps the visa in the visitor’s passport. Processing typically takes longer than online, after which the visitor can travel to Saudi Arabia within the visa’s validity period.

Visa fees and processing time

Visa fees

Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved in obtaining a family visit visa:

Fee Type Amount (USD) Amount (SAR) Details
Processing time

The overall processing time for a family visit visa typically takes about 7 to 10 business days, although it may vary depending on factors such as the embassy's workload or public holidays. Here’s a breakdown:

Processing Stage Timeframe Details
Note: Processing times may be longer during peak seasons, such as Eid holidays, so it's advisable to apply well in advance.

Extending a Family Visit Visa
Saudi Arabia’s Family Visit Visa lets residents and citizens invite immediate family for short stays of 30 to 90 days, extendable to 180 days for single-entry visas. Multiple-entry visas are valid for one year with 90-day stays each visit. If family members are already in Saudi Arabia, their visa can be extended online via the Absher platform.

Log into your Absher account at www.absher.sa

Select “Visa Services” under the “Workers” section.

Click on “Extend Exit and Re-entry for Sponsored Individuals.”

Choose the individual whose visa you want to extend.

Enter the necessary details and confirm the extension request.

Pay the required extension fee and track the status through Absher.

The extension request must be made before the visa expires to avoid penalties or fines.

Terms and conditions for Visa extension

• The remaining validity of the visa must be seven days or less, or no more than three days must have passed since its expiry, including the date of expiration.
• The visa holder (visitor) must be present within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• The visa holder’s passport must be valid at the time of the extension process.
• Both the applicant and the visa holder must be alive.
• The visa holder must not have any unpaid traffic violations.
• The health insurance coverage must include the requested extension period.
• Both single-entry and multiple-entry visit visas are eligible for extension.
• The visa extension fee must be paid.

The fee depends on the type and duration of your visa. For most visit visas, the cost to extend is usually around SAR 100. This generally allows for one renewal.