Travel Tips

Family Visa Saudi Arabia: Your Complete Guide

Aya Yesentayeva

August 8, 2025
21 min read

Family Visa Saudi Arabia: Everything You Need to Know

Key Highlights

The Saudi family visa lets family members of someone living or working in Saudi Arabia enter and stay in the country legally. You should know the difference between a visit visa and a residence visa.
You have to use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) online portal in Saudi Arabia to apply. You need to fill out an online application form and send your documents through the embassy.
The visa fees, how long the process takes, and who can get the visa all change based on your nationality and the kind of visa.
You must provide your original passport, your marriage certificate, and sometimes a notarized letter.
Knowing why a visa might get rejected and understanding how to apply again will help make the process smoother for you.
If you get your visa approved, your family can come join you in Saudi Arabia for your work, for Umrah, Hajj, or to be with you as a family.

Introduction

Bringing your family with you to Saudi Arabia is a big step when you live and work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The process for a family visa can look a bit hard at first. But if you get the right information, you can help your loved ones come and be with you with no trouble. The family visa, handled by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, gives a clear way for people who are not from Saudi or even for citizens to invite their family. It does not matter if you only want a short visit or a longer stay, as you need to understand what the rules and steps are to make your visa application work well.

Types of Family Visas in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has two main types of family visas. These are the family visit visa and the family residence visa. They are made for different needs and reasons. If you want your family to come for a short stay, then the visit visa is what you should get. This type lets your close family members be with you for a little while.

The family residence visa is for loved ones who want to stay with you for a long time. It is for people who want to live with you in Saudi for more than just a short visit.

As the applicant, you need to think about your family’s needs and what you all want to do in the future in Saudi Arabia. Each type of visa has different rules. Some things, like having a valid passport and proof of your family relationship, are needed for both the visit visa and the residence visa.

Family Visit Visa vs Family Residence Visa

The family visit visa and the family residence, or dependent, visa are made for different reasons in Saudi Arabia. The visit visa lets family members come to Saudi for a short time. They can stay up to 90 days and sometimes get more time if MOFA says yes. This visa is good for family vacations, quick trips, or for special events like Umrah.

The family residence or dependent visa lets your family live with you in Saudi Arabia for a longer time. Most people who get this visa are the spouse or young kids of someone who lives or works in Saudi. The person helping with the visa, like your husband or wife, needs to have a valid Iqama. You also need to show where the family will live and bring paperwork like your marriage and kids’ birth certificates.

People with the residence visa get some rights that visit visa holders do not. But they cannot work in Saudi unless their visa is changed. It is usually faster to get a visit visa. The residence visa takes more time because MOFA must check your details first and say it is okay.

Both visa types help families spend time in Saudi Arabia, but each has its own rules and steps you must follow.

Eligibility Criteria and Who Can Apply

Eligibility for a Saudi family visa is based on the status of the applicant and the link to the family member in Saudi Arabia. To bring relatives to Saudi, you need to have a valid residency card (Iqama) or be a Saudi citizen. You also need to show you have enough money and a place for them to stay, as asked by the authorities. The applicant will be asked to show papers that prove the family link, like a marriage certificate or a birth certificate, at the embassy.

Most visa types are given only to close family members. This is your husband or wife, your children, and sometimes your parents.
If a child or young person travels without both parents, you may need to show legal papers to prove who takes care of them.
The embassy may ask to see original passports, marriage certificates that have been attested, or letters that are notarised in some cases.

Some nationalities may have extra rules or may wait longer for the visa, as decided by Saudi officials. Before starting, always check with the embassy for any special rules on your application for a Saudi visa.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Starting the family visa process has a few steps. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs looks after all parts of this. First, you need to fill out an online application on the MOFA website. You have to enter all the needed details and upload the right documents. After the MOFA looks at your request and says yes, you will move to the next step. Take your documents, like your passport and visa referral note, to the nearest Saudi embassy or a visa center named by them. It is important that you do each step in the right way, or you might have a delay. Doing these in order will help you get ready for what comes next in the process.

Online Submission Through the MOFA Portal

The online application for a Saudi family visa is handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) portal. As an applicant, you need to go to the MOFA website and fill out the online application with up-to-date info. It is important that details like your passport number, names, and relationship match your supporting documents. This helps avoid problems later.

Fill in the online application on the MOFA portal (https://visa.mofa.gov.sa).
Attach scanned copies of your original passport and other important documents.
Get a visa referral note or a reference number after the first approval.
You or your sponsor might have to get the application checked by the Chamber of Commerce, especially for people who work as expatriate workers.

Once you send your online application, you can go on the website to track your visa status. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will give approval or ask for changes in a few business days. Doing the Saudi visa application online saves time and there is less paperwork, but you must get all information right so the embassy will accept your application.

Document Preparation and Official Approvals

Getting your documents ready can save you time and help you avoid getting your visa rejected. The Saudi visa application needs both the original and attested copies of your paperwork. Some documents have to be translated into Arabic, based on what the embassy asks for.

Marriage and birth certificates must be attested by the right authorities. Sometimes you may also need a notarised letter with them.
You must have your original passport. It should have at least six months left before it expires, and there must be successive empty visa pages in it.
If children or minors are travelling with only one parent or a legal guardian, a notarised letter giving permission might be needed.

After you have put together your documents, submit them to the Saudi embassy or visa centre. Your official approval depends on whether your paperwork is complete and real. The embassy will check every document. They might ask you for more details or ask you to explain points, so keep all your originals and any Arabic translations ready to show them.

Required Documents and Application Essentials

Giving the right documents is very important when you want to get a Saudi family visa. If you are an applicant, you have to show proof of your identity, your relationship with each family member, and that you are allowed to get the visa. You need to give the embassy your original passport, your marriage certificate if you are married, and birth certificates for the children. All of these must fit the Saudi rules. If you miss a document or something does not match, it could slow things down or mean your visa will not be given. Keep reading to see a full checklist and more details about what each family member has to bring to the embassy to get the visa.

Mandatory Documents Checklist

Having all the needed documents ready is very important for a smooth Saudi Arabia family visa process. The embassy and MOFA use these papers to check your identity, your relationship, and to see if you can get the visa.

Original passport with at least six months left before it expires and with many successive empty visa pages
Recent passport-sized photographs of the applicant
Attested marriage certificate for spouses, or birth certificate for children
Visa referral note or a printed MOFA approval
Copy of sponsor’s Iqama or national ID, if needed
Notarised letter if the applicant is a minor and not traveling with both parents
Proof of where you will stay in Saudi Arabia

All your documents must be changed into Arabic and checked by the right offices. Make sure every detail is correct. Mistakes or missing papers are a top reason for delays with your Saudi visa. Carrying both your original passport and copies helps the embassy finish your work faster and makes the process simpler.

Additional Requirements for Spouse, Children, and Other Relatives

When you are applying for a family residence visa to bring your spouse and children to Saudi Arabia, you might need to share more papers to show your relationship and legal guardianship.

Spouses: Give an attested marriage certificate. You should also send copies of both your passport and your spouse’s passport.
Children: Share their birth certificates. You may need a consent letter if the child is traveling with only one parent. Give proof of guardianship as well, if needed.
Other family members (such as parents): You should give more receipts to show they depend on you and to prove the legal relationship.

Legal guardians must make sure every paper is current and properly stamped. The saudi embassy takes a close look at these documents, especially for children and less common dependents. When you prepare a careful visa application with all the right paperwork, you help make the process faster and easier for your family in saudi arabia.

Fees, Processing Time, and Key Considerations

Knowing about the costs and timing for getting a Saudi family visa can help you plan better. The visa fees can be different based on your nationality, the type of visa, and how fast you need it. You have to pay the fee when you send your application to the Embassy or other official places. The time it takes to process your visa can be only a few days, but sometimes it can be a few weeks. This can depend on things like how busy it is at the time and if you need extra document checks. People who apply should keep in mind that there may be things that slow down the process. So, it is good to have all the right papers ready to save time and not have your visa get rejected or delayed.

Current Visa Fees and Common Processing Timelines

Visa fees and processing times are subject to change, but the following table provides a general overview for most Saudi Arabia family visa applications:

Fee Type	Amount (SAR)	Details
Visa Issuance	300–2,000	Depends on nationality and visa type
Medical Test	300–500	If required for specific applicants
Iqama (residence permit)	600/year	Required for residence visa dependents
Electronic Services	40	Digital processing charge
Insurance Processing	40	Required, varies by insurance provider
Medical Insurance Premium	112–375+	Mandatory for all applicants

Most applications are processed within 2–4 weeks, though this is affected by embassy workload and the accuracy of your documents. Delays may arise during peak travel seasons or if additional verification is required.

Factors Affecting Approval and Delays

There are some main things that can slow down or even stop your Saudi family visa from being approved.

The most common problems are incomplete or wrong papers, like if you do not have your marriage certificate, or if names do not match.
The embassy may have to check more things if you come from a country that gets a closer look, or if there are official holidays that make the process slower.
There may be more applications during busy times like Eid, and this can also lead to delays.

It is good for people applying to collect all their needed papers, make sure they are stamped, and check every single detail before giving them to the embassy. If you see that the visa is taking more time than normal, you should contact the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy. This can help clear up any issues and might speed things up with your application.

Common Reasons for Family Visa Rejection in Saudi Arabia

It can feel tough if your family visa application gets turned down by MOFA or the Saudi embassy. But if you know the common reasons why this can happen, you may avoid them. Most of the time in Saudi Arabia, applications are rejected because paperwork is not complete, information does not match, or proof of relationships is not clear. There can also be mistakes in your passport details or missing translations. These things can cause problems with your visa. If you know these traps and get ready well, you increase your chances. This will help your family get a visa for Saudi Arabia and come to be with you.

Most Frequent Issues and Pitfalls

Applicants get rejected for many reasons that happen again and again. The most common ones include:

The marriage certificate or birth papers be missing or not properly signed.
Some of the details on the application do not match what is on the papers you give.
The original passport data is not complete, or there are not enough successive empty visa pages.
If a child is traveling without both parents, the notarised letter is missing.

The embassy takes time to check every application carefully. They do this to make sure all Saudi and MOFA rules are met. To not run into these problems, check every document you send. You have to make sure all translations and stamps are up to date. Look closely so all the information is the same as what is in your passport. If you are unsure, go over the embassy’s official checklist or get help from a trusted visa consultant. Like Matthew Jones said, “Success is in the details—missing one can cost you everything.”

How to Strengthen and Re-apply Your Application

If your family visa application is turned down, you can apply again after you fix the mistakes that caused it to be refused. To make your new visa application stronger, you should:

Look at the feedback given by the embassy and take care of all the points they list.
Check again that every document (like the marriage certificate or visa referral note) is properly attested and translated into Arabic.
Add a notarised letter or more proof of your relationship, if the embassy asks for it.

When you do these extra things, it shows the embassy your care and hard work. This can help your visa get approved. You do not have to wait for a set time to send a new visa application, so you can fix the errors and try again soon. Make sure every part of your application is right. If you still do not know why the embassy said no, you can ask them or talk to someone who deals with immigration. They can help you find out what went wrong.

Extending or Renewing a Family Visa in Saudi Arabia

Your family’s plans might change, and you may need to extend or renew your Saudi visit or residence visa. The rules for this can be different for each visa type. For a visit visa, you may be able to get more time by using the Absher portal or by going to Jawazat offices. A residence visa usually needs to be renewed each year. It depends on the sponsor’s Iqama for renewal. If you stay in Saudi past the allowed time, there will be penalties, so be sure to act on time. The next parts will tell you how to handle extensions, and what happens if you miss the deadline for your saudi visa.

Extension Rules for Visit and Residence Visas

Extensions for Saudi family visit and residence visas rely on the type of visa you have now, and you must follow the current rules.

You can often get a visit visa extension online by using MOFA or the Absher platform. However, it depends on Saudi policy at that moment and the nationality of your family.
If you have a residence visa (a dependent visa), you must renew it each year. The renewal needs a valid sponsor’s Iqama and updated papers linked to the visa.

To apply for an extension:

Send your request before your visa runs out.
Pay any fees using the official websites and not by any other way.
Give new or updated documents if someone asks you.

Visa extensions in Saudi are not promised. They might be refused if you break the rules or if the government policy changes. Always check your visa’s status often. Start to renew your Saudi visit visa early so you do not risk staying past the time allowed by MOFA or other Saudi authorities.

Limitations and Penalties for Overstaying

Overstaying a Saudi family visa can lead to big problems for both the visitor and the sponsor. Saudi Arabia has tight rules, and there are real penalties to help make sure people follow them.

The government gives out fines right away for each day you stay after your visa runs out. The fines get bigger with each extra day you stay.
If you break these rules again and again, you can be banned from entering Saudi Arabia or even be sent back to your home country. It can also make it hard for you to get any other Saudi visa in the future.
If you overstay and it was because of your own actions, the embassy will not help you avoid paying these fines.

To avoid all these problems, you should always know when your visa runs out. Make sure you ask for an extension ahead of time if you need it, or leave Saudi Arabia before your visa ends. If you have a serious problem or something stops you from leaving on time, reach out to the embassy and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs as soon as possible to get help.

Conclusion

To sum up, knowing how family visas in Saudi Arabia work is very important if you want to move smoothly. You need to know the difference between a family visit visa and a residence visa. You should also understand how to apply and what you need for each one. This will help you avoid problems and waiting too long. Make sure you have all the documents you need. Keep track of the fees and the time it might take for your saudi arabia visa to get approved. You must also know why a visa could get rejected. If you are ready to go, now is a good time to ask for help with your visa application. You and your family can enjoy this new step, especially if you use the right information and tips about the saudi visa process.

Real-life Experiences: Living and Working in Saudi Arabia with Family

Moving your family to Saudi Arabia means you will find new ways of life that mix modern things with deep old traditions. Many people who come from other countries say that after you finish all the work for your visa and paperwork, everyday life in Saudi is good. Most homes in modern areas called compounds have things like a pool and places for kids to play. Schools for kids in this country offer many types of lessons and welcome people from many other places.

If you have a work visa, your partner and children can spend daily life with you. So, you can go out together in Riyadh on weekends or visit old and famous places there. Special times like Umrah and Hajj can make strong and warm family memories for all of you.

At first, it may not be easy to follow some of the local rules, such as how you dress or how you should act in public places. It takes a bit of time to get used to it. But many families find that if you are kind and respect the Saudi way of life, you start to feel at home fast and make new friends soon. Living in Saudi Arabia with your family can change you in good ways and help you make great memories that all of you will keep for many years.

Sponsoring Non-Traditional Family Members: Rules and Exceptions

Saudi Arabia’s visa rules usually let you sponsor only close family members. But, there are times when the rules allow someone like an adult child, a brother or sister, or a parent who depends on you to come as well. If you want to bring a family member who is not always covered, you have to ask for special permission through the embassy. You need to show clear proof that this person depends on you, that you have legal guardianship, or that there are humanitarian reasons.

The Saudi embassy and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check these requests very carefully. You may be asked for more paperwork, letters that are legally checked, or proof showing that no other guardian can take care of the family member. Approval is not common, but it is possible if the reason is real. So, before you send your application, it helps to talk to the embassy or an immigration specialist. This can help you know your chances and be sure you have all documents needed for your family member’s visa case with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the embassy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a family visa online, and what is the official website?

Yes, you can apply for a Saudi family visa online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. To do this, go to https://visa.mofa.gov.sa. You can use this site for the application process, to check your status, and to upload any needed documents. The embassy will give you any more instructions after you finish your online application.

What are the main differences between a family visit visa and a residence (dependent) visa?

A family visit visa lets your relatives stay with you in Saudi Arabia for a short time. This type of visit visa is usually good for a few months. People use it when they want to come visit but not live there for good. A residence (dependent) visa, on the other hand, is for family members who want to live with the main visa holder in Saudi Arabia for a long time. So, in short, a visit visa is for visits, but a residence visa lets people live in Saudi Arabia. Both visa types are important when you, your family, or other loved ones want to come or stay in Saudi.

Is it possible to apply for a Saudi family visa as a group, or must each person apply separately?

Each family member who wants a Saudi visa must fill out their own application. Every applicant has to give their own documents and embassy forms. The embassy will not take group applications for family visas, so be sure that each person turns in their paperwork with their own application.