How to Apply for a Family Visit Visa Saudi Arabia
Key Highlights
- Applying for a Saudi Arabia family visit visa requires a sponsor in the Kingdom—either a citizen or a resident with a valid Iqama.
- Only immediate family members such as spouse, parents, and children typically qualify for a family visit visa, with proof of relationship required.
- The application process is managed online via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) portal, before document submission to the embassy.
- Essential required documents include passport, marriage or birth certificate, visa authorisation, and insurance.
- Visa validity generally ranges from 30 to 90 days, with possible extensions subject to MOFA approval.
- Processing typically takes 7–10 business days, and careful document preparation helps reduce the risk of rejection.
Introduction
Family reunions in Saudi Arabia can happen because of the visit visa. This entry visa lets your family members join you in the Kingdom for a short time. If you want to show your parents Riyadh or wish to have your spouse and kids with you, the Saudi visit visa is made for your family visit needs. At first, the steps to get this visa might look hard. But if you know what you need to do, things get much easier, and your visit will follow all Saudi rules.
Eligibility Requirements and Qualified Family Members
Before you start to apply for a family visit visa to Saudi Arabia, it is very important for you to understand who is eligible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia says that only sponsors who are Saudi citizens or those living in Saudi with a valid work visa can invite their family members. The authorities need to see proof of your relationship, like a marriage or birth certificate.
You can only invite some close family members for a family visit. This means your wife or husband, parents, and children are usually the ones who can come. These rules are in place to keep the saudi visit visa process fair and to stop people from using the system the wrong way. Now, let’s look closer at who is allowed to invite family members and find out which family members can get a visa with their help.
Who Can Invite Family Members to Saudi Arabia?
A family visit visa application in Saudi Arabia can only work if you have a real sponsor in the country. This sponsor can be:
- A Saudi citizen who can invite their close family or, in some cases, their friends.
- An expat who lives and works in Saudi Arabia and holds a valid Iqama (it should not be a dependent or student).
- The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and have a valid residency ID that lasts as long as the family visit.
Only people who have legal residency status and, for non-Saudis, a work visa, can ask someone to visit. The sponsor has to make sure the visitor follows all the visa rules and behaves well during the stay. For example, a Saudi engineer can invite his wife and kids, while an expat teacher can bring her parents for a visit. It is very important that the sponsor gives every detail the right way, as mistakes can slow things down or make the family visit visa form get rejected.
This is the way things work with family visit visas in Saudi Arabia. If you follow these rules and use the right sponsor, your Saudi visit visa application has a much better chance of going well.
Which Relatives Are Eligible Under the Family Visit Visa?
Saudi Arabia’s family visit visa is intended for close, first-degree relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires proof of relationship, such as a marriage certificate for a spouse or a birth certificate for children.
For further clarity, review this table:
| Eligible Relative | Required Proof | Additional Notes |
| Spouse | Notarised marriage certificate | Attestation may be required |
| Parents | Applicant’s birth certificate | Must show both parents’ names |
| Children | Child’s birth certificate | If travelling with one parent, notarised letter |
| Siblings/Other Relatives | Rarely approved, case-by-case | Check recent MOFA updates for eligibility |
Notably, the inclusion of siblings or extended family is usually denied unless specified by policy changes. Always submit attested documents and be prepared for extra verification if inviting a minor.
Step-by-Step Application Process for a Saudi Family Visit Visa
Starting your application for a family visit visa to Saudi Arabia has a few important steps. First, the sponsor goes online to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. There, the sponsor sends in an invitation request and gets an authorisation slip. Once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives the approval, the visitor fills out the visa form, gets the needed health insurance, and gathers proof of relationship documents. Then, the person applying hands over the file with all papers to the embassy. Each of these steps needs to be done fully and carefully to cut down on any processing delays. Now, let’s look at what you need and the steps to get a Saudi Arabia visit visa for your family.
Gathering and Preparing Required Documents
Careful document preparation is key to avoid any issues when you apply for a Saudi Arabia family visit visa. It’s best to double-check that all your papers are right and up to date. This can help you have a smoother process.
Start with these important items:
- Visitor’s passport. It must have at least six months left before it expires and two empty pages.
- A new passport photo.
- A printed MOFA invitation approval.
- The sponsor’s residency card (Iqama) or national ID.
- Proof of relationship. You can use a signed marriage or birth certificate.
- If any children under 15 are traveling, you will need a copy of their polio vaccine record.
- If a minor is traveling with only one parent, you need a letter signed by the other parent.
Every certificate needs to be signed and checked by the right groups and the Saudi embassy to prove it is real. You also must have all needed documents, filled out and signed forms, and good insurance. Having everything ready, like proof of relationship and your passport, will give you the best chance for your Saudi visit visa. This also stops the embassy from asking you to come back with more documents, which can be a hassle.
Submitting the Application and Payment Procedures
Once your papers are all ready, you need to follow the official steps for submission and payment to finish your application.
Start by sending in all the needed papers. This will have your filled-out visa application form. Give these documents to the embassy of the kingdom of saudi arabia or a visa centre that is allowed to handle them. Make sure you attach the MOFA authorisation slip so it is easy to see. Most of the time, you pay the visa fees online. Some embassies let you pay at the office.
Key points to remember:
- Bring the original documents and one copy for each one.
- Visa fees are between $100 and $150 for every person. It depends on which insurance you pick.
- You can pay with an international credit card or debit card. Some places also take cash.
- Always keep the receipts for payments and the emails that show your payment was successful.
It usually takes 7 to 10 business days to process your saudi visit visa. This time can change, though. The best way is to apply early, make your payments right, and have your documents organised. Doing this helps your family visit visa for saudi go well, whether you send your application to the saudi embassy or a trusted visa centre.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Knowing more about a visit visa for family members is important to make sure your application goes well. Many applicants often ask what documents they need. These usually include proof of relationship, like a marriage certificate or a birth certificate. People are also concerned about visa validity. Most who want info about this look to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
There are also questions that often come up about processing time and the rules for minor children. It is a good idea to ask about these things so you can follow the laws in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Understanding what you need and what the process looks like can help you get a visit visa for Saudi Arabia. This will also help you be ready if the ministry asks for any more details.
How long is the family visit visa valid and can it be extended?
Family visit visas for Saudi Arabia are good from the date of issue. With this type of entry visa, you can stay in Saudi for about 30 to 90 days at one time. You may be able to extend your stay. To do this, you need to use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site or the Absher platform. The approval will depend on the current rules and the nationality of the person applying for the visa.
What are common reasons for rejection of a Saudi family visit visa?
Rejections often happen when you do not have the right papers or if your proof of relationship does not match. If you use the wrong birth certificate, you could get denied too. Sometimes, they think people want the visa to work, which is not allowed. Not showing a clear marriage or birth certificate is also a reason people get rejected. If you are part of drug trafficking or have broken rules on your last visa, that can lead to a no as well.
Can you convert a family visit visa into a residence visa within Saudi Arabia?
You can’t change a family visit visa into a residence visa while you are still in Saudi Arabia. If you want to stay in the country for a long time, you have to leave first. The applicants must go back to their home country, apply for a residence visa there, and then follow the rules for moving to Saudi Arabia. This is the way anyone on a visit visa to Saudi must do if they wish to live with their family.
Conclusion
To sum up, getting a Family Visit Visa for Saudi Arabia can be simple if you follow the right steps. Make sure you know the rules and who can ask their family to come. You need to have all the right documents ready and follow the payment steps for the saudi visa. This can help you get your family visit visa for Saudi Arabia without any issues. If you want to ask anything or know more, just let us know in the comments. Your chance to see your family in Saudi Arabia can start now!
Is it difficult to get family visa in saudi?
Obtaining a family visit visa for Saudi Arabia can be challenging due to specific requirements and paperwork. However, with proper documentation and adherence to regulations, applicants can navigate the process more smoothly. Being well-prepared significantly increases the chances of securing a family visit visa successfully.
