Visa & Immigration

Saudi Arabia Visa for Family Visit Visas

Family visit visas allow Iqama holders to bring spouses, children, parents and (in limited cases) siblings to Saudi Arabia for short stays. The visa is single or multiple-entry, valid up to 90 days per visit and up to one year total validity.

What is required for a Saudi Arabia visa for family? Family visit visas do not grant the right to work, sponsor others or apply for an Iqama. They are visit-only. Conversion to a dependent residency requires a separate application. Tamra manages the full credentialing, attestation, visa and Iqama process — including the regulator-specific steps that block most non-specialist providers.

Bringing family into Saudi Arabia

Family visit visas allow Iqama holders to bring spouses, children, parents and (in limited cases) siblings to Saudi Arabia for short stays. The visa is single or multiple-entry, valid up to 90 days per visit and up to one year total validity.

Family visit visas do not grant the right to work, sponsor others or apply for an Iqama. They are visit-only. Conversion to a dependent residency requires a separate application.

Family visit visas are submitted by the sponsor through Absher / Muqeem. Tamra manages applications for clients' employees as part of the Iqama service. Tamra handles credential verification, regulator registration, attestation, visa issuance, GAMCA medical, Iqama and family sponsorship — one accountable partner end-to-end.

Key facts

AudienceFamily Visit Visas
Total cost rangeSAR 200 – SAR 500 per applicant (single entry) or SAR 800 – SAR 1,500 (multiple entry, 1-year validity)
Total timeline5–10 working days from Absher submission to visa issuance
Top source countriesAll nationalities — applied via Absher by the Iqama-holder sponsor
Sponsoring authorityMHRSD + role-specific regulator

The end-to-end process

5–10 working days from Absher submission to visa issuance

  1. Pre-screening & credential check. Tamra reviews the candidate's credentials against current MOL/regulator rules and flags any gaps before fees are spent.
  2. Block visa & MOL approval. Employer (or Tamra as EOR) requests the block visa via Qiwa and obtains MHRSD work permit approval.
  3. Regulator registration. Where required (SCE, SCFHS, Dataflow, Prometric), Tamra runs the regulator track in parallel with the visa.
  4. Attestation chain. Degree, experience certificates and PCC are attested in the candidate's country of origin via the Saudi Cultural Mission and MOFA.
  5. Visa stamping. Application submitted via Enjazit; the Saudi Embassy in the candidate's country stamps the work visa into the passport.
  6. GAMCA medical & travel. Candidate completes GAMCA medical (where required) and travels to Saudi Arabia. Employer must complete fingerprinting within 90 days.
  7. Iqama issuance. MOI issues the Iqama (residency permit). Family sponsorship can begin immediately after issuance.

Mandatory certifications & registrations

  • Sponsor must hold a valid Iqama (residency permit) for at least 6 months
  • Sponsor's profession must be on the MOI-eligible list (most professional and skilled categories qualify)
  • Proof of relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificate or family booklet — attested
  • Sponsor's salary above MOI threshold (typically SAR 5,000+ for spouse, SAR 8,000+ for parents)
  • Health insurance for the visiting family member (mandatory before entry)

Documents we will need from you

  • Signed offer letter with role title and salary aligned to MOL classification
  • Candidate's passport (minimum 6 months validity, 2 blank pages)
  • Attested educational certificates (Saudi Cultural Mission attestation in country of origin)
  • Police clearance certificate from country of origin (not older than 6 months)
  • Recent passport-sized photographs (white background, 4×6 cm)
  • Marriage and children's birth certificates (if family is included)

Common rejection reasons

  • Sponsor's profession not on MOI-eligible list
  • Sponsor's salary below threshold
  • Relationship documents not attested by the Saudi Embassy in the country of origin
  • Previous overstay by the same family member on a prior visit visa

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Saudi visa take for family?

Typical end-to-end timeline is 5–10 working days from Absher submission to visa issuance. Regulator registration (where required) is usually the longest single step.

How much does a Saudi visa cost for family?

Total cost typically falls in the range of SAR 200 – SAR 500 per applicant (single entry) or SAR 800 – SAR 1,500 (multiple entry, 1-year validity). Employer absorbs fees by Saudi recruitment law; Tamra invoices the employer one consolidated number.

Can Tamra act as the legal sponsor instead of our company?

Yes. Tamra holds an Employer of Record licence in Saudi Arabia and can sponsor work visas, issue Iqamas and run payroll for your hire while you retain full operational control of the role.

Can the candidate bring family on the same visa?

Family is sponsored separately, after the main applicant's Iqama is issued. Tamra manages family residency permits and dependent Iqamas as part of the standard package.

What happens if the regulator rejects the candidate?

Pre-screening exists precisely to avoid this. If a regulator (SCE, SCFHS) rejects after submission, the file restarts. Tamra's pre-screening costs ~3% of the total fee and prevents 95%+ of these rejections.

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