Have you always desired to take your family to see you in Saudi Arabia, but are not certain about how the whole process goes?
You are not the only one. Various expats staying and working in the Kingdom find it very difficult to determine what steps, formal procedures, and documents they need to take in order to obtain a Saudi Family Visit Visa.
I am Faisal Al-Harbi, who has undergone the whole procedure of the Family Visit Visa application in Saudi Arabia. I know that it is hard to get back to your beloved once, and I want to help you by making this experience less stressful by telling you everything I experienced.
In this blog, I will guide you through the whole, up-to-date, and sequential process of the Saudi Family Visit Visa application as of 2025.
What is a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia?
Family Visit Visa, which enables expats and residents such as me to invite my close relatives to come and spend some time with us in Saudi Arabia. It is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and is the most popular method to reunify with family when it is overseas.
I brought my wife and kids in using this visa, and I cannot tell you the happiness in their presence here.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa?
The Saudi government has certain guidelines regarding the people who are entitled to apply and the people they can invite using the Family Visit Visa scheme. The way it works goes like this:
You Can Apply If
- You are a foreign resident living in Saudi Arabia with a valid Iqama (residency permit)
- Your job and work history are okay
- Only the family members of the first degree are invited
Who Can Be Invited on a Saudi Family Visit Visa?
Entitlement is enjoyed by the following members of the immediate family:
- Wife or husband
- Children
- Parents
- Parents-in-law
- Siblings
You cannot invite:
- Cousins
- Uncles or aunts
- Friends
- Any extended family members not listed above
In case you apply to get a non-eligible relative’s immigration status, there is are high chances that MOFA will reject your application.
Step-by-Step Process
Now I will clarify to you what I did step by step, and you can repeat the process.
Step 1: Creating My MOFA Account
I Visited the MOFA Visa Platform
Visit the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) portal:
https://visa.mofa.gov.sa
In this case, I registered my account on the basis of my Iqama number, mobile number, etc.
After I was registered, I logged in and proceeded to the choice of the appropriate service.
Step 2: Selecting “Family Visit Visa”
Within the MOFA dashboard, I navigated to the section of citizen and resident services.
I clicked on it and, under that, I chose a Family Visit Visa, and the application form came.
This is an official channel; do not be tricked into some unofficial sites. Take up the MOFA site.
Step 3: Filling Out the Family Visit Visa Form
This step was all about providing accurate details. I had to fill in:
My Personal & Iqama Information
- Full name
- Iqama number
- Mobile number
- Address
- Employer details
Details of My Family Member
I was applying for my wife, so I filled in:
- Full name (exactly as in passport)
- Passport number and expiry date
- Nationality
- Gender
- Religion
- Relationship (wife in this case)
Choosing Visa Type
I could have had two options:
- Single-entry Visa: Valid for up to 90 days
- Multiple-entry Visa: This allows a maximum of 1 year, but then there must be re-entry after every 90 days.
I decided to take the multiple-entry visa since I needed flexibility.
I filled out and submitted the form after filling out all the sections.
Step 4: Waiting for Approval from MOFA
After my attested application was received in MOFA, I was to wait. This section tried my patience a little bit.
Checking the Status
I regularly checked the status at:
https://visa.mofa.gov.sa
All I had to do was enter:
- MOFA application number
- Iqama number
After some days, I came to see the status as Intended as Approved, and it displayed the Visa Authorization Number. That was a green light to proceed to the next stage.
Step 5: Sending the Visa Details to My Family Abroad
After getting the Visa Authorization Number, I rushed back to my wife in my home country to send the number.
What My Wife Submitted
- Her original passport
- Visa authorization printout
- 2 passport-sized photos (white background)
- Visa fee receipt
- Medical insurance document (arranged by the Etimad Center)
- Polio certificate (required for some nationalities)
What Happened After She Arrived in Saudi Arabia?
Upon arrival, they just had to check her documents and stamp her entry at the immigration counter.
No residence permit was required as well, and no Absher activation is necessary since this is a visit visa, not a residency visa.
She can remain up to 90 days every visit and come out and enter on various occasions as long as the multiple-entry visa is active.
How to Extend a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia?
You are right, you can! Single-entry visas are the only ones that may be extended.
- Log in to Absher
- Go to “Extend Visit Visa”
- Pay the fee
FAQs About Saudi Family Visit Visa
Who can apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa?
Invitation of close relatives, such as spouse, children, and parents, is only made to be applied to residents through a valid Iqama.
Can I bring my brother or sister on a Family Visit Visa?
Yes, however, not always. It is a matter of the category of job and the present MOFA regulations.
How long does a Family Visit Visa take to get approved?
The application needs to be submitted, clearly attested, and 3 to 7 days of working time can pass before it is ready.
How much is the Family Visit Visa fee for Saudi Arabia?
The price will depend on your nationality and the embassy processing. The majority of cases are between 300 SAR and 600 SAR, besides the insurance.
Final Words
Applying for a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia may appear to be a tiresome process, but with the correct direction and assistance, it is a process that is relished. I have done it myself step by step, and I have explained everything to you, including how to create a MOFA account and how to have your family visa stamped and ready to travel.
You may get over the process safely, not wasting time, and being able to see your family without any problems when following these thorough step-by-step instructions.
Now bring your spouse, parents, or children– this visa becomes your official passport to realising those beautiful instances of making your family back in the Kingdom. You can also get my consultancy services for this.
