Family Visit Visa Saudi Arabia: Requirements & Steps

Bringing your loved ones to Saudi Arabia for a visit is one of the most common needs for residents and citizens alike. The family visit visa lets you host immediate family members for a defined period, and the entire process is now handled online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform, started by the Saudi-based sponsor. This Saudi Living guide walks you through who can sponsor, who can visit, the exact steps, and the costs to budget for so there are no surprises.

Who can sponsor and who can visit

The family visit visa is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the request is always initiated from inside Saudi Arabia by the sponsor.

• Eligible sponsors: Saudi citizens, or expatriate residents holding a valid iqama.
• Eligible visitors: immediate family members — spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law, and in most cases siblings and their children, subject to current MOFA rules.

Because eligibility for relatives beyond the immediate circle can change, always confirm the current relationship list on the official MOFA visa platform before applying.

Sponsor prerequisites

Before you start, make sure your own records are in order. Applications are commonly delayed or rejected because of mismatched or outdated data.

• A valid iqama and an active account linked to the national digital government platform.
• The correct profession and marital status recorded in your residency records — this matters especially when sponsoring a spouse or parents.
• No major outstanding violations or security restrictions affecting your travel services.

Step-by-step application

The whole request is completed electronically. Follow these steps carefully and make sure every detail matches the visitor's passport exactly.

• Log in to the national e-services portal and select the family visit visa service.
• Enter the visitor's details: full name, passport number, nationality, relationship, religion, and date of birth, along with the purpose of the visit.
• Choose the visa type — single-entry or multiple-entry where currently available — and the intended duration of stay.
• Submit the electronic request, then print or save the MOFA application document showing your application number.
• When required, pay the Chamber of Commerce attestation fee online using the application number; this attestation fee is typically 35 SAR.

Any spelling mismatch between the application and the passport can cause problems at stamping or on arrival, so double-check names and numbers before submitting.

Government issuance fees

Once approved, the visa issuance fees are paid online. As indicative 2026 figures:

• Single-entry family visit visa issuance: 300 SAR.
• Multiple-entry family visit visa issuance: 500 SAR.
• A digital services fee of around 40 SAR per visa.
• An insurance service fee of around 40 SAR per visa, charged on top of the insurance premium during online payment.

Fees can be updated by the authorities, so treat these as a guide and confirm the current amounts during checkout.

Mandatory visitor medical insurance

Medical insurance is required for every family visit visa. It is purchased electronically during or just before visa stamping, either on the visa platform or through an approved insurance integration.

• Healthy adult around 30 years: roughly 40–100 SAR for short-stay coverage.
• Elderly parent around 60 years: often 180–500+ SAR depending on duration and health profile.
• Overall, budget around 90–300 SAR or more varying by age and policy.

Optional service fees to budget for

You can complete everything yourself online. If you prefer to use a commercial visa agent or service center, expect extra charges beyond the government fees:

• Application and follow-up handling can add roughly 400–500 SAR per applicant.
• Some outsourced centers may add separate service and logistics fees.

Practical tips before you apply

• Update your profession and marital status in advance if anything has changed.
• Keep passport copies of your visitors handy to copy details accurately.
• Save the application document with its number — you'll need it for payment and follow-up.
• Buy insurance that comfortably covers the full intended stay, especially for elderly relatives.

For the most accurate, up-to-date requirements and fees, always confirm directly on the official MOFA visa platform before you pay.

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