Family Visit Visa Saudi Arabia: Steps & Requirements

Bringing your parents, spouse, or children to Saudi Arabia for a visit is one of the most common requests among residents and citizens alike. The family visit visa is designed exactly for this purpose, allowing first-degree relatives to spend time with you in the Kingdom. In this سعودي ليفنج guide, we walk you through who qualifies, what documents you'll need, and how to complete the application step by step through the official channels.

Who can apply and who can be invited

The family visit visa is intended for short-term visits by first-degree relatives — specifically parents, spouse, and children. The sponsor inside Saudi Arabia must be either a Saudi citizen or a resident holding a valid Iqama.

• Parents of the sponsor
• The sponsor's spouse (husband or wife)
• The sponsor's children

Because eligibility is tied to a valid legal status, make sure your Iqama is current before you begin, as an expired residency will hold up the process.

Documents you'll need to prepare

Gathering your paperwork in advance makes the application much smoother. The core requirements for both sponsor and visitor typically include:

• Visitor's passport valid for at least six months, with a minimum of two blank pages.
• Recent passport-size photographs with a plain white background.
• A copy of the sponsor's Saudi ID (for citizens) or Iqama (for residents).
• An invitation/visit request number approved and electronically stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Proof of relationship — a marriage certificate for a spouse, and birth certificates for children. Similar proof is needed for parents.
• The completed online visa application form for the visitor, using the reference number issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

How the sponsor applies from inside Saudi Arabia

The first stage is handled by the sponsor inside the Kingdom through the Saudi Visa Platform, the electronic service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The general flow is:

• Access the Saudi Visa Platform and select the services section for citizens and residents.
• Choose "Family Visit Visa Application" (also shown as "Family Visit Request").
• Log in and enter both the sponsor's and the visitor's details, completing the electronic form.
• Electronically stamp and authenticate the request as required — this may go through your employer or the relevant Chamber of Commerce depending on your status.
• Submit the request and obtain the visa request/authorization number from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This authorization number is essential: it is what the visitor abroad will use to finish their part of the application.

What the visitor does from abroad

Once the sponsor has the request number, the visitor completes the consular stage from their country of residence:

• Use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs request/authorization number to complete the consular visa application online or through a Saudi mission or authorized visa center, depending on nationality.
• Upload the required documents — passport, photos, and relationship proof — and fill in the visa application form.
• Pay the applicable visa fee and any service or insurance fees through the designated online payment channel.
• Book an appointment at the Saudi consulate or visa center if biometrics or in-person steps are required.

Fees vary by nationality and service provider, so always confirm the exact amounts on the official visa platform before paying.

Extending the visit visa

If your relatives wish to stay longer than the original validity, an extension can be requested. This is handled through أبشر on the individuals portal under "Extension of Visit Visa." It's best to start the extension before the current visa expires to avoid any complications with overstaying.

Practical tips for a smooth process

• Double-check that names on the passport, application, and relationship documents match exactly.
• Ensure the passport meets the six-month validity rule well ahead of travel.
• Keep a printed or digital copy of the authorization number handy for the visitor abroad.
• Confirm current fees, processing times, and any nationality-specific requirements directly on the official Saudi government portals.

With your documents in order and each step completed in the right sequence, hosting your first-degree relatives in the Kingdom is a straightforward process. For any specific figures or timelines, always rely on the official Saudi Visa Platform and أبشر rather than unofficial sources.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving