Saudi Family Visit Visa: Requirements & Steps

Bringing your loved ones to Saudi Arabia for a visit is one of the most rewarding parts of living here. Whether you want your parents to see your new home or your spouse and children to spend the holidays with you, the family visit visa is the route most residents use. In this guide, سعودي ليفنج walks you through who can sponsor, which relatives qualify, the online steps, and the fees and insurance you should budget for. Because rules and amounts change, always confirm the latest figures on the relevant official Saudi government portal before you pay.

Who can sponsor a family visit visa

To invite relatives, you must be a legal resident or a Saudi citizen. Expatriate sponsors need a valid iqama and a salary considered sufficient under current rules. Your residency status should be active and your details up to date in the official systems, since the request is tied to your national ID or iqama and your registered mobile number.

Which relatives are eligible

The family visit visa is designed for close family members. Eligible relatives typically include:

• Spouse
• Children
• Parents and parents-in-law
• In some cases, siblings and their children

Eligibility depends on current Ministry of Foreign Affairs rules, so the exact list can vary. Make sure the relationship you declare matches the supporting details you can provide.

Step 1: Submit the electronic request

The process begins with an online visit visa request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform, accessed via the National Government Services Portal. You log in using your national ID or iqama and your registered mobile. The request must include:

• Passport details of each visitor
• The relationship to you as sponsor
• Intended duration of stay
• City of arrival

Form fields are completed in Arabic, and names must match the exact spelling in each visitor's passport to avoid rejection or delays.

Step 2: Attestation for expatriate sponsors

If you are an expatriate sponsor, your request normally needs to be authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce. The typical attestation fee is around 35 SAR. Confirm the current amount and any additional steps on the official portal, as requirements are periodically updated.

Step 3: Stamping in the visitor's home country

Once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approves your request, it issues a visa authorization number. Your relatives then complete the stamping at a designated visa services center in their home country. Expect:

• An appointment booking fee of about 110 SAR
• A base single-entry family visit visa fee of 300 SAR, paid at the stamping stage
• A higher fee, commonly around 500 SAR, for multiple-entry visas

Some guidance quotes totals in the range of 420–430 SAR, which reflects the base fee plus system or service surcharges and insurance-linked components.

Fees and mandatory insurance

Beyond the base visa fee, budget for a few additional charges:

• Digital service fees of roughly 40 SAR per applicant
• Insurance service fees of roughly 40 SAR
• Optional typing or service office charges in Saudi Arabia, often 100–250 SAR

Mandatory visitor medical insurance is required and must be electronically linked to the visa. Premiums typically range from about 40–100 SAR for a young adult, and can exceed 180–500 SAR or more for older parents, depending on age and level of coverage. Always confirm live prices during the application, since insurance is age-sensitive.

Visa validity and length of stay

Understanding validity helps you plan the visit:

• Single-entry: stay of up to 90 days from entry, with overall visa validity also around 90 days.
• Multiple-entry: overall validity of 365 days, with a maximum continuous stay of 90 days per visit. Visitors must exit and re-enter to reset the stay period.

These terms are subject to current Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuance rules, so verify them before booking travel.

Tips for a smooth application

• Double-check passport spellings and expiry dates before submitting.
• Keep your own residency and salary details current in the official systems.
• Choose single or multiple entry based on how often your relatives will travel.
• Confirm every fee and the insurance premium on the official Saudi government portal at the time of payment.

With your paperwork accurate and your budget planned, the family visit visa is a straightforward way to share your life in the Kingdom with the people who matter most.

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