Saudi Family Visit Visa: Requirements & Steps 2026

If you hold a valid Iqama and want your parents, spouse, or children to visit you in Saudi Arabia, the family visit visa is the route to take. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through who qualifies, the documents you'll need, how to apply through the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform, what you'll pay, and how long your relatives can stay. Rules and fees are changing during 2026, so we also explain exactly where to confirm the final figures before you commit.

Who can apply and who can visit

The application is submitted by the resident sponsor, not the visitor. To sponsor a family visit, you generally need to:

• Hold a valid Iqama that is not close to expiry.
• Not be registered yourself as a dependent on someone else's Iqama.
• Invite first-degree relatives—typically parents, spouse, and children.

Because eligibility can depend on your profession, family status, and current immigration policy, always check that your profile allows the family-visit service before gathering paperwork.

Documents you'll need

Prepare these before you start so the online form goes smoothly:

• The visitor's passport, valid for at least 6 months and with at least 2 blank pages.
• A recent passport-style photograph of the visitor.
• Proof of relationship—an attested marriage certificate for a spouse, or an attested birth certificate for parents and children.

Make sure the visitor's name is entered exactly as it appears in the passport. Any mismatch is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed.

How to apply step by step

The application is completed online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform:

• Log in using your Iqama number and verify your identity through نفاذ.
• Choose the “Family Visit Visa Application for Residents” service.
• Enter the sponsor details and the visitor's details carefully.
• Upload the passport, photo, and attested relationship documents.
• Submit the application, and have it authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce or your employer where this step is required.
• Track the status on the same MOFA visa platform.

Fees and other charges

The single-entry family visit visa fee is commonly reported at around 300 ريال سعودي, but the amount displayed on the official payment screen is the one that applies. On top of the visa fee, expect:

• Mandatory medical insurance for the visitor.
• Electronic-service charges.
• Any embassy or visa-center service charges at the point of issuance.

These extra amounts vary by the visitor's age, nationality, and where the visa is finalized, so treat any single figure as an estimate until you see the official total.

After approval: issuance and stamping

Once the application is approved, you pay the visa and insurance charges and complete issuance through the designated Saudi visa-processing channel or the relevant embassy or consulate. You'll normally need the approved application and the visitor's original passport. Important for 2026: some applicants report a shorter window—around 30 days—to complete stamping after approval, so act quickly. The exact deadline printed on the approval or visa record is what counts.

Validity, length of stay, and multiple entry

Recent 2026 reports show that availability and validity can differ by nationality and issuance period. In many cases, single-entry visas are being issued with stays of up to 90 days, but you must check the entry deadline printed on the issued visa. Multiple-entry options are currently restricted or suspended for some nationalities, so don't assume it's available based on older experiences.

Extending the visit

Extension eligibility and duration depend on the visa that was issued and the immigration rules in force at the time. If an extension is available, apply through أبشر before the visa expires, with valid medical insurance and any other required conditions in place.

Confirm before you commit

Fees, entry validity, available durations, and extension rules can all change during 2026. Before paying anything, verify the final amounts and dates shown on the MOFA visa platform, أبشر, and the Saudi embassy or visa center handling issuance. That single check can save you from a rejected or expired application.

---

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