A permanent family visa — also called a family residence visa or istiqdam — lets your wife and children move to Saudi Arabia and live with you as your dependents on Iqamas. Unlike a visit visa, which is for a short stay, a permanent family visa gives your family the right to reside in the Kingdom for as long as your own Iqama is valid. This guide explains who qualifies, what documents you need, and how the application works.
The rules depend on your profession and salary, and they change from time to time. Before you apply, confirm the current requirements for your profession and salary level.
Who Qualifies for a Permanent Family Visa?
Not every resident can bring their family on a permanent visa. In general, you need to meet these conditions:
- A valid Iqama with enough validity remaining.
- An eligible profession. Certain professions qualify for family residence, while others do not. The list is set by the authorities and can change, so check whether your Iqama profession is on it.
- A minimum salary. There is usually a minimum monthly salary requirement. The exact amount has changed over the years, so confirm the current figure before applying.
- A suitable home. You may need to show that you have proper housing for your family in Saudi Arabia.
- Your family members are normally your wife and your children under a certain age. Other relatives, such as parents, are usually brought on a visit visa instead.
Permanent Family Visa vs Family Visit Visa
Many people confuse these two visas. Here is the difference:
- Permanent family visa (istiqdam): Your wife and children come to live in Saudi Arabia. They get their own Iqamas as your dependents, can open bank accounts, enrol children in school, and stay as long as your Iqama is valid.
- Family visit visa: Your family comes for a temporary stay only. They cannot get Iqamas, cannot work, and must leave before the visa expires (or extend it, if the rules allow).
If your family plans to live with you long term, the permanent family visa is the right option. If they are coming for a short visit, apply for a visit visa instead.
Documents You Need
Documents from you (the resident)
- A valid Iqama
- A valid passport
- Your employment contract or a letter from your employer confirming your job and salary
- A salary certificate, attested if required
- Proof of address or your housing contract in Saudi Arabia
- Your academic or professional qualifications, attested if required (some professions need this)
Documents for your family members
- Valid passports for your wife and each child
- Passport-size photos (white background)
- Your marriage certificate (attested — this is usually required)
- Birth certificates for your children (attested, if required)
- Medical test results, if required by the embassy
Attestation is one of the steps that takes the most time. Marriage and birth certificates usually need to be attested by the relevant authorities in your home country and by the Saudi embassy there. Start this early — it is the most common cause of delays.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Check your eligibility. Confirm that your profession qualifies and that your salary meets the current requirement.
- Prepare and attest your documents. Get your marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, and any qualifications attested as required.
- Submit the istiqdam application through the official system in Saudi Arabia, either online or at the Istiqdam office, depending on the current process.
- Wait for approval. The application is reviewed by the authorities. Processing time varies.
- Your family applies for the visa at the Saudi embassy or visa centre in their home country.
- Your family travels to Saudi Arabia once the visas are issued.
- Apply for their Iqamas through Absher and Jawazat after arrival, including health insurance and any medical tests required.
Fees for a Permanent Family Visa
There are fees at several stages: the istiqdam application, the entry visas, and the dependent Iqamas, plus a monthly dependent fee for each dependent while they live in Saudi Arabia. The amounts vary and change over time, and the official system shows the exact fees when each step is submitted — message us on WhatsApp and we can check them for your case.
Common Reasons Applications Are Delayed or Rejected
- Profession not eligible for a permanent family visa.
- Salary below the required minimum for your profession.
- Documents not attested — especially the marriage certificate.
- Name spelling differences between the marriage certificate, passports, and your Iqama.
- Iqama close to expiry — renew your Iqama first if it has short validity remaining.
- Incomplete application — missing forms, photos, or supporting documents.
- Unpaid fines or government dues on your record.
Most of these problems are avoidable if you check everything before submitting. A rejected application costs time, and reapplying means starting again.
What to Watch Out For
- Confirm the current rules first. The eligible professions and salary requirements change. Do not rely on old information or what a friend did years ago.
- Start attestation early. This is usually the slowest part of the process.
- Keep your Iqama valid. Your family’s residence depends on your sponsorship.
- Budget for ongoing costs. The monthly dependent fee and health insurance are ongoing costs, not one-time payments.
- Use official channels only. The istiqdam process goes through official government systems. Be careful with anyone who promises approval outside the official process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a permanent family visa take?
It varies. The attestation of documents, the istiqdam approval, and the embassy visa stage each take time, and the total depends on your country and how complete your documents are. Start early and expect the process to take weeks rather than days.
What salary do I need to bring my family to Saudi Arabia?
There is a minimum salary requirement, and the exact amount depends on your profession and the current rules. Confirm the current figure for your case before you apply.
Can I bring my parents on a permanent family visa?
Normally the permanent family visa is for your wife and children. Parents are usually invited on a family visit visa instead.
Can my wife work in Saudi Arabia on a dependent Iqama?
A dependent Iqama on its own does not give the right to work. If your wife wants to work, she would need her own work visa and sponsorship through an employer.
Need Help With a Permanent Family Visa in Jeddah?
Bringing your family to live with you is a big step, and the paperwork matters. Visit Al Hijaz General Service in Al-Khumra, Jeddah (Street 60, opposite Mustawsaf Nofa), or message us on WhatsApp at +966559956131. We are open 10 AM to 11 PM. Bring your Iqama, passport, and marriage certificate, and we will check your eligibility, explain the steps, and help you prepare your application. Please note that final approval is always decided by the relevant government authority.