A family visit visa lets your close family members — your parents, spouse, or children — come to Saudi Arabia to visit you for a limited stay. If you are a resident with a valid Iqama, you can invite your family through the official visa platform, and your family then applies for the visa at the Saudi embassy or visa centre in their home country. This guide explains who can apply, what documents you need, and how the process works step by step.
The visit visa is for temporary stays only. It does not allow your family to work in Saudi Arabia, and it is different from a permanent family visa, which brings your family to live with you on Iqamas. Make sure you apply for the right type of visa for your plans.
Who Can Apply for a Family Visit Visa?
To invite family members on a visit visa, you generally need to be:
- A resident in Saudi Arabia with a valid Iqama
- Employed, with a profession that qualifies for family invitations (rules on eligible professions can change, so check what applies to your Iqama profession)
- Able to support your visitors during their stay
You can normally invite close relatives, such as your spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law, and sometimes siblings.
Single Entry vs Multiple Entry Visit Visa
Family visit visas are usually available in two forms:
- Single entry: Your family can enter Saudi Arabia once during the visa’s validity. Once they leave, the visa cannot be used again.
- Multiple entry: Your family can enter and leave Saudi Arabia several times while the visa is valid, as long as each stay stays within the allowed limit.
The length of stay and the validity period depend on the visa type and the decision of the embassy. The rules change from time to time, so confirm the current options before you apply.
Documents You Need for a Family Visit Visa
Documents from you (the resident in Saudi Arabia)
- A valid Iqama
- A valid passport
- Proof of employment or your employment contract (if requested)
- Proof of address in Saudi Arabia
Documents from your family members (the visitors)
- Valid passports (with enough validity remaining — check the requirement before applying)
- Passport-size photos (white background, as per the visa requirements)
- Proof of the family relationship — for example, a marriage certificate for a spouse, or birth certificates showing the relationship for parents and children
- A completed visa application form
- Travel insurance, if required by the embassy
Some documents may need to be attested, depending on your country and the embassy’s rules. It is worth checking this early, because attestation can take time.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Submit the invitation request online. As the resident, you apply through the official Saudi visa platform and fill in your details and your family members’ details.
- Get the invitation approved. The request is reviewed, and once approved, you receive an invitation document with a reference number.
- Send the invitation to your family. Share the approved invitation with your family members in their home country.
- Your family applies for the visa. They submit the visa application at the Saudi embassy, consulate, or authorised visa centre in their country, along with their passports, photos, and supporting documents.
- Biometrics and processing. Depending on the country, your family may need to give fingerprints at the visa centre. The embassy then processes the application.
- Visa issued. Once approved, the visa is stamped or issued electronically, and your family can book their travel.
Processing time varies by country and by embassy. Some applications are processed quickly; others take longer, especially during busy seasons such as school holidays and Ramadan. Apply well in advance of your family’s planned travel dates.
How Much Does a Family Visit Visa Cost?
There are fees for the visa application, and the amount depends on the visa type (single or multiple entry) and the embassy where the application is submitted. The official platform and the embassy show the exact fee at the time of application — message us on WhatsApp and we can check it for your case.
Can a Family Visit Visa Be Extended?
In many cases, a visit visa can be extended while your family is in Saudi Arabia, subject to the rules at the time and the total allowed stay. Extensions are usually done through Absher, and a fee applies. Check the current rules before your family’s visa expires — do not wait until the last day.
Overstaying a visit visa can lead to fines and can affect future visa applications, so always keep track of the expiry date.
What to Watch Out For
- Apply early. Start the process well before your family plans to travel, especially in busy seasons.
- Check passport validity. Passports with short remaining validity are a common reason for rejection.
- Match the names exactly. Names on the invitation, passports, and relationship documents must match. Even small spelling differences can cause problems.
- Get documents attested if needed. Some embassies require attested marriage or birth certificates. Sort this out before your family visits the embassy.
- Do not book non-refundable tickets too early. Wait until the visa is approved before booking flights that cannot be changed.
- The visit visa does not allow work. Family members on a visit visa cannot take a job in Saudi Arabia. Working on a visit visa is a serious violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I invite on a family visit visa?
Normally your spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law. Some other close relatives may also be eligible depending on the current rules. Confirm the eligible list before you apply.
How long can my family stay on a visit visa?
It depends on the visa type and the embassy’s decision. Single and multiple entry visas have different validity periods and stay limits, and the rules change from time to time.
Can my family extend their visit visa in Saudi Arabia?
In many cases, yes, through Absher, subject to the rules at the time and the total allowed stay. Always apply for an extension before the current visa expires.
What if the family visit visa is rejected?
Rejections happen for many reasons — incomplete documents, a passport problem, or a mismatch in the application. Find out the reason, fix it, and apply again. If you are not sure why it was rejected, bring the details to our office and we can help you work out the next step.
Need Help With a Family Visit Visa in Jeddah?
Bringing your family to visit should be a happy experience, not a stressful one. 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. We can help you prepare the invitation, check your documents, and follow up on your application. Please note that final approval is always decided by the relevant government authority.