Getting the family together in Saudi Arabia can feel like a dream come true. Think of sipping Arabic coffee with your parents in Riyadh or taking your kids to see the Saudi’s desert landscapes – these cherished moments are now more accessible thanks to Saudi Arabia’s Family Visit Visa. 

The Kingdom continues to welcome relatives of residents and citizens through an updated family visit visa process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know – from eligibility criteria and application steps to latest 2025 updates and travel tips – ensuring your family reunion in Saudi Arabia is as smooth as a sand dune at sunrise.

Planning a family visit to Saudi Arabia might sound complicated, but it's easier than you think. In a nutshell, a Family Visit Visa is a special short-term visa that allows you to bring your immediate family members to Saudi Arabia for a visit. Whether you’re a Saudi citizen or an expatriate worker, this visa is your golden ticket.

Saudi Arabia has streamlined the application process with modern online platforms and clarified rules to make inviting families simpler. However, there are also new rules and considerations (some introduced just this year) that you should be aware of. Don't worry – we'll unravel the details in an easy-to-follow way. Ready to explore? Let's dive in!

What is a Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa?

The Saudi Family Visit Visa allows foreign family members to visit their relatives in the Kingdom for a short-term stay. It permits tourism, family gatherings, and even Umrah but does not allow work or long-term residence. Visitors can travel freely within Saudi Arabia, and the visa is usually single-entry unless granted a multiple-entry option. It’s an ideal way to reunite with loved ones while following visa regulations.

Eligibility Criteria

Before daydreaming about camel rides or shopping trips with your loved ones in Saudi, let’s make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. There are two sides to eligibility: the sponsor (the person in Saudi Arabia who invites) and the visitor(s) (the family members coming over). Saudi Arabia is quite specific about who can invite and who can be invited on a family visit visa.

Who can invite family members?

Inviting family members to Saudi Arabia requires a valid host who meets specific eligibility criteria. Whether a Saudi citizen or a foreign resident, the host plays a crucial role in initiating the family visit visa application. Below are the individuals who can invite family members.

• Saudi Citizens – Can invite family members and, in some cases, even friends.
• Expatriate Residents – Must have a valid Iqama (residency permit) under a work visa (not a dependent or student visa).
• The Host Must Be an Adult (18+).
• The Host’s Residency ID must be valid for the duration of the visit and ideally beyond.

The host bears full responsibility for the visitor’s stay, ensuring compliance with visa regulations. Meeting the eligibility criteria helps ensure a smooth and successful family visit process.

Who can be invited?

Saudi Arabia’s family visit visa is intended for immediate family members of the host. According to official guidelines, first-degree relatives are the target group for this visa. If you’re a foreign resident, these are typically the only relatives you can bring over on this visa. For example:

• If you work in Saudi Arabia, you can request a visa for your wife and kids to visit you.
• You can also invite your mother and father to come see you.
• Inviting your siblings may not be approved under the “family visit” category unless policies change or they fall under first-degree relatives as defined by Saudi authorities. It’s best to check the latest rules or consider a different visa type if you want your brother or sister to visit.

For Saudi citizen hosts, as mentioned, the net can be cast a bit wider. Saudi citizens can invite close family and potentially friends as guests into the country. 

Age is another factor: typically, the visitor should be an adult (18 years or older). If a child is coming on a family visit visa, they should travel with a parent or legal guardian. Saudi visa rules specify that minors not traveling with both parents might need additional documentation – for instance, a notarized permission letter from the absent parent. 

Lastly, regardless of relationship, every visitor must have a valid passport (with at least six months validity) because without a valid passport, no visa can be issued. Now that we know who qualifies on both sides, let’s move on to how to actually get the visa.

Emergency Info: It’s always good to be prepared. Save important contact numbers: Saudi emergency numbers are 999 for Police, 997 for Ambulance, 998 for Fire. Also have the contact info of your country’s embassy in Saudi Arabia handy, just in case you lose your passport or need assistance. And of course, keep communication open with your host – they are your best immediate resource if you need help or have questions during your stay.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Getting a Saudi family visit visa is a multi-step journey, but don’t let that intimidate you. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Required Documents Checklist

Here’s a checklist of all the essential documents you and your host will need for a Saudi Family Visit Visa application:

• Passport of the Visitor: The visitor’s original passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the date of entry and at least two blank visa pages facing each other. It’s a good idea to also have a photocopy of the passport’s information page.
• Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs of the visitor, against a white background.

• MOFA Invitation Approval:A printed copy of the visa approval letter or reference slip from the Saudi MOFA. This is the document/number your host obtained after the invitation request was approved. It’s needed to prove that the visa has been authorized by Saudi authorities.
• Host’s ID/Residency Proof: A copy of the Saudi host’s identification. For a Saudi citizen, this is their national ID card. For a resident expat, this is their Iqama (residence permit) and potentially a copy of their passport’s visa page. The embassy uses this to verify the inviter’s identity and status.
• Proof of Relationship: Documentation to prove the familial relationship between the visitor and the host. For example:
  • If you are inviting your wife, provide a marriage certificate.
  • If inviting your parents, a copy of your birth certificate (showing your parents’ names).
  • If inviting your child, their birth certificate (showing you as a parent).

  Saudi authorities require these to ensure the person coming is truly a close family member. These documents should ideally be attested by the relevant authorities. “Attested” means certified as genuine – usually by the foreign ministry of the country that issued the document and then by the Saudi Embassy. This can take time, so if these papers aren’t already attested, plan for that step in advance.

• Completed Visa Application Form (printed): After you fill the online application, print out the confirmation or the submitted form. Some embassies require a signed paper copy of the application as part of the packet. It might also have a barcode or reference number that the embassy will use to pull up your details.
• Visa Fee Receipt: Proof that you paid the visa fees (and insurance) online. Usually, your printed application or confirmation email will show payment confirmation. If not, include any email receipt from the MOFA portal.
• Travel Insurance Policy: The visa process will have you buy a Saudi-approved health insurance policy. After purchase, print the insurance policy or confirmation. 
• Consent Letter for Minors (if needed):If a child under 18 is travelling with only one parent or without parents, include a notarized permission letter from the other parent(s) as discussed in the eligibility section .

Having these documents ready at the time of submission will save you from last-minute scrambles. Double-check each item, because forgetting even one piece can lead to delays or even rejection. 

Visa Fees and Processing Time

Let’s talk about the money and minutes involved in getting a family visit visa. Knowing the costs and waiting times upfront is crucial so you can plan your budget and schedule.

Visa Fees

Processing Time

Note: Processing times may extend during peak seasons, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, due to government office closures. Applying early is recommended.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Even with a well-defined process, visa applications can sometimes hit a bump in the road. Don’t fret – it happens to many people, and there are usually ways to overcome these challenges. Here are some common issues applicants face for the Saudi family visit visa, and tips on how to deal with them:

Invitation Request Rejected or Delayed

To avoid MOFA invitation request rejections, ensure all details are accurate—names, passport numbers, and relationship info must match official documents. Saudi officials are strict about consistency. If rejected, check the message for reasons and correct any errors before reapplying.

If it happens, don’t be discouraged. You can correct the issue and apply again. There’s no mandatory waiting period to reapply after a rejection, so it’s better to fix and resubmit promptly. If you can’t figure out what went wrong, the sponsor might visit or call the MOFA office in Saudi for clarification.

Difficulty with the Online Platform

The new KSA e-visa platform is handy, but technology can glitch. People sometimes face issues like the site not accepting data in the required format, or payment errors when paying the fees. If you hit a tech snag, try using a different web browser, or ensure you’re following the instructions closely (for instance, remember the rule to enter names in Arabic for Arab nationals, and in English exactly as in the passport for others 

If payment fails, double-check your card’s international usage settings or try a different card. The system will usually allow re-attempting the payment. Also, doing the application on a desktop or laptop (rather than a phone) tends to be smoother. In case the issue persists, the sponsor can call the MOFA support line for help.

Missing or Mismatched Documents

A very common hiccup is when the embassy finds a missing document or a mismatch. For example, perhaps you didn’t include the proof of relationship, or the names on the documents don’t match perfectly. To overcome this, prepare thoroughly: ensure all required documents are included and that names can be reconciled. 

If there are different spellings (like Mohammad vs. Muhammad), include a note or have an affidavit of name spelling variations. If the embassy asks for an additional document, provide it as soon as possible. For instance, they might ask for an attested Arabic translation of a document. The faster you supply what’s needed, the faster your visa will be issued.

Stay Connected: Getting a local SIM card is highly recommended for convenience. Major providers like STC, Mobily, and Zain offer prepaid SIMs for visitors (you can buy these at the airport or at malls). Having local data will help you use maps, call your family, and stay connected. Wi-Fi is common in many places, but having mobile data is invaluable when you’re out and about.

Do’s and Don’ts

Every visa comes with its own set of unspoken rules. Here’s a handy list of do’s and don’ts for the Saudi family visit visa to ensure you remain compliant and enjoy a worry-free visit:

Do’s

• Do adhere to the visa conditions:Always leave Saudi Arabia before your visa expires or apply for an official extension in time if you need to stay longer. Overstaying, even by a short period, can lead to fines and complicate future visits.
• Do carry identification: Keep your passport (and a copy of your visa page) with you when traveling between cities or checking into hotels. Within a city, carrying a photocopy of your passport is usually sufficient for ID purposes, while the original can be kept in a safe place.
• Do maintain respectful conduct:Follow local laws and customs. For example, abide by traffic rules if you’re driving, and be respectful in religious sites and public spaces. Remember that certain behaviors acceptable elsewhere might not be okay in Saudi (like public intoxication is illegal since alcohol is banned).
• Do keep your host informed: As a courtesy and safety measure, let your family host know your plans if you decide to travel to another city or do sightseeing on your own. They are responsible for you to an extent, and it’s wise that someone in the country knows where you are going, especially if you run into any issues.
• Do use official channels for issues:If you realize you need to extend the visa, start the extension process early through official channels (the host can use the Absher portal or visit Jawazat, the passport office, to request an extension). Likewise, if you lose your passport or something serious happens, involve the local authorities or your embassy promptly.
• Do respect the purpose of your visit: Make sure the activities you engage in align with “visiting family and tourism”. By all means, enjoy tourist activities, but do not secretly work or do business on this visa. If you network and find job opportunities, great – but you’ll need a work visa to actually take up employment.

Don’ts

• Don’t misuse the visa for Hajj: Performing Hajj (the major pilgrimage) on a visit visa is not allowed. Hajj has its own visa quota system. The authorities have become very vigilant on this – during Hajj season there are checkpoints and visa checks around Mecca. If you attempted to do Hajj with a family visit visa, you risk being turned away or penalized. So, don’t do it. If Hajj is on your agenda, plan for it separately through the correct channels.
• Don’t bring prohibited items:Avoid bringing any banned items into Saudi Arabia. Obvious ones are alcohol, narcotics, and pornography. Less obvious: certain medications that are common elsewhere (e.g., some painkillers or ADHD medications) might be controlled in Saudi – if you need to bring prescription meds, carry a doctor’s prescription note. Also, don’t import religious materials in bulk or anything that might be seen as for missionary work – Saudi law prohibits proselytising.
• Don’t engage in political or religious disputes: As a visitor, it’s best to steer clear of political demonstrations, protests, or public religious debates. Criticizing the government or the royal family is against the law. Even on social media, avoid posting anything that could be construed as offensive to Saudi culture, religion, or leadership while you’re there. It’s simply not worth the risk.
• Don’t forget local etiquette: For example, it’s unwise to photograph people without permission. Also, public decency laws mean you should avoid any obscene or indecent behavior publicly. Unmarried couples should avoid overt displays of affection in public. Saudi society has become more relaxed in recent years, but it’s still conservative at heart.
• Don’t lose your visa copy: Keep your visa and entry stamp info safe. Upon entry, your passport will have a visa sticker 

Conclusion

Bringing your family to Saudi Arabia in 2025 is achievable with the Family Visit Visa. The process may be detailed, but step-by-step planning makes it manageable. The joy of reunion at the arrivals gate will make all the effort worthwhile. Safe travels, and enjoy precious moments with your loved ones!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can my family stay on a 2025 Family Visit Visa? Is an invitation required? Can I extend my family visit visa? Is health insurance mandatory? Can I work on a family visit visa?

Content Disclaimer: While this information was last updated in March 2025, we strongly advise confirming the latest details with the relevant agencies, embassies, and airlines to ensure your travel plans are accurate and up to date.