Saudi Family Visit Visa 2026: Complete Application Guide for Expatriates

Complete guide to Saudi family visit visa 2026: who can apply, application steps, requirements, how to check status and FAQs

If you’re an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia and want to bring your family for a visit, the family visit visa makes it possible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has streamlined the entire process online, making it easier than ever for residents to reunite with their loved ones. Whether you’re planning to host your parents, spouse, or children, this guide covers everything you need to know about applying for, extending, and using the family visit visa in 2026.

What is a Family Visit Visa?

The Saudi family visit visa is a temporary travel permit that allows expatriates and Saudi citizens to invite immediate family members to visit them in the Kingdom for a short period. Unlike a tourist visa, which anyone can apply for independently, the family visit visa requires a sponsor (the resident in Saudi Arabia) to initiate the application process on behalf of their relatives.

This visa permits family gatherings, tourism activities, and performing Umrah (but not Hajj). However, it does not allow the visa holder to work or seek employment during their stay.

Also Read: 15 Types of Saudi Arabia Visas Explained

Who Can You Bring on a Family Visit Visa?

The family visit visa is designed for first-degree relatives and immediate family members. You can apply for:

Primary family members:

Spouse (husband or wife)
Children
Parents
Parents-in-law

Extended family members:

Siblings
Grandparents
Grandchildren
In-laws (brother-in-law, sister-in-law)

The sponsor must provide proper documentation proving the relationship between themselves and the visitor, such as marriage certificates for spouses or birth certificates for children and parents.

Who Can Apply for the Visa?

As of 2026, any expatriate with a valid iqama can apply for a family visit visa for their relatives. This includes:

Professionals on work visas
Labor workers
House drivers and domestic workers

Important eligibility requirements for sponsors:

Must hold a valid iqama with at least 3-4 months of validity remaining
Must have a work iqama (not a dependent or student iqama)
Must have an active Nafath account for online authentication
Company employees need Chamber of Commerce authentication
Government employees go through MOFA directly

Domestic workers’ sponsors can now also approve family visit visa requests directly through the MOFA website under the “Ratify Individuals Applications” service.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Family Visit Visa

1. Go to the MOFA visa portal

Visit: https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Home/Index

2. Select family visit visa application

Click “Citizens and Residents” from the visa platform services
Select “Resident” > “Family Visit Visa Application for Residents“

mofa family visit visa application for resident expatriates online

3. Log in with Nafath

Click “Login” > “Individual Login”
Enter your iqama number and approve the request on your Nafath app

4. Start your application

Your personal details will be auto-filled. Complete any missing information like:
Address (same city as your sponsor’s Chamber of Commerce location)
Visa purpose: select “زيارة أفراد الأسرة” (Family Visit)

5. Add your family members

Click “Add” to enter details of each person:

Personal info: nationality, full name (in English), date/place of birth, religion, occupation, gender, relation, mobile number, email
Passport info: passport number, type (usually normal), issue/expiry dates, place of issue
Visa info: choose visa stamping location (visa validity, number of entries, and duration of stay will be determined when the visa application is processed by the relevant Saudi mission)

Repeat for each family member. Review and edit if needed.

6. Submit and print

Check the agreement box and click “Save”
Your application is now submitted
You can print the confirmation page.

After you submit the application online, it must be approved and authenticated:

For private company employees:

The application must be authenticated through the local Chamber of Commerce
This can be done online through the Chamber’s portal
Processing time: Usually 1-2 business days

For government employees:

The application goes directly to MOFA for approval
No Chamber of Commerce authentication needed

For domestic workers (drivers, housemaids):

The sponsor can approve the request directly on MOFA’s website
Navigate to: Services for Citizens and Residents > Citizen > Ratify Individuals Applications

Processing time: MOFA typically processes and approves applications within 3-5 business days, though this can vary during peak seasons.

Visa Stamping Process

Once MOFA approves the application, a reference number (visa document number) is issued. The sponsor should send this number along with a scanned copy of the approved application form to their family member abroad.

Required Documents
The visitor must prepare:

Original passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages
Two recent passport-sized photographs (white background)
Completed visa application form with reference number
Proof of relationship documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
Copy of sponsor’s iqama
Visa fee payment receipt
Health insurance confirmation
For minors under 18 traveling alone or with one parent: Notarized consent letter in Arabic or English from both parents or the absent parent

Submit Documents to Saudi Embassy

Visit the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in your home country
Some locations require booking an appointment through Tasheer
Submit all documents in person (some embassies may accept mail-in applications)
Pay the visa processing fees

Receive Your Stamped Visa

Processing at the embassy typically takes 3-7 business days
The passport is returned with the visa sticker
Check all details on the visa sticker carefully before traveling
Note the “Valid Until” date—you must enter Saudi Arabia before this date

How to check your family visit visa status

You can track your application status through two methods:

Method 1: MOFA Visa Portal

Visit: https://visa.mofa.gov.sa
Click on “Inquiry Type”
Select “Visa Application Number”
Enter your application number and passport number
View your current application status

Method 2: KSA Visa Platform

Visit: https://ksavisa.sa/
Click on “Track Application”
Enter your application details
View status updates

You can check status both before and after embassy submission. The system will show if your application is pending, approved, under review, or requires additional documents.

Common Issues and How to Solve Them

Application Rejected

Reasons:

Incorrect information (name spelling, passport number)
Relationship documents don’t match official records
Iqama validity too short
Sponsor doesn’t meet eligibility criteria

Solutions:

Review the rejection message carefully
Correct all errors
Ensure all names match exactly across all documents
Reapply immediately—there’s no waiting period

Final Thoughts

Bringing your family to Saudi Arabia has become significantly easier with online applications and streamlined processes. However, it’s essential to follow all procedures carefully, submit accurate information, and plan ahead.

Always verify the most current information on official government websites, as visa policies can change. With proper planning and attention to detail, you’ll soon be welcoming your loved ones to Saudi Arabia for a memorable visit.

Disclaimer: Visa regulations can change. Always verify current requirements through official channels including the MOFA website and Saudi embassies before submitting your application or making travel arrangements.