How to Apply for a Permanent Family Visa in Saudi Arabia

Contents show

If you’re an expat living and working in this vibrant country, you’ve probably thought about the significance of having your loved ones closer, whether it’s for a visit or a more permanent arrangement.

The good news is that Saudi Arabia offers a pathway to make that a reality through its Permanent Family Visa program.

This guide is super clear to simplify the process of obtaining a permanent family visa in Saudi Arabia.

So, make yourself comfortable, grab a cup of tea, and read on to explore how you can have your loved ones with you in KSA.

Eligibility Criteria

Before you start your application, let’s break down who can actually apply for a permanent family visa in Saudi Arabia:

First off, you’ve got to have a job that’s on the acceptable professions list.
Your job should come with a minimum salary of SR 3,500, as certified by GOSI.
Your iqama should have at least 3 months left before it expires when you apply for your family’s visa.
This visa is for your spouse and kids under 18.
The permanent family visa is limited to one wife.
If you were thinking of inviting your parents, they’re not eligible for the permanent family visa.

Payment

The application fee for the Istiqdam process is SR 2000.

Notably, government job holders are exempt from paying this fee.

Specific Professional Categories

Online applications for Permanent Family Visas are available exclusively to specific professional categories, including:

Doctors registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties
Accountants registered with SOCPA
Enginee rs registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers

The list of iqama professions eligible for family visa in Saudi Arabia is given below (in image).

Profession list eligible for Family Visa

Apply Online for a Permanent Family Visa

Here’s a step-by-step guide to the application process:

Visit the Absher website and click on the ‘My Services’ tab.

Now click on ‘Expatriate Affairs.’

Select ‘New Family Visa Application’ and carefully read through the provided instructions.

On the next page, you will see your complete details, including your full name, iqama, and passport details, as well as the sponsor’s information.
Ensure that all information retrieved by the MOI system is accurate.
Click ‘Apply for Family Visa.’

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be prompted to enter additional information regarding your education level, major subjects, salary, and the date of your latest degree obtained.

Provide details about your family members, including their age, religion, port of boarding (the city in which your family will stamp the visa on their passport), and other relevant information.
After that submit your family visa application.

Submit Permanent family visa Saudi Arabia

Finalizing the Approval Process

To advance your application to the approval stage, follow these steps:

Print a copy of your application form containing the order number and submit it to the HR department of your company.
Your HR officer will enter the order number on the Ministry of Interior Website and authenticate the application.
Both the HR officer and the applicant will receive a confirmation message from the Ministry of Interior.
The status of your application will be marked as “Approved.”
At this point, you need to submit the necessary documentation to your home country for visa processing.

Rejection Reasons

Your application may be rejected for these possible reasons:

Ineligible Profession

If your profession doesn’t meet the requirements for a permanent family visa, you must visit the Istiqdam office for further assistance.

Sponsor Not Added

Your application may be rejected if your sponsor is not added for the family visa application.

This issue often arises due to your employer’s expired commercial registration, chamber of commerce, or Maktab Amal account.

Istiqdam Requirements

The second way to apply for a permanent family visa is through Istiqdam.

Firstly, you need to book an Istiqdam Appointment.

Once you’ve successfully booked your Istiqdam appointment, here are the necessary requirements for a family visa application:

Fill out the Istiqdam family visa application form.
Attested marriage certificate from MOFA.
Include a letter from the sponsor (Kafeel), indicating monthly income and sponsor approval. This letter should be attested by the Chamber of Commerce.
GOSI certificate mentioning salary in GOSI return.
CR certificate of the company you are working in.
Present a copy of your Iqama (residence permit) and the original document.
A copy of the Saudi visa stamped on your passport.
Attested degree certificate from Saudi Embassy and MOFA matching your iqama profession.
Include copies of birth certificates for children from Saudi Embassy and MOFA.
Copies of the passports of the family members you intend to bring to Saudi Arabia.

Be prepared for potential questions and additional document requests during the application process.

Visa Processing and Stamping

Organize your documents in a file for the Istiqdam office appointment.
Attend your appointment and receive a yellow slip.
Verify the name on the slip for accuracy.
Make any necessary changes within 3 days.
The yellow slip is valid for one Hijri year (354 or 355 days).
Once your visa appears on the Enjazit platform, proceed with stamping.
Consider hiring an authorized agent for stamping, e.g., Tasheer in certain countries.

How to Cancel Permanent Family Visa

So, you’ve got a change of heart and want to cancel your permanent family visa in Saudi Arabia before it’s officially stamped on your passport.

Don’t worry, it’s doable, and you can even get a refund of SR 2,000.

To start the cancellation process, you’ll need a few documents ready:

Write a letter explaining why you want to cancel your family visa.
Make sure to get this letter authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce.
Your original Iqama (residence permit) and a copy of it.
Your original passport and a copy of it.
Include the original yellow slip or a copy of the visa issued by Istiqdam.

Visit the Istiqdam Office

Now, head over to the Istiqdam office for more information on canceling your permanent family visa:

They’ll provide you with a form to fill out.
Make sure to fill out the form accurately or hire an agent to assist you for an additional SR 15.
Once your form is ready, return to the office and submit it to the visa officer along with all the previously mentioned documents.
The visa officer will then process your request to cancel your family visa.
The good news is that you’ll receive a full refund of the SR 2,000 visa fee.
The refund will be deposited back into the same account that you initially used for payment.

In some cases, it might take a bit of time to get your refund.

So, have a little patience.

Wrap-up

So obtaining a permanent family visa is a crucial step.

And I’ve covered the ins and outs, from eligibility criteria to the application process, all to make your path smoother.

Once the visa is issued, the next crucial steps are to book a Tasheer appointment and complete a mandatory medical check-up to obtain the GCCHMC medical report required for the visa stamping process.

With these key tasks completed, you’re now just one step away from reuniting with your family.

Now, armed with this knowledge, you can take the first steps confidently.

So, here’s to new beginnings and cherished moments with your family in Saudi Arabia! 🙂