How to Apply Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia 2026 – Complete & Easy Guide

Introduction

How to apply family visit visa in Saudi Arabia remains one of the most important and emotionally charged questions for expats living in the Kingdom in 2026. Many expats in Saudi Arabia face confusion, online rejections, or long delays simply because Saudi visa rules operate very differently from other countries.

Based on real expat experience in KSA, the Saudi Arabia family visit visa system is highly digital, strictly verified, and centrally controlled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The good news? Once you understand the exact steps, Arabic-first form logic, Nafath authentication, and chambering rules, the process becomes predictable and smooth.

What Is a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia?

A Saudi family visit visa allows expatriates legally residing in Saudi Arabia to invite close family members for a temporary stay. It is not an Iqama and does not allow work, but it enables family visits, tourism inside the Kingdom, and Umrah (outside Hajj season).

In Saudi Arabia, this visa is processed through MOFA using digital identity verification via Nafath, which makes accuracy and consistency extremely important.

Who Is Eligible for a Family Visit Visa?

Based on 2026 MOFA behavior and real expat approvals, eligible relatives fall into two categories:

Always Approved Relations (All Professions)

• Wife or Husband
• Children
• Parents
• Parents-in-law

Profession-Dependent Relations

Approved case-by-case only if the Iqama profession and profile are strong (engineer, doctor, manager, executive):

• Grandparents
• Brother & his family
• Sister & her family
• Brother-in-law
• Sister-in-law

2026 Update (Very Important):
Expats with any Iqama profession, including labor and domestic workers, can apply for immediate family only (wife, children, parents). Extended relatives remain discretionary.

Family Visit Visa Requirements (2026 Updated)

You need the following before applying:

• Visitor passport (valid 6+ months)
• Sponsor Iqama (minimum 3 months, ideally 6)
• Actived Nafath account
• Correct profession selection (do not guess)
• No physical presence of family required in KSA
• Chamber of Commerce city must match employer registration

⚠️ Critical Tip (From Expats):
The city you enter in the form must be the Chamber of Commerce city where your employer is registered, not where you currently live.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia

Step 1: Login via Nafath (Mandatory)

Visit the official MOFA portal:
https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Account/Loginindividuals

• Click Login
• Enter Iqama number
• Approve request via Nafath app

Without Nafath approval, no application can proceed.

Step 2: Fill Out the Application (MOFA)

Select:
Family Visit Visa Application for Residents / طلب زيارة عائلية للمقيمين

🔴 Strong 2026 Recommendation:
Fill the application in Arabic (use browser translation if needed). Arabic-filled applications have significantly higher approval success based on expat experience.

Once selected, the MOFA system will automatically fetch your basic personal and professional details using your Iqama. However, your Saudi Visa Number will be missing, and you must manually enter your Saudi Visa Number.

📌 Where to find it:
The Saudi Visa Number is printed on the original work visa stamp in your passport that was issued before you entered Saudi Arabia for the first time.

After adding your Visa number of yours, you need to press the Add button to insert the personal details for your family.

Enter Your Family Member’s Personal Details (البيانات الشخصية)

In this section, you will enter the personal information of the family member you are inviting. Take your time here — even small spelling mistakes can cause rejection.

• Nationality (الجنسية)
  Select the country exactly as shown on the passport.
  Example: باكستان
• Full Name (in English only)
  Enter the name exactly as it appears on the passport.
  Both First Name and Family Name are mandatory.
  Example: Arslan Ahmad ⚠️ Do not shorten, rearrange, or change spelling.
• Date of Birth (تاريخ الميلاد)
  Select the date exactly as written on the passport.
• Place of Birth (محل الميلاد)
  Enter the place of birth from the passport.
  Example: لاهور، باكستان
• Religion (الديانة)
  Select the correct religion.
  Example: الإسلام
• Occupation / Employment Status (الحالة المهنية)
  For most family visitors, select “La Ya‘mal / لا يعمل (Unemployed)”.
  This is normal for spouses, children, parents, and dependents.
• Gender (الجنس)
  Select Male or Female.
  Example: أنثى
• Relationship (صلة القرابة)
  Choose the correct relationship to the sponsor.
  Examples:
  • Mother – أم
  • Father – أب
  • Son – ابن
  • Husband – زوج
  • Wife – زوجة
• Mobile Number (رقم الجوال)
  Enter the applicant’s mobile number with the correct country code.

Enter Passport Details (بيانات جواز السفر)

Now, carefully enter the passport information of the family member.

• Passport Number (رقم جواز السفر)
  Enter exactly as printed on the passport.
• Passport Type (نوع الجواز)
  Select Normal / عادي.
• Passport Issue Date (تاريخ إصدار الجواز)
  Select the issue date from the passport.
• Passport Expiry Date (تاريخ انتهاء الجواز)
  Make sure the passport is valid for at least 6 months.
• Place of Passport Issuance (مكان إصدار جواز السفر)
  Enter the country or city where the passport was issued.
  Example: باكستان

Enter Visa Details (بيانات التأشيرة)

• Destination of Arrival / Visa Stamping City (جهة القدوم)
  Select the city where the visa will be stamped.
  Example: إسلام آباد

After this step, you will see the following message on the screen:

The visa validity, number of entries (single or multiple), and length of stay will be decided later by the Saudi Embassy or Consulate when they process the application.

If you want to add multiple Family Members, you can repeat the above process by adding them similary otherwise, you can Save and Submit the Application

Once submitted, the MOFA system will generate an application (Talab) number.

• Save the application number for future use.
• Print the application form for further processing.

⚠️ Keep this number safe — it is required for employer approval, chambering, and embassy submission.

Single-Name Passport Rule:
If the passport has only one name:

• Married → add spouse name
• Unmarried → add father’s name
  Consistency across documents is critical.

Step 3: Submit & Chamber the Application

In this step, you need to cooridinate to your Employer or HR Department to sign your Visa Request Electronically as no physical submissions are being entertained. Check your role and send the printed document or request number to the relevant authority.

• Private sector: Employer → Chamber of Commerce
• Government employees: Direct MOFA submission
• Domestic workers: Employer approval via Absher

⚠️ Important Reality:
Until the application is chambered, it is considered plain paper with no legal value.

Step 4: Check Visit Visa Application Status

Regularly check your family visit visa status on the MOFA website:
https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/

Once the visa is approved, share the approval with your family in their home country to proceed with embassy submission.

In some cases, MOFA may request additional documents from the Iqama holder. If requested, you must visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the required documents to continue the process.

After successful visa issuance, you will see the visa rather than the Request Document.

Step 5: Submit to Saudi Embassy / Tasheer (VFS)

Your family will submit the application to the Saudi Embassy or Consulate through an authorized agent. In Pakistan, this requires booking an appointment with Tasheer (formerly Etimad / VFS), depending on the country.

At this stage, the family visit visa fee is paid to the agent. Below is an approximate breakdown of the charges.

Approximate costs (per applicant):

• Visa fee: SR 300
• Insurance: SR 100–375
• Agent charges: SR 400–500

Step 6: Check Saudi Visa Status

Track visa stamping online using passport number.

⚠️ Saudi Immigration Rule:
Entry may be denied without a confirmed return ticket.

Read Also: How to check Visit Visa validity in KSA?

Family Visit Visa Validity & Extension

Visa Type	Validity	Extension
Single Entry	30 days	Extendable up to 270 days
Multiple Entry	90 days	❌ Not extendable

📌 2026 Reality:
Single-entry visas are most commonly issued. Multiple-entry availability fluctuates.

Real-Life Tips & Warnings (From Expats)

• Always match passport spelling exactly
• Use Arabic form for higher approval
• Save & screenshot Talab Number
• Chamber before embassy submission
• Apply during Sunday–Thursday
• Keep attested documents ready

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long can family stay on a 2026 family visit visa?

Typically 30–90 days, depending on visa type. Single-entry visas can be extended up to the allowed maximum.

Is Nafath mandatory?

Yes. Without Nafath authentication, the application cannot proceed.

Can I convert family visit visa to Iqama?

No. Saudi law does not allow conversion from visit visa to Iqama.

Is health insurance mandatory?

Yes. Insurance is compulsory and system-linked to visa issuance.

Can parents extend their stay?

Yes, extensions are possible for single-entry visas up to the permitted duration.

Who gives final approval?

Final approval is issued by the Saudi MOFA.

How to apply family visit visa in Saudi Arabia on the official website?

You need to apply only on the official website portal: MOFA portal