How to Apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa – Step-by-Step + required translation (2025)

Jeddah Translation Office
May 15
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

If you're a foreign resident in Saudi Arabia and want to bring your loved ones for a short visit, you’ll need to apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa.

This guide walks you through every step of the application process — plus when and where translations are required.

✅ Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, you must:

Hold a valid Iqama (Saudi residency permit)
Have a profession that qualifies for sponsorship
Invite immediate family members only (spouse, children, parents, in-laws, or siblings)

❌ Friends or extended family (like cousins) are not eligible under this visa.

📋 Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa

Step 1: Submit the Application on MOFA Portal

Visit the official MOFA e-visa site.
Click “Individuals” > “Family Visit Visa Application for Residents”
Fill in the visitor's information:
- Full name (as in passport)
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Relationship to you
- Religion

📌 Important: All details must match the passport exactly.

Step 2: Print the Application & Save the Number

After submission, print the completed application
Note the application number for tracking later

Step 3: Get Employer & Chamber of Commerce Approval

Your employer must sign and stamp the application
Submit the document to the Chamber of Commerce for attestation

💡 This is usually handled by your company’s HR or PRO department.

Step 4: Track Your Application

Go to the MOFA website
Choose “Visa Application Follow-up”
Enter:
- Your Iqama number
- Your application number

📆 Processing time is typically 1 to 7 working days.

Step 5: Send the Visa Approval to Your Family

Once approved:

Download and print the visa approval document
Send it to your family member in their home country

They will need this for visa stamping.

Step 6: Complete Visa Stamping in Their Country

Your family member must visit an authorized visa agent (like VFS Tasheel) and submit:

MOFA visa approval document
Valid passport
Passport-size photos
Health insurance (as required)
Visa application form
Payment of visa fee

🔤 Translation Required: If requested to submit documents like birth or marriage certificates, they must be translated into Arabic by a certified translator and notarized.

🔁 Can the Visit Visa Be Extended?

Yes, you can extend the visa through Absher, depending on the type of visa issued.

Single-entry visas can usually be extended up to 180 days
Multiple-entry visas cannot always be extended

📌 Summary Table

Item	Details
Visa Type	Single or Multiple Entry
Validity	90 days, extendable to 180 (in some cases)
Who Can Visit	Spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws
Translation Needed?	✅ Yes, for documents like birth/marriage certificates
Visa Stamping	Done at VFS Tasheel or Saudi embassy

🧾 Translation Requirements (Explained)

When applying or extending the visa, you may be asked to provide:

Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
Birth Certificate (for children or parents)

These documents must be officially translated into Arabic and notarized. It’s best to do this before starting the visa stamping process to avoid delays.