How to Bring Your Family from the UK to Saudi Arabia. (+required translation)

Jeddah Translation Office
May 6
2 min read

Updated: May 7

For Iqama Holders (e.g. Nurses, Engineers, Doctors, etc.)

✅ Step 1: Confirm Sponsorship Eligibility

To sponsor your family, you must:

Hold a valid Iqama (residency permit)
Have a profession eligible for family sponsorship (e.g. nurse, doctor, engineer)
Earn a minimum monthly salary (typically SAR 4,000 or more)
Live in housing suitable for families (employer-provided or private)

✅ Step 2: Choose the Visa Type

🔹 Permanent Family Visa

Long-term stay; spouse and children receive their own Iqama
Requires full document attestation and translation

🔹 Family Visit Visa

Short-term (up to 6 months, renewable)
Easier process but limited benefits (e.g., no school enrollment, no dependent Iqama)

✅ Step 3: Apply Through the MOFA Portal

Go to: https://visa.mofa.gov.sa
Choose the appropriate visa application (visit or permanent)
Fill out your and your family’s details
Submit to your employer for Chamber of Commerce attestation

✅ Step 4: Prepare and Submit Documents in the UK

These documents must be:

Attested by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Legalized by the Saudi Embassy in London
Translated to Arabic (some will require re-translation in Saudi Arabia, see next section)

📄 Document	Initial Translation in UK?	Requires Translation in Saudi Arabia?
Marriage Certificate	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Certified by Saudi office)
Birth Certificates (children)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Medical Report (for permanent visa)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes, if done abroad
Police Clearance (if requested)	✅ Yes	✅ Possibly (case-by-case)
Passport Copies	❌ No	❌ No
MOFA Visa Authorization	❌ No	❌ No

✅ Step 5: Medical Tests (Permanent Visa Only)

Your spouse and adult dependents must:

Undergo a medical exam from a Saudi Embassy-approved clinic in the UK
Translate the medical report to Arabic
In some cases, it will still require re-translation by a certified Saudi office

✅ Step 6: Visa Stamping & Travel to Saudi Arabia

Once approved:

Submit documents to the Saudi Embassy (or a certified visa agent)
Visa will be stamped in the passport
Family travels to Saudi Arabia

✅ Step 7: Finalize Documents in Saudi Arabia

Re-translate key documents using a certified translation office inside Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities (Jawazat, MOFA, Absher) often require Arabic translations issued or re-certified by a local, licensed translator.

📄 Document	Must Be Translated by Saudi Translation Office?
Marriage Certificate	✅ Required
Birth Certificates	✅ Required
Medical Report	✅ Required (for Iqama processing)
Police Clearance	✅ Possibly (depends on Jawazat request)

✅ Use a certified translation office licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce. These offices provide stamped, Arabic-language translations that are officially accepted by all Saudi government agencies.