What Is the Yellow Slip in Saudi Arabia?

Jeddah Translation Office
Aug 3
2 min read

If you're an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia and want to bring your family to join you, you've probably heard about the Yellow Slip (تأشيرة الاستقدام الورقية). But what exactly is it? And how can you get it?

At JCT Translation Office, we guide hundreds of clients through this process every month — from preparing documents to certified translations. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Yellow Slip in Saudi Arabia.

✅ What Is the Yellow Slip?

The Yellow Slip is an official paper issued by Istiqdam (Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior Recruitment Department) after your application for a family residence visa (استقدام عائلي) is approved.

It acts as the entry visa approval that your family will use to apply at the Saudi embassy in your home country.

📋 Who Can Apply for a Yellow Slip?

You are eligible to apply if you:

Have a valid Iqama
Work in a profession eligible for family sponsorship (e.g., Engineer, Doctor, IT Specialist)
Earn a minimum monthly salary (usually SAR 3,500+ depending on dependents)

If you're not sure whether your job title qualifies, our team at JCT can check for you.

📄 Required Documents for Yellow Slip (2025)

Before visiting Istiqdam, prepare the following:

Valid Iqama (original + copy)
Passport copy
Attested degree certificate (home country + Saudi Embassy + MOFA)
Salary certificate (from employer, stamped)
Letter to Istiqdam from employer (Arabic, Chamber of Commerce stamped)
Marriage certificate (for wife), birth certificates (for children) – all translated into Arabic and attested
Completed application form for family visa
Optional: GOSI statement or copy of your contract

🔸 Note: All foreign documents must be translated by a certified translation office like JCT.

🗓️ How to Apply for the Yellow Slip

1. Book Appointment at Istiqdam

Visit the Ministry of Labor website: mol.gov.sa
Choose your region and book an Istiqdam appointment online.

2. Attend Your Appointment

Visit the Istiqdam Office at the scheduled time with all your documents.
If approved, you'll receive the Yellow Slip immediately or within a few days.

3. Send the Yellow Slip to Your Family

Your family will use this document to apply at the Saudi Embassy in your home country.
They will also need to pass medical tests and submit other forms as required by the embassy.

📌 Important Notes About the Yellow Slip

The Yellow Slip is usually valid for 60 days
The process is smoother if all documents are accurately translated and attested
Processing time varies depending on your region and job title