Saudi Arabia family reunification visa guide

What Is a Family Reunification Visa?

A family reunification visa in Saudi Arabia allows citizens and residents to sponsor close relatives to join them. The government recognizes certain family relationships and requires sponsors to meet specific conditions. This visa type helps keep families together while living and working in the kingdom.

Who Can Sponsor Family Members?

To sponsor someone, you typically need to be:

• A Saudi citizen or a legal resident with an active work permit
• Financially stable and able to support dependents
• The main breadwinner or authorized family representative
• Legally married or the biological parent of the relative you're sponsoring

Most programs focus on spouses, children, and sometimes parents or siblings, depending on your visa status and employment situation.

Which Family Members Can Be Sponsored?

Common relatives you may sponsor include:

• Your spouse or husband
• Unmarried children (usually up to a certain age)
• Dependent parents or grandparents
• Siblings in specific circumstances

Age limits and dependency requirements vary. Your employer or sponsor may also have their own rules about who qualifies.

Basic Requirements and Documents

You'll generally need:

• A valid passport and residence permit
• Proof of financial support (salary statements, bank records)
• Marriage certificate or birth certificate (officially translated)
• Medical examination results for the relative
• Police clearance certificate from their home country
• Passport photos
• Completed application forms

All documents must be officially translated into Arabic if they're in another language.

The Application Process

The typical steps include:

1. Get your employer's or sponsor's approval (if required)

2. Gather and translate required documents

3. Submit your application to the relevant government department

4. Attend medical screening appointments

5. Wait for approval and visa issuance

6. Arrange travel to Saudi Arabia

Processing times vary based on completeness of your application and current workload at immigration offices.

Important Things to Know

Family reunification visas require ongoing compliance. You must maintain your employment, financial stability, and legal status. If your circumstances change—like losing your job—your sponsored family members' visas may be affected. Rules differ for Saudi citizens versus foreign residents, so confirm which rules apply to your situation.

Your employer's sponsorship level also matters. Some companies have limits on how many family members employees can bring, or require minimum salary thresholds.

This is general self-help information, not legal advice. Always verify current rules on the official government website.