Saudi Arabia family visit visa 2026: Fees & Requirements

Q: How long is the Saudi Arabia family visit visa valid for?

The visa allows a maximum stay of up to 180 days per visit, which can be extended online via Absher before the initial period expires.

Q: What is the total estimated cost of the visa?

The total cost typically ranges between 780 and 915 SAR, covering the 300 SAR base fee, Enjaz charges, Chamber attestation, and health insurance.

Q: Can I sponsor my siblings on a family visit visa?

No, siblings, grandparents, and aunts/uncles are not eligible. Only spouses, parents, children, and parents-in-law qualify.

Q: How do I extend the visa?

You can extend the visa through the Absher platform at least 7 days before expiry by paying 100 SAR per 30-day increment.

Key takeaways

The Saudi Arabia family visit visa allows eligible professionals to bring close relatives for up to 180 days.
Total estimated fees range from 780 to 915 SAR, including MOFA fees, insurance, and attestation.
Applications are submitted through the MOFA portal and paid via Enjaz.
Extensions must be processed via Absher at least 7 days before the visa expires.

As of November 2026, the Saudi Arabia family visit visa lets eligible Iqama holders bring close relatives — spouse, parents, and children — for stays up to 180 days per visit. Applications run through the MOFA and Enjaz platforms, with official fees starting at 300 SAR plus Chamber of Commerce attestation and mandatory health insurance. Extensions are managed online via the Absher portal before the visa expires.

Quick answer: Saudi Arabia family visit visa at a glance

Item	Details (as of Nov 2026)
Who can apply	Iqama holders (professions: engineer, doctor, teacher, accountant, manager, technician, driver, etc.)
Eligible relatives	Spouse, parents, children (under 18 or unmarried daughters), in-laws (mother/father-in-law) — siblings excluded
Max stay per visit	180 days (single entry) or 90 days (multiple entry)
Base visa fee	300 SAR per person
Mandatory add-ons	Health insurance (~180–300 SAR), Chamber of Commerce attestation (200 SAR), Enjaz service fee (~100 SAR)
Total estimated cost	~780–900 SAR per applicant
Application platforms	MOFA visa portal → Enjaz payment → Absher for extension
Extension limit	Up to 180 days total; apply at least 7 days before expiry via Absher

Not every Iqama holder can sponsor a Saudi Arabia family visit visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) restricts sponsorship to professional categories — engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers, accountants, IT specialists, managers, supervisors, and skilled technicians. Labourers, farmers, drivers on individual sponsorship, and domestic workers are generally not eligible. Your Iqama profession must match the approved list at the time of application; check the MOFA portal for the current list, as it updates quarterly.

Approved professions list (2026 snapshot)

Category	Examples
Engineering	Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, petroleum
Medical	Doctor, dentist, pharmacist, nurse, lab technician
Education	Teacher, professor, trainer, academic researcher
Finance & IT	Accountant, auditor, financial analyst, software developer, network engineer
Management	General manager, project manager, supervisor, HR manager
Skilled trades	Electrician, welder, HVAC technician, heavy equipment operator

Source: MOFA circular 2026/03, updated quarterly. Always verify on the MOFA visa portal before applying.

Eligible family members — who you can and cannot bring

Yes: Wife/husband, father, mother, children (sons under 18, unmarried daughters any age), mother-in-law, father-in-law.
No: Brothers, sisters, married daughters, grandparents, cousins, aunts/uncles.
Note: If your wife is on your Iqama as a dependent, she cannot sponsor her own parents — only the primary Iqama holder can.

Saudi Arabia family visit visa 2026 fees — full breakdown

Fees are paid in Saudi riyals (SAR) via the Enjaz platform. The 300 SAR base fee is fixed; other costs vary by provider.

Fee component	Amount (SAR)	Paid to
Visa issuance fee	300	MOFA (via Enjaz)
Enjaz service charge	95–115	Enjaz/partner banks
Chamber of Commerce attestation	200	Local Chamber (sponsor's city)
Mandatory health insurance	180–300	Approved insurers (Tawuniya, Bupa Arabia, etc.)
Typical total	775–915

Prices sourced from Enjaz payment portal and Chamber of Commerce circulars, November 2026. Insurance premium depends on applicant age and coverage tier.

Insurance providers approved by CCHI (2026)

Insurer	Typical premium (SAR)	Coverage
Tawuniya	180–250	SAR 100k–500k medical
Bupa Arabia	200–300	SAR 150k–1M medical
Medgulf	190–280	SAR 100k–500k medical
Al Rajhi Takaful	185–260	SAR 100k–500k medical

Choose a policy that covers at least SAR 100,000 for emergency treatment and repatriation. Purchase before Enjaz payment; the policy number is required at checkout.

Step-by-step: apply via MOFA and Enjaz

Log in to the MOFA visa portal with your Absher credentials.
Select "Family Visit Visa" → fill applicant details (passport copy, photo, relationship proof).
Upload sponsor documents: Iqama copy, salary certificate (last 3 months), Chamber of Commerce membership certificate.
Submit → receive application number.
Pay fees on Enjaz using the application number.
Track status on MOFA portal; visa PDF issued within 3–7 working days.

Pro tip: Apply Sunday–Wednesday for faster processing. Thursday submissions often sit until Sunday.

Document	Sponsor provides	Visitor provides
Passport copy	—	Valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages
Photo	—	White background, 4×6 cm, no glasses
Iqama copy	Front & back	—
Salary certificate	Last 3 months, stamped by HR	—
Chamber membership	Valid certificate	—
Relationship proof	Marriage/birth certificates (translated to Arabic, attested by Saudi embassy in home country)	—
Health insurance	—	Policy covering SAR 100k+ medical

Document translation & attestation details

Marriage and birth certificates must be translated by a certified Saudi translator (list on MOFA site).
Translated documents need attestation from the Saudi embassy/consulate in the visitor's home country.
If documents are issued in a third country, they must be legalised by that country's foreign ministry first.
Keep both original and translated copies; the embassy may request originals at the visa interview (rare for family visit).

Absher family visit visa extension — online steps

You can extend a Saudi Arabia family visit visa up to the 180-day cap. Start the process at least 7 days before expiry — late applications are rejected and the visitor must exit.

Open Absher → "My Services" → "Passport Services" → "Extend Visit Visa".
Select the visitor's record.
Choose extension period (30, 60, or 90 days — cannot exceed 180 total).
Pay extension fee: 100 SAR per 30 days (paid via Sadad/mada).
Confirm — updated visa shows instantly in Absher and Tawakkalna.

Common rejection reasons: visitor already at 180 days, sponsor's Iqama expiring within 30 days, unpaid traffic violations on sponsor's record, insurance expired.

Saudi visit visa max stay limit — what 180 days really means

Single-entry visa: 180 days from date of entry. No re-entry after exit.
Multiple-entry visa: 90 days per entry, 180 days total within a 12-month window. Rare for family visit; usually reserved for business.
Overstay penalty: 50 SAR/day after expiry, plus potential ban on future visas for sponsor and visitor.
Exit re-entry: If visitor leaves before 180 days, remaining days are forfeited. A new application is required for return.

Enjaz platform Saudi visa — payment & tracking tips

Enjaz is the exclusive payment gateway. Use a Saudi-issued mada card or Sadad for instant confirmation. International cards often trigger 3D Secure failures. After payment, the reference number appears in your MOFA dashboard — save it. Visa status updates: "Under Process" → "Approved" → "Issued". If stuck on "Under Process" beyond 7 working days, raise a ticket via MOFA's "Contact Us" with the application number.

Iqama holder family visa — profession restrictions & salary threshold

MOFA's 2026 circular lists 27 approved professions. Minimum salary: 5,000 SAR/month for single sponsor; 7,000 SAR if sponsoring parents + spouse + children. The salary certificate must be issued by the employer's HR, stamped, and not older than 30 days at submission. Self-employed sponsors (e.g., company owners) need a valid commercial registration (CR) and Chamber certificate showing active status.

2026 updates: what changed from 2025

Insurance minimum raised from SAR 50k to SAR 100k (CCHI circular 2026/01).
Chamber attestation fee standardised at 200 SAR nationwide (previously varied by city).
Absher extension window reduced from 14 to 7 days before expiry.
Profession list added 3 new tech roles: AI specialist, cybersecurity analyst, cloud engineer.
Multiple-entry family visit now requires MOFA pre-approval (rarely granted).

How to track application status

Log into MOFA portal → "My Applications".
Enter application number (from submission receipt).
Statuses: Submitted → Under Review → Approved → Issued.
Once "Issued", download the visa PDF (valid for 90 days to enter).
If status shows "Rejected", click for reason; common: mismatched profession, expired Iqama, missing attestation.

Re-applying after visitor exits

If the visitor leaves before 180 days, the unused days are lost. To bring them again:

Wait at least 30 days after exit (MOFA cooling-off period).
Submit a fresh application on MOFA portal — previous data is not auto-filled.
Pay all fees again (no discount for repeat visits).
Ensure sponsor's Iqama and salary certificate are still valid.

Common mistakes that delay or reject applications

Passport expiry < 6 months from intended entry date.
Marriage/birth certificates not translated by a certified Saudi translator.
Insurance policy from a non-approved provider (check CCHI list).
Sponsor's Iqama expiring within 90 days — renew Iqama first.
Applying for multiple-entry when only single-entry is allowed for family visit.
Salary certificate older than 30 days or missing HR stamp.
Chamber of Commerce certificate expired or not matching sponsor's city.

Contact and support

MOFA Visa Call Centre: 9200 333 34 (inside KSA), +966 11 406 7777 (outside).
Enjaz Support: 9200 111 14 (Arabic/English).
Absher Help: 9200 204 05 or via Absher app chat.
CCHI Insurance Verification: cchi.gov.sa → "Verify Policy".

Frequently Asked Questions About the Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa

Here are answers to the most common questions regarding eligibility, processing, and extensions for family visit visas in Saudi Arabia.

Applicants frequently wonder about the exact timeline for approval, how extensions affect total stay duration, and what happens if a document is rejected. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) processes most properly filled applications within 3 to 7 working days, provided that your Chamber of Commerce attestation and salary certificate match your Iqama record. It is vital to ensure your insurance policy is active through a CCHI-approved provider before you complete your payment on the Enjaz platform. If you encounter any delays, checking your status via the MOFA dashboard or contacting the support helpline directly will help resolve issues quickly. Always maintain digital copies of your receipts, approved visas, and attestation papers to ensure smooth travel and hassle-free entry at Saudi airports.

Additional considerations include ensuring that your sponsor profession remains active on the approved quarterly list and verifying that your passport validity extends well beyond your intended return date. By following official guidelines and double-checking your paperwork against MOFA requirements, you can avoid common rejections and secure your family visit visa efficiently.

Additional Guidance for Visitors and Sponsors

Navigating the Saudi visa system requires careful attention to detail. Sponsors must ensure that all dependent documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, are duly attested by the Saudi embassy in their home country. Keeping track of your visa expiration date on the Absher platform prevents accidental overstays and the associated fines. Planning your application timeline around weekends and official holidays can also speed up the overall approval process significantly.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Saudi Arabia family visit visa valid for?