‘Expatriates may bring their families to the Kingdom’; Saudi Arabia refreshes family visa process

Saudi Arabia has introduced changes to its family visa process that could make it easier for skilled Indian professionals moving to the Kingdom to bring eligible family members with them.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that skilled expatriate heads of households can obtain entry visas for eligible family members while their own work visa procedures are being completed. The measure was reported by the Ministry of Interiors, Saudi Arabia on twitter (X).

Under the updated process, eligible dependents include the worker’s spouse, sons under the age of 25 and unmarried daughters. Their entry visa applications can be processed at the same time as the head of household’s work visa, subject to the required procedures and applicable conditions.


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For Indian professionals who are taking up skilled employment in Saudi Arabia, the change means they may not have to wait until their own work visa process is fully completed before starting the entry visa process for eligible family members.

Previously, expatriate workers generally had to complete their own employment and residency procedures before beginning the process of bringing eligible family members to the Kingdom. Under the new arrangement, the two processes can move forward concurrently for qualifying skilled workers.

Who can be brought under the new process?

The measure covers three categories of eligible dependants:

• Spouse
• Sons below 25 years of age
• Unmarried daughters

The Ministry of Interior said the family members can obtain entry visas alongside the completion of the skilled expatriate worker’s employment visa procedures.

However, the change does not mean that family members automatically receive residence status immediately after entering Saudi Arabia. Once they arrive in the Kingdom, their residence permit procedures must still be completed in accordance with Saudi laws, regulations and applicable guidelines.

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What does it mean for Indian workers?

Saudi Arabia is a major destination for Indian workers, particularly professionals employed across sectors such as technology, engineering, healthcare, finance, construction and other skilled occupations. For Indians moving to the Kingdom for employment, the revised process could reduce the gap between starting a new job and bringing eligible family members.

The announcement does not specify a new salary threshold or remove other eligibility requirements for skilled expatriate workers. Applicants will still have to meet the relevant conditions and complete the required visa procedures.

The Ministry of Interior detailed the measure was introduced in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. It is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve the quality of life for residents and streamline procedures for skilled expatriate workers.

For Indian professionals planning employment in Saudi Arabia, the key change is that eligible family entry visa procedures can now be undertaken alongside the worker’s own work visa process, rather than waiting for the worker’s process to be completed first.

Step-by-step guide for Indians:

Step 1: Confirm eligibility
The Indian worker must be an eligible skilled expatriate and the head of the household. The announcement covers the worker’s spouse, sons below 25 and unmarried daughters.

Step 2: Complete the worker’s employment visa process
The worker begins the employment visa process through the applicable Saudi procedures. Under the new arrangement, the worker does not necessarily have to wait until the entire work visa process is completed before starting the family-entry process.

Step 3: Submit the family visa application
The eligible family members’ entry visa applications can be processed concurrently with the completion of the skilled worker’s employment visa procedures. The Ministry of Interior says this is subject to completing the required application conditions.

Step 4: Provide the required information and supporting documents

Step 5: Obtain the family members’ entry visas
If the application meets the applicable requirements, entry visas can be issued for the eligible family members alongside the worker’s employment visa procedures. The new measure therefore changes the timing of the family-entry process, rather than eliminating the requirement to meet Saudi visa conditions.

Step 6: Enter Saudi Arabia
The eligible family members can travel to Saudi Arabia using the issued entry visas, subject to the conditions and validity attached to those visas.

Step 7: Complete residence procedures after arrival
The new announcement makes clear that entry visas are not the end of the process. Once family members enter Saudi Arabia, their residence permit procedures must be completed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and procedures.