How to Apply for a Family Visit Visa Online

Family Visit Visa Application Guide

If you’re an expatriate residing in Saudi Arabia and excited to bring your family for a memorable visit, applying for a family visit visa is an important step in this process. Fortunately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) provides an online portal for an easy application. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process, explaining the required documents and providing valuable tips for a successful application. So let’s get started.

Eligible Family Members

When applying for a family visit visa, it’s important to understand which family members are eligible to be included in your application. Generally, immediate family members such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings are eligible. In some cases, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws, and other close relatives may also qualify.

Visa Application Criteria and Eligibility

Unlike before, iqama holders of all professions, including laborers and house drivers, can now apply for a family visit visa in Saudi Arabia. To apply, you will need a valid Iqama with a minimum of 3 months validity, applicant passport information, and active Nafath account.

Applying for a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia

To apply for a family visit visa in Saudi Arabia, follow these steps:

1. Visit MOFA Portal: Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) portal at https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Home/Index.
2. Select Service: Choose “Services for Citizens and Residents” from the home screen.
3. Choose Resident Option: Select the “Resident” option and then click the “Apply” button under the “Family Visit Visa Application for Residents” tab.
4. Log in: Log in with your Nafath account.

Fill Out the Application Form

To fill out the online visa application form for a family visit visa in Saudi Arabia, follow these steps:

1. Automatic Details: On the first page, the system will automatically fetch your details. Enter the following information:
   • Address: Should match the city where you submit the visa application, the Chamber of Commerce.
   • Visit Objective: “زيارة أفراد الأسرة” (Family Visit)
   • Saudi Visa Number: If applicable, as written on your work visa stamped on your passport at the time of entering Saudi Arabia. If you were born in KSA, leave the field blank.
2. Add Details: Click the “Add” button. On the next page, enter the personal details of the family visit visa applicant, including:
   • Name as per passport (in English only)
   • Birth Date
   • Birth Place
   • Gender
   • Occupation (in Arabic)
   • Mobile Number
   • Religion
   • Relationship (select “Others” if applying for someone else, such as a brother or sister)
3. Passport Details: Scroll down and enter the passport details of the applicant, including:
   • Passport Number
   • Passport Type: Normal
   • Passport Issue Date
   • Passport Expiry Date
   • Passport Issue Location (the country of the passport holder)
4. Select Visa Type: Scroll down further and select the type of family visit visa you wish to apply for:
   • Single-entry visit visa (valid for 90 days with 2 possible 90-day extensions, for a total of 270 days)
   • Multiple-entry visit visa (valid for 90 days, with a possible 30-day extension through a Tawasul request)
5. Add Additional Applicants: If applying for more than one family member, click the “Add” button again to enter their details.
6. Agreement Approval: Check the “Agreement Approval” box and click the “Save” button.

Once you have finished filling out the form, the MOFA website will give you a reference number. Keep this number as you will use it later to check the status of your visa. Also, remember to print out the form for further processing.

Submission and Approval Process

After filling out the application, you will need to have your employer sign and stamp it.

• If you are a private employee, you will then submit the application to the chamber of commerce in the same city as the address you provided in the application.
• If you are a government employee, you will submit the application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• For domestic workers including house drivers, the employer can approve the visa through the MOFA website itself. For this follow the options Service for Citizens and Residents > Citizen > Ratify individuals applications.

Once your visa has been approved, you will need to submit it to the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in your home country for processing.