Applying for a Permanent Family Visa in Saudi Arabia
Here’s a guide on how to apply for a permanent family visa in Saudi Arabia, whether online or through Istiqdam:
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for a permanent family visa, expatriates must meet specific requirements:
- Iqama (residency permit) validity should be at least 3 months.
- Holding an acceptable profession is necessary.
- Visa application is limited to spouses and children.
- Sons above 18 years are ineligible.
- Only one wife can be sponsored at a time.
- Parents cannot be sponsored.
- Minimum salary requirement as per GOSI Certificate: SR 3,500.
Fee Payment:
- The fee for a permanent family visa is SR 2,000 in 2023.
- Government employees are exempt from this fee.
Online Application Process:
- Log in to your Absher account and navigate to “My Services.”
- Select “Expatriates Services” and click on “New Family Visa Application.”
- Fill out personal details and submit the application.
- After approval, print the Family Visa Recruitment Form and submit it to your company’s HR.
- The HR will authenticate the application through the Chamber of Commerce website.
- Download the approved document from Absher for further processing.
Documents Required for Istiqdam Application:
- Istiqdam Form with company seal and authorized signature.
- Copies of iqama, Saudi visa, and passports.
- Attested degree, marriage, and birth certificates.
- Final exit visa copy (if applicable).
- Salary certificate, GOSI certificate, and professional certifications.
- Commercial registration certificate of your employer.
Post-Application Process:
- Upon approval, obtain the visa number for visa stamping in your home country.
- Be aware of possible rejection reasons and take necessary actions.
Applying through Istiqdam:
- Book an Istiqdam appointment in the city where your documents are attested.
By following these steps and ensuring all documents are in order, you can successfully apply for a permanent family visa in Saudi Arabia.
Applying for Permanent Family Visa: Istiqdam Process
When applying for a permanent family visa in Saudi Arabia through Istiqdam, follow these steps:
Visit the Istiqdam Office:
- Gather all necessary documents in a file and schedule an appointment at the Istiqdam office.
- If you’re in Jeddah, visit the Istiqdam Jawazat Office located in the Rehab District.
Obtain the Yellow Slip:
- During your appointment, after approximately 30 minutes, you’ll receive a yellow slip if everything is in order.
- Verify that the information on the yellow slip is accurate.
- If any details are incorrect, you have 3 working days to make corrections at Istiqdam.
Yellow Slip Validity:
- The yellow slip or the permanent family visa issued by Istiqdam is valid for 1 Hijri Year (approximately 354 or 355 days) from the date of issuance.
- Within this period, you must process the visa in your home country.
Post-Application Process:
- After about two weeks of obtaining the visa, you can engage an agent in your home country to have the visa stamped on your passport.
- In certain countries like Pakistan, Etimad is authorized by the Saudi government for visa stamping.
Birth After Visa Issuance:
- If a baby is born after the permanent family visa is issued from Saudi Arabia, there’s no need for modification.
- Submit the newborn’s documents to your agent along with the mother’s passport, and the Saudi Embassy will stamp the visa accordingly.
Canceling Permanent Family Visa
If you decide not to bring your family to Saudi Arabia, you can cancel the permanent family visa and receive a refund of SR 2,000 before it’s stamped on the passport. Here’s what you need to do:
Required Documents:
- Letter from your sponsor addressed to the Jawazat officer, explaining the reason for canceling the visa. This letter must be authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce.
- Original and copy of your Iqama.
- Original and copy of your passport.
- Original Yellow Slip or a copy of the visa issued by Istiqdam.
Visiting Istiqdam:
- Visit the Istiqdam office where you applied for the visa.
- Fill out a form provided by Istiqdam. If you’re not proficient in Arabic, seek assistance or hire an agent for a fee (around SR 15) to fill it out.
- Submit the form and all required documents to the visa officer at Istiqdam.
- Your permanent family visa will be canceled, and the SR 2,000 fee will be fully refunded to the original payment account.
Refund Process:
- It may take approximately 1.5 months to receive the refund of the permanent family visa fee.
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