Profession not eligible
Sponsor's iqama title does not allow family residence.
The fix. Use the visit visa, or ask the employer to amend the profession where the qualification supports it.
Saudi Arabia family visit visa and family residence for Indian residents
Indian residents of Saudi Arabia bring family in two ways. The family visit visa (SAR 300 single entry, 90 days, or SAR 500 multiple entry for a year) is requested by the resident on the MOFA visa platform or Absher, approved in 1 to 7 days, and stamped at VFS Tasheer in India; it covers spouses, children, parents and siblings and can be extended inside the Kingdom. The permanent family (residence) visa (SAR 2,000 per person) brings the spouse and children to live as dependants on the resident's iqama, but only for residents in eligible professions such as engineer, accountant, doctor, teacher or manager with a salary of about SAR 5,000, and the sponsor pays the dependant levy of SAR 400 a month per family member plus the dependants' iqama renewals.
Saudi Arabia Family visit visa and family residence (dependant iqama): quick answers
Who can visit or join family in Saudi Arabia? For the family visit visa: the spouse, children, parents and siblings (and in-laws) of a resident with a valid iqama, requested by the resident with the relationship documents attested by the MEA and the Saudi Embassy, and approved by the Chamber of Commerce for private-sector sponsors. For the family residence visa: the spouse and children under 18 (daughters until marriage, sons until 25 in some cases) of a resident whose iqama profession is on the eligible list and whose salary meets the threshold (about SAR 5,000; higher in practice for several professions). Labourers, drivers and most domestic-worker professions cannot sponsor family residence.
What does it cost? SAR 300 for the single-entry family visit visa (90 days) or SAR 500 for a multiple-entry visa valid a year with 90-day stays, plus the VFS Tasheer service fee (about INR 2,500 to 3,000) and insurance; extensions cost SAR 100 a month through Absher. The permanent family visa costs SAR 2,000 per dependant, then about SAR 650 a year for each dependant's iqama and the dependant levy of SAR 400 a month (SAR 4,800 a year) per person. Vistolane charges the government fees at the official rate and shows its service separately.
How long does it take? The MOFA or Absher request is approved in 1 to 7 days (Chamber of Commerce attestation adds 1 to 3 days for private-sector employees), and VFS Tasheer stamps the visa in 3 to 7 working days once the relatives attend with the attested documents; the whole process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. The permanent family visa takes a similar time after the resident's eligibility is confirmed on Absher.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Family visit visa: SAR 300 single (90 days) or SAR 500 multiple (1 year); family residence visa with dependant iqama |
| Government fee | SAR 300 or SAR 500 visit; SAR 2,000 per dependant residence; dependant levy SAR 400 a month |
| Processing | Request 1 to 7 days; stamping 3 to 7 working days; 2 to 4 weeks overall |
| Sponsor | Resident with a valid iqama; residence sponsorship only in eligible professions with about SAR 5,000 salary |
| Documents | Marriage and birth certificates attested by the MEA and the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi |
| Extension | Visit visa extendable in 30-day blocks on Absher (SAR 100 a month) up to 180 days |
| Work rights | None on a visit visa; dependants on iqama may work only with a transfer to a work iqama |
| Verified | 30 Oct 2026 against mofa.gov.sa and absher.sa |
Visit or residence: which route and who qualifies
| Route | Who | Sponsor condition | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family visit visa, single | Spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws | Valid iqama; attested relationship documents | SAR 300 | 90 days; extendable to 180 |
| Family visit visa, multiple | Same | Same | SAR 500 | 1 year; 90 days per visit |
| Permanent family (residence) visa | Spouse and children | Eligible profession on the iqama; salary about SAR 5,000; Absher eligibility | SAR 2,000 per person | Dependant iqama renewed with the sponsor's |
| Visit to residence conversion | Spouse and children already on a visit visa | Sponsor eligible; conversion fee | SAR 2,000 plus levy | Inside the Kingdom since 2024 |
Indian marriage and birth certificates must be attested by the state Home Department or the MEA and then by the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi (or the Consulate in Mumbai), and translated into Arabic where requested; the resident's iqama must have at least 90 days left. Private-sector residents need the Chamber of Commerce to attest the request letter, government employees their ministry's letter. The eligible-profession list for family residence is set by the Ministry of Human Resources and the Passports Directorate (Jawazat); common Indian professions such as engineer, accountant, pharmacist, nurse, teacher, IT specialist and sales manager qualify, while labourer, driver, cleaner and most technician titles do not, which is why workers ask employers to issue the correct professional title at hiring.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family visit visa, single entry | SAR 300 | 90 days; stamped at VFS Tasheer |
| Family visit visa, multiple entry | SAR 500 | 1 year, 90 days per visit |
| VFS Tasheer service and biometrics | About INR 2,500 to 3,000 | Per applicant |
| Visit visa extension | SAR 100 per month | Absher; up to 180 days total |
| Permanent family visa | SAR 2,000 per dependant | MOFA; paid by the sponsor |
| Dependant iqama | About SAR 650 a year | Per person |
| Dependant levy | SAR 400 a month per dependant | SAR 4,800 a year each |
| Attestation (MEA and Saudi Embassy) | INR 2,000 to 5,000 per document | Marriage and birth certificates |
Vistolane charges the government fees at the official rate and shows attestation and service costs separately.
How the application runs, step by step
- Attest the relationship documents. Marriage and birth certificates: state Home Department or MEA, then the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi; Arabic translation if requested.
- Resident submits the request. MOFA visa platform or Absher with the iqama, passport copies of the relatives and attested documents; Chamber of Commerce attestation for private-sector sponsors; approval in 1 to 7 days.
- Relatives complete Enjaz and book VFS Tasheer. Enjaz form with the visa number; biometrics, passports, photos, insurance; SAR 300 or SAR 500 fee; 3 to 7 working days.
- Travel. Enter within 90 days of issue; the visit visa clock starts at entry.
- Extend or convert. Extend on Absher in 30-day blocks (SAR 100 a month) up to 180 days, or convert the spouse and children to dependant iqamas if the sponsor is eligible (SAR 2,000 plus levy).
Timeline for an Indian family
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Attestation | 1 to 3 weeks | MEA and Saudi Embassy |
| MOFA or Absher request | 1 to 7 days | Chamber attestation adds 1 to 3 days |
| Stamping at VFS Tasheer | 3 to 7 working days | Per relative |
| Entry | Within 90 days of issue | 90-day stay starts at entry |
| Residence conversion | 2 to 4 weeks | Dependant iqama issued |
Parents visiting for Ramadan or school holidays should have the request filed 6 weeks ahead; stamping slows around Hajj.
During the stay and as dependants
Visit visa holders may not work and must leave before the visa expires or extend on Absher; overstaying brings a SAR 100 a day fine and a ban. Dependants on an iqama attend Indian or international schools (SAR 15,000 to 40,000 a year), use the sponsor's health insurance and may travel on exit and re-entry visas; a dependant spouse who finds a job needs a sponsorship transfer to a work iqama with the new employer, which the Ministry allows for eligible professions. Dependants' iqamas are renewed with the sponsor's and the levy is paid at each renewal.
Residents with higher incomes can remove the sponsor system altogether through Premium Residency, covered on the Saudi Premium Residency route page, which also exempts the holder's family from the dependant levy.
Document checklist: relationship
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Marriage certificate attested by the MEA and the Saudi Embassy | Arabic translation if requested |
| Children's birth certificates, attested | Each child |
| Passports of each relative | Valid 6 months |
| Photos 4 by 6 cm | White background |
Sponsor
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Iqama valid 90 days or more | Copy |
| Eligible profession and salary (residence visa) | Iqama title; Qiwa contract or salary certificate |
| Chamber of Commerce attestation | Private-sector sponsors |
| MOFA or Absher approval and visa number | For the Enjaz form |
Relatives in India
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Enjaz application printout | With the visa number |
| Medical insurance | Included with the visa fee for visits |
| VFS Tasheer appointment | Biometrics and passport submission |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Attestation incomplete
Certificates without the Saudi Embassy stamp.
The fix. Complete MEA and Embassy attestation before the request.
Salary below the threshold
Residence visa requested on a low salary.
The fix. Show the Qiwa contract at or above the threshold or apply for a visit visa.
Iqama near expiry
Less than 90 days of validity.
The fix. Renew the iqama first.
Previous violations
Unpaid fines or overstays by the family.
The fix. Settle fines through Absher before reapplying.
Official sources
Questions, answered
How much is a Saudi family visit visa for Indians?
SAR 300 for a single-entry visa of 90 days and SAR 500 for a multiple-entry visa valid a year, plus the VFS Tasheer service fee of about INR 2,500 to 3,000 and insurance; extensions cost SAR 100 a month.
Who can sponsor family residence in Saudi Arabia?
Residents whose iqama profession is on the eligible list (engineer, accountant, doctor, teacher, manager and similar) with a salary of about SAR 5,000 or more; the permanent family visa costs SAR 2,000 per dependant plus a SAR 400 a month levy.
Can parents visit me in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, on the family visit visa, with the relationship documents attested by the MEA and the Saudi Embassy; parents can stay 90 days and extend up to 180.
Can my spouse work on a dependant iqama?
Not directly. A dependant who finds a job transfers to a work iqama under the employer's sponsorship, which the Ministry allows for eligible professions.
Does Vistolane handle Saudi family visas?
Yes. Vistolane arranges the attestation, supports the resident's MOFA or Absher request and files the Enjaz and VFS Tasheer steps, charging the SAR 300, SAR 500 or SAR 2,000 fees at the official rate.