Living alone in Saudi Arabia is emotionally draining. The “Family Visit Visa” allows expats to bring their wives, children, parents, and even parents-in-law to the Kingdom for short stays.
In 2026, the entire process from application to visa stamping is 100% digital via the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) portal. However, making a mistake in the “Medical Insurance” or missing the 90-day extension deadline will result in hefty fines and deportation for your family members.
| Visa Type | Total Validity | Max Continuous Stay | Extension Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Entry | 90 Days | 90 Days | 100 SAR |
| Multiple Entry | 365 Days | 90 Days (Must extend) | 100 SAR + Insurance |
1. Who Can Apply & Iqama Requirements
Not every expat can bring their family. Your Iqama profession (Mahna) plays a huge role.
- Eligible Relatives: You can only apply for first-degree relatives (Wife, Husband, Children, Parents, and Parents-in-law). Brothers or sisters are generally not allowed.
- Iqama Profession: “High-tier” professions (Engineers, Managers, Technicians, Accountants) get instant MOFA approval.
- Labor Professions: If your Iqama says “Labor” (Amil Aadi) or “Driver”, the MOFA system will automatically reject the application. You must change your profession first.
Is your Iqama profession ‘Labor’? Read how to change it legally -> How to Change Iqama Profession via Qiwa
2. The Total Cost: Visa & Insurance Fees (2026)
The government fee for the visa itself is cheap, but the hidden costs add up.
- Visa Fee (MOFA): 300 SAR (Paid during the Enjaz/Tasheer stamping process).
- Chamber of Commerce Fee: 35 SAR (Paid by your sponsor to attest the MOFA request).
- Medical Insurance: Mandatory. It varies based on age. For a healthy 30-year-old, it costs around 40-100 SAR. For a 60-year-old parent, it can jump to 500+ SAR.
3. The 90-Day Extension Rule (Critical Alert)
The “Multiple Entry” visa is valid for 365 days, but your family cannot stay for 365 days continuously.
- They must extend their visa every 90 days through your Absher account.
- The 7-Day Window: You can only extend the visa when there are 7 days or less remaining before expiry.
- Insurance Renewal: Before clicking “Extend” on Absher, you must buy new medical insurance for the next 90 days. If the insurance is not updated in the CCHI system, Absher will reject the extension.
4. Overstay Fines & Deportation
If you forget to extend the visa on time, the penalties are severe in 2026.
- 1st Time Violation: 500 SAR fine.
- How to fix: Pay the fine via your bank app (SADAD), renew the insurance, and then extend the visa via Absher.
- Warning: If the visa expires and 30 days pass, the visitor becomes an “Illegal Resident”. They will be deported and banned from returning.
Need to check if your own Iqama is still valid before applying? -> How to Check Iqama Expiry Status
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I convert a Family Visit Visa into a Permanent Iqama?
A: No. In 2026, it is strictly prohibited to transfer a visit visa into a permanent family residency (Iqama). They must exit the country before the visa expires.
Q2: Can my wife perform Umrah on a Family Visit Visa?
A: Yes! Holders of the Family Visit Visa can easily perform Umrah. They just need to book an appointment through the “Nusuk” app.
Q3: Does my sponsor (Kafeel) need to approve the visa?
A: Yes. After you submit the application on the MOFA website, your employer must log into their Chamber of Commerce (Ghurfa Tijariya) account and approve/attest it online.
