Saudi Arabia Eases Family Entry for Skilled Workers
In a significant move to streamline the relocation process for expatriates, Saudi Arabia has announced a new policy allowing highly skilled workers to apply for family entry visas at the same time as their own work visas.
The announcement, made by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), marks a major departure from previous regulations. Previously, heads of households were required to wait until their own residency procedures within the Kingdom were fully completed before they could initiate visa applications for their dependents.
Simultaneous Visa Processing
Under the updated guidelines, eligible highly skilled workers can now initiate entry visa applications for their family members simultaneously with their own work-visa files. This means families may enter the Kingdom even before the worker has finalized their official residence procedures.
Once the family members arrive in Saudi Arabia, their residence permits (Iqama) will be processed and finalized in accordance with existing national regulations.
Who is Eligible for the New Policy?
The updated policy specifically targets highly skilled professionals and defines eligible family members as follows:
- Spouses: Legal husbands or wives.
- Sons: Male children up to the age of 25.
- Daughters: Unmarried female children.
Notably, the age limit for sons represents a significant expansion of previous guidance, which frequently cited an age limit of 18. This change provides much greater flexibility for families with older dependents.
Workers are advised to verify their 'highly skilled' status through the Qiwa portal, as the ministry has not released a new list of qualifying professions or updated salary thresholds in this specific announcement.
Requirements and Financial Obligations
While the process is now faster, several strict requirements remain in place to ensure compliance with Saudi law. Applicants must provide:
- Valid medical insurance.
- Attested marriage certificates.
- Attested birth certificates.
- Official requests from the employer.
Prospective residents should also be aware that existing financial obligations remain unchanged. This includes the work-permit levy for the employee and the dependent fee, which is generally SAR 400 per month per dependent upon renewal.
It is important to note that this policy does not extend to all Article 18 workers; categories such as domestic workers or ordinary labor are currently excluded from these concurrent application benefits.
Essential Advice for Relocating Families
To avoid unnecessary financial loss or legal complications, the Ministry and authorities suggest several precautions for arriving families:
- Travel Bookings: Refrain from purchasing non-refundable travel tickets until the entry visa has been officially issued.
- Post-Arrival Procedures: Immediately after landing, families must complete all necessary medical checks, Iqama processing, and Absher registration.
- Separate Matters: Be aware that housing contracts, school enrollments, and exit/re-entry procedures are handled as separate administrative matters.
- Overstay Penalties: Strict overstay rules remain in effect, with visitor overstays typically incurring a fine of SAR 100 per day.