Family Visit & Dependent Iqama in Saudi Arabia
Bringing family to Saudi - budget the 400 SAR per month dependent fee, plan the Enjaz visa, and read the salary fine print.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
Saudi Arabia lets resident workers sponsor spouses, unmarried children (under 18 for sons, any age for unmarried daughters), and in some cases parents, subject to salary thresholds set by the Ministry of Human Resources.
The process splits into two phases: an entry visa issued via Enjaz from the family's home country, then conversion to a dependent Iqama on Muqeem after they arrive.
The headline ongoing cost is the dependent fee: 400 SAR per dependent per month (4,800 SAR per year), paid by the worker, in addition to mandatory health insurance for each dependent.
Documents required
- Sponsor's valid Iqama (must be in a profession eligible to sponsor)
- Attested marriage certificate (MOFA-attested in home country and Saudi embassy)
- Attested birth certificates for children
- Sponsor's salary certificate from Qiwa-registered employer
- Sponsor's housing contract (Ejar-registered)
- Family members' passports valid 6+ months
- Family medical fitness certificates from Saudi-approved clinics in home country
Eligibility
- Sponsor holds a valid Iqama under a profession permitted to sponsor family
- Sponsor's salary meets the threshold (typically 5,000-10,000 SAR depending on profession; confirm on Qiwa)
- Sponsor has Ejar-registered accommodation
- Marriage and birth certificates are MOFA-attested
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family visit visa (Enjaz) | 300-500 SAR | Single or multiple entry; varies by duration. Confirm current rate on Enjaz. |
| Family residence visa (Enjaz) | 2,000 SAR | Per dependent. Confirm current amount on Enjaz. |
| Dependent Iqama issuance | 650 SAR | Per year, per dependent. |
| Dependent fee (mandatory) | 4,800 SAR | Per dependent per year (400 SAR/month). Paid by the worker via SADAD. |
| Dependent health insurance | Varies SAR | Typically 800-2,500 SAR/year per dependent. |
| Document attestation (per document) | Varies SAR | Done in home country; budget USD 100-300 equivalent. |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm eligibility and salary
Check on Qiwa that your profession allows family sponsorship and your salary meets the current threshold. Some 'skilled trade' professions are excluded.
online
- 2
Attest documents in home country
Get marriage and birth certificates attested by your home country's foreign ministry and then the Saudi embassy.
1-4 weeks · center
- 3
Apply on Enjaz for family residence visa
Submit the application on the Enjaz portal, attach attested documents and pay the visa fee. The visa is sent to the Saudi embassy nearest your family.
1-3 weeks · online
- 4
Stamp visa and travel
Family attends the Saudi embassy for biometrics and visa stamping, then travels to Saudi Arabia within visa validity.
1-2 weeks · center
- 5
Issue dependent Iqama on Muqeem
Within 90 days of arrival, sponsor opens a request on Muqeem, pays the dependent fee and Iqama issuance fee, and submits health insurance.
3-7 days · online
Processing time: End-to-end: 6-10 weeks. Enjaz visa alone: 1-3 weeks once documents are attested.
Renewal
Family Iqamas renew alongside the sponsor's Iqama. Dependent fee must be paid in full for the renewal period before Muqeem will renew.
Fines & penalties
- Unpaid dependent fee: blocks renewal and exit/re-entry visas
- Failure to issue dependent Iqama within 90 days of arrival: 500 SAR fine
- Overstaying family visit visa: 100 SAR/day plus possible ban
Common pitfalls
- Forgetting that the dependent fee is per dependent (multiplies fast for large families)
- Skipping MOFA attestation - Enjaz will reject the application
- Letting your Ejar housing contract lapse - sponsorship requires active registered housing
- Confusing 'visit visa' (no residency) with 'family residence visa' (leads to Iqama)
FAQs
400 SAR per dependent per month (4,800 SAR/year). It applies to every dependent on your Iqama and is paid before each renewal cycle.
Parents can typically come on a long family-visit visa, but a residency for parents is restricted to specific high-skill professions and requires Ministry approval.
There's no single number - the threshold depends on profession code and varies between 5,000 and 10,000 SAR. Confirm yours on Qiwa or with your HR.
Yes. All dependents over 12 must complete a Saudi-approved medical exam either before travel or shortly after arrival.
Usually no - residency must be applied for from outside Saudi Arabia. Visit visa holders normally need to travel out and re-enter on a family residence visa.
Yes, since 2019. A dependent spouse or child over 18 can work in Saudi Arabia without transferring sponsorship, provided they obtain a work permit on Qiwa.
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