Quick Summary
- Dependents enter Saudi Arabia on a family visit visa then convert to dependent iqama
- Eligible dependents: spouse and unmarried children — sons up to 18, daughters until marriage
- The main iqama holder sponsors all dependents — responsible for their status
- Dependent iqama fees are paid by you the sponsor — not your employer
- All dependents need their own exit re-entry visa to travel
- Dependent daughters can remain beyond age 18 if unmarried
What Is a Dependent Visa?
A dependent visa allows the immediate family of an expatriate worker in Saudi Arabia to reside in the Kingdom under the worker's sponsorship. As the main visa holder you become the legal sponsor for your family — taking on full responsibility for their residency status, travel documents and compliance with Saudi residency rules.
Dependents are residents under your sponsorship. They can live, study and access healthcare in Saudi Arabia but cannot work without separately obtaining their own work visa and iqama through a Saudi employer.
Who Qualifies as a Dependent?
| Dependent Type | Eligible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse (wife) | Yes | Legal marriage certificate required — attested |
| Sons | Yes — up to age 18 | Must transfer to own visa after turning 18 |
| Daughters | Yes — until marriage | Can remain after 18 if unmarried |
| Parents | Restricted | Higher salary threshold — check current requirements |
| Siblings | Not eligible | Cannot be sponsored as dependents |
The Two-Stage Process — Entry Then Iqama
Bringing dependents to Saudi Arabia involves two stages:
- Stage 1 — Family Visit Visa: Your dependents apply for a family visit visa at the Saudi embassy in your home country. This is the initial entry document that allows them to travel to Saudi Arabia.
- Stage 2 — Dependent Iqama: After arriving in Saudi Arabia, dependents must be registered on a dependent iqama within 90 days of arrival. The dependent iqama is the official long-term residency document that allows them to remain in the Kingdom.
Documents Required
Requirements vary by nationality but typically include the following for each dependent:
- Your valid iqama as the sponsor
- Your valid passport
- Dependent's valid passport — minimum 6 months validity
- Marriage certificate (for spouse) — must be officially translated into Arabic and attested by your home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs then the Saudi embassy
- Birth certificates (for children) — also attested and translated to Arabic
- Medical fitness certificate for dependents above certain age thresholds
- Salary certificate from your employer confirming you meet the minimum salary requirement
- Your Qiwa employment contract
- Recent passport-size photographs of each dependent
- Valid health insurance for each dependent
Step-by-Step Process
Attest All Documents in Home Country
Begin the attestation process for marriage certificate and birth certificates while you are in Saudi Arabia or during your next home visit. This is the longest part of the process — start early.
Apply for Family Visit Visa at Saudi Embassy
Your dependents apply for a family visit visa at the Saudi embassy in your home country. You may need to provide a letter from your employer supporting the application. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.
Dependents Travel to Saudi Arabia
Once the family visit visa is issued, your dependents can travel to Saudi Arabia. Meet them and keep all original documents safe for the iqama registration step that follows.
Register Dependent Iqamas Through HR
Inform your HR or PRO immediately after dependents arrive. Provide all attested documents. Your employer submits the dependent iqama registration through the Absher Business or Muqeem system. Processing takes 5–10 days.
Dependent Iqamas Issued — Verify on Absher
Once issued, each dependent receives their iqama card. Verify all details are correct — name spelling, date of birth, profession listed. Log into Absher under "My Family" to see all dependent iqamas linked to your sponsorship.
Dependent Iqama Fees — Your Responsibility
Unlike your own work iqama where fees are paid by your employer, dependent iqama costs are your personal responsibility as sponsor. Budget for:
- Dependent iqama issuance fee — one-time fee when iqama is first issued per dependent
- Annual dependent levy — a significant annual fee per dependent introduced under Vision 2030. This fee has increased year on year and is a major ongoing cost — factor it into your financial planning before bringing family
- Health insurance — mandatory for all dependents, paid by you as sponsor. Your employer's insurance typically covers only you — confirm before assuming dependents are covered
- Annual iqama renewal fee — paid each year to renew each dependent's iqama
Ongoing Management of Dependent Iqamas
Once your family is in Saudi Arabia your ongoing responsibilities as sponsor include:
- Annual renewal — renew each dependent's iqama before expiry through Absher or Muqeem. Check all dependent expiry dates monthly under "My Family" in Absher — they may differ from yours.
- Exit re-entry visas — issue exit re-entry visas for dependents through Absher before any international travel. Each dependent needs their own separate visa.
- Passport updates — when any dependent renews their passport, update the new passport number on their dependent iqama through HR.
- When you leave Saudi Arabia — your dependents' iqamas are tied to your sponsorship. When your employment ends all dependents must also exit. Plan at least 2–3 months ahead.
Can Dependents Work in Saudi Arabia?
No — dependents on family iqamas cannot work in Saudi Arabia. To work, a dependent must obtain their own separate work visa through a Saudi employer. This means:
- A new work visa application through a Saudi employer who wants to hire them
- Transfer of sponsorship from your family iqama to their employer's work iqama
- Once on their own work iqama they are no longer under your sponsorship
Frequently Asked Questions
My son just turned 18. What happens to his dependent iqama?
At 18 your son can no longer remain on your family sponsorship under standard rules. He must either find his own work visa through a Saudi employer, enroll in a Saudi university on a student visa or leave Saudi Arabia. Plan this transition at least 3 months before his 18th birthday to avoid iqama expiry issues.
How long does the full process take from start to finish?
The total process typically takes 2–4 months. Document attestation alone takes 4–6 weeks. The family visit visa application takes 2–4 weeks. Dependent iqama registration after arrival takes 5–10 days. Start early — rushing any stage creates expensive delays and stress.
Do my dependents need their own health insurance?
Yes — all residents in Saudi Arabia must have valid health insurance including dependents. Your employer's health insurance covers you only unless specifically stated otherwise. You must arrange and pay for separate dependent health coverage — this is a significant ongoing cost to factor into your budget.
Can I bring my parents to Saudi Arabia as dependents?
Sponsoring parents is possible but has stricter conditions including a higher minimum salary threshold than for spouse and children. Check the current requirements at the Saudi embassy in your country — parent sponsorship policies are updated periodically and vary by nationality.
What happens to my dependents if I am terminated suddenly?
Your dependents' iqamas remain valid until their individual expiry dates regardless of what happens to your employment. However since their sponsorship is tied to you, when your iqama is cancelled they will also need to exit. You typically have 60–90 days after employment ends to arrange an orderly departure for your family. Do not wait — start planning exit logistics the moment you know employment is ending.
Planning to Bring Your Family to Saudi Arabia?
The dependent visa process has multiple stages and document requirements that vary by nationality. Book a consultation for a clear personalised checklist for your situation and avoid costly delays — based on 20 years Saudi Arabia experience.