Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, that highly skilled expatriate workers can now bring eligible family members to the Kingdom while their own work visa procedures are still being completed, rather than only after those procedures are finished. The ministry said the change was coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and forms part of the Kingdom’s commitment to improving quality of life for residents.
The change applies to heads of households classified as highly skilled expatriate workers. Eligible dependants are spouses, sons under the age of 25, and unmarried daughters. Their entry visas can now be issued concurrently with the completion of the primary worker’s own employment visa procedures, provided all application requirements are met. Residence-permit (Iqama) procedures for family members are then finalized after they enter the Kingdom, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Under the previous rules, an expatriate worker generally had to already be residing in Saudi Arabia with a valid Iqama before sponsoring eligible family members. A 2024 newcomers’ guide listed eligible dependants as a spouse, sons under 18, and unmarried daughters, and required a valid Iqama, a qualifying profession, and a minimum salary of SAR 3,500. The Ministry of Interior’s earlier guidance also specified that a householder’s residence permit covered a wife and legal minor children, while sons or daughters over 18 needed a separate visa. Arabian Business noted the practical effect of the change: eligible skilled expatriate workers no longer need to wait until their own work visa process is complete before obtaining entry visas for qualifying family members.
References
Saudi Gazette – Saudi Arabia allows highly skilled expats to bring families alongside work visa process / Arabian Business – Saudi Arabia changes family visa rules / The Siasat Daily – Expats in Saudi can now bring families during work visa process
