Saudi Arabia has changed its family visa rules to allow eligible skilled expatriate workers to apply for entry visas for qualifying family members while their own work visa is still being processed.
The new arrangement means workers who meet the eligibility requirements no longer have to complete their individual work visa process before starting the entry visa process for their dependants.
The Ministry of Interior announced the change on Wednesday, saying it was introduced in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Family visa applications can now run concurrently
Under the revised process, eligible expatriate workers can apply at the same time for entry visas for:
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Spouses
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Sons below the age of 25
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Unmarried daughters
Previously, skilled expatriate workers generally had to complete their own work visa procedures before beginning the entry visa process for eligible family members.
The new arrangement could reduce the waiting time for workers relocating to Saudi Arabia with their families, allowing family members to begin their entry visa process earlier.
However, the change does not remove existing residency requirements.
The Ministry of Interior said spouses and children will still need to complete the applicable residency procedures after arriving in Saudi Arabia. Their residency status will remain subject to the Kingdom's existing regulations and guidelines.
The measure is also limited to the specified categories of dependants. Expatriate workers will therefore need to confirm that individual family members meet the eligibility requirements before applying.
Part of wider changes to expatriate rules
The family visa adjustment comes as Saudi Arabia continues to revise its labour and immigration framework for foreign workers, particularly skilled professionals.
In August 2026, Nairametrics reported that Saudi Arabia introduced new limits on the number of work visas businesses can obtain for foreign workers.
Under those rules, companies operating for less than two years can obtain up to five work visas, while businesses that have operated for more than two years can access as many as 50. The system links visa availability more closely to employers' operating history and workforce classification.
Saudi Arabia has also introduced a skill-based work permit system that classifies expatriate workers into three categories: high-skill, skilled, and basic. The system considers factors including education, professional experience, technical or vocational qualifications, wages and age.
The new classification became applicable to new foreign workers entering Saudi Arabia from August 3, 2025.
Premium residents still need work permits
Saudi Arabia has also tightened some employment requirements for foreign residents.
In June 2026, the Kingdom ended the work permit exemption previously available to Premium Residency holders. Nairametrics reported that affected residents must obtain a separate work permit through the Qiwa platform before starting employment.
Employment contracts must also be registered, while workers are required to be enrolled with the General Organisation for Social Insurance.
What the family visa change means for expatriates
The latest measure primarily changes when family entry visa applications can begin, rather than eliminating Saudi Arabia's existing requirements for dependants.
For eligible skilled expatriate workers, the main benefit is the ability to start the family entry visa process alongside their own work visa application.
This could make relocation easier for workers moving to Saudi Arabia with their immediate families, while the Kingdom continues to maintain separate requirements for employment, entry and residency.
Source: Nairametrics