Yes, foreign employees in Saudi Arabia can sponsor family residency visas (Iqama) for their dependents, including spouses and children. To qualify, the employee must meet the minimum salary requirement set by Saudi authorities and provide essential documents, such as a valid Iqama, employment contract, marriage certificate, and birth certificates for children.
The application process includes submitting the necessary paperwork through the Absher platform or via the employer’s government relations services in KSA. Dependents must undergo medical examinations before their residency permit is issued. Expats looking to bring their families to Saudi Arabia must also ensure their employer provides sponsorship, as family visa approvals are linked to the primary employee’s work visa in Saudi Arabia.
Many expatriates use expat visa services in Saudi Arabia to streamline the dependent visa application process, ensuring compliance with Saudi regulations. Additionally, dependents are not permitted to work unless they obtain a separate work visa in Saudi Arabia. Renewal of dependent visas follows a similar process, requiring valid Iqama processing in Saudi Arabia and an updated legal status for the primary sponsor.
