Saudi Arabia has changed its family visa rules to allow skilled expatriate workers to bring eligible family members to the Kingdom as part of their work visa process.

The Ministry of Interior announced that skilled expatriate heads of households can now obtain entry visas for eligible dependants concurrently with the completion of their own work visa.

The change applies to spouses, sons under the age of 25 and unmarried daughters.

The ministry said the measure was introduced in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and forms part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve quality of life for residents.

According to the Ministry of Interior, eligible dependants are:

Their entry visas can be obtained at the same time as the skilled expatriate head of household completes their work visa.

Residency procedures for eligible family members will then be finalised after they arrive in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines.

The change means eligible skilled expatriate workers no longer need to wait until after completing their own work visa process before obtaining entry visas for qualifying family members.

The Ministry of Interior said the measure was introduced “in line with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents”.

Further residency procedures will be completed once the family members have entered the Kingdom. (Arabian Business)