Expat families in Saudi Arabia often have many questions about bringing their children under sponsorship. A very common query is:
💬 “My friend Ahmed and his wife Aisha, have valid Iqamas. Their 23-year-old unmarried daughter is on a single-entry visit visa. Can this visit visa be converted directly into an Iqama?”
In this guide, we will cover all possible scenarios, examples, and solutions to help families make the right decisions. ✅
🟢 Scenario 1: Children Under 18 Years Old
Who is eligible:
- Child under 18 years old 👶
- Both parents must hold valid Iqamas 🕌
- Child is on a family visit visa 🛂
Step-by-Step Process:
- 📅 Book an appointment on Absher → Resident Services → Dependent Services
- 📄 Prepare the following documents:
- Child’s birth certificate (attested by Saudi Embassy and MOFA)
- Child’s passport and photos
- Copies of both parents’ Iqamas and passports
- Marriage certificate of parents (attested)
- Valid health insurance for the child 🏥
- 💵 Submit documents at Jawazat and pay fees:
- Processing fee: ~SAR 2,000 per child
- Dependent fee (رسوم التابعين): Based on parent’s Iqama validity
- 🔍 Follow up after ~1 week
- ✅ Receive Iqama
Example: Ahmed and Aisha have valid Iqamas. Their 12-year-old son, Bilal, is on a family visit visa. They submit all documents, and Bilal receives his Iqama successfully. ✅
Community Comment: “It is possible for children under 18 if both parents have regular Iqamas.”
Key Tip: This process only applies to children under 18 years old.
🔴 Scenario 2: Adult Children (18+ Years)
Can adult children convert a visit visa into Iqama? ❌ No
Reason: Adults are considered independent under Saudi immigration law, so direct conversion is not allowed.
Solution:
Apply for a Family Residency Visa (تأشيرة استقدام عائلية) via MOFA:
- Parent applies online for Family Residency Visa 🌐
- Adult child obtains visa and enters Saudi Arabia ✈️
- Complete the Iqama issuance process at Jawazat 🏢
Example: Ahmed and Aisha’s 23-year-old daughter, Sana, is on a single-entry visit visa. She cannot convert it directly. They apply for a Family Residency Visa, and after entering Saudi Arabia, Sana receives her Iqama. ✅
Community Comment: “Conversion applies only for children under 18 years old.”
🟡 Scenario 3: Other Relatives
- Spouses, siblings, parents, and in-laws cannot convert visit visas into Iqamas 🚫
- They must follow the normal family sponsorship process:
- Apply for Family Residency Visa via MOFA
- Enter Saudi Arabia with the visa
- Complete Iqama issuance
🔵 Scenario 4: Tourist or Umrah Visit Visa
- Cannot be converted into Iqama ❌
- Must exit Saudi Arabia and apply for a family or work visa for long-term stay ✈️
❓ Common Questions from Expat Families
- “Can I convert my adult son’s visit visa without leaving Saudi Arabia?” ❌ No
- “My 16-year-old daughter is on a family visit visa. Can we get her Iqama while I am working?” ✅ Yes
- “Can siblings or parents convert their visit visa into Iqama?” ❌ No
- “What about tourists or Umrah visa holders?” ❌ Must exit and apply correct visa
📌 Quick Reference Table
| Person | Visa Type | Age | Can Convert? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child | Family Visit | <18 👶 | ✅ Yes | Parents must hold Iqamas 🕌 |
| Child | Family Visit | 18+ 🎓 | ❌ No | Must apply Family Residency Visa |
| Other relatives | Any | Any | ❌ No | Normal sponsorship process |
| Tourist / Umrah | Any | Any | ❌ No | Must exit & apply correct visa ✈️ |
🌟 Important Tips for Families
- Check Absher and MOFA for the latest rules 🖥️
- Family visit visas cannot exceed 180 days without extension ⏳
- Fees and required documents may change; verify at Jawazat 🏢
- Keep all attested documents ready to avoid delays 📂
💡 Conclusion
✅ Children under 18 can convert a family visit visa to Iqama.
❌ Adult children (18+) and other relatives cannot; they must apply for a Family Residency Visa.
Example Takeaway: Ahmed and Aisha’s 23-year-old daughter cannot directly convert her visit visa to an Iqama. They must apply for a Family Residency Visa via MOFA for legal stay.
💬 Ask Us Your Question!
Do you have doubts about your visit visa, Iqama, or family sponsorship? Comment below with your situation and we will provide personalized step-by-step guidance! 👇
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