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Bringing your loved ones to live with you in Saudi is a big decision and the process can feel complex. This guide breaks the permanent family visa into clear, actionable steps — eligibility, costs, documents, how to apply inside Saudi, and what to do for visa stamping abroad. Read this once and use it as a checklist while you prepare the application.
Why choose a permanent family residence?
- Keep family together: As long as you remain employed in Saudi, your sponsored family can live with you and renew Iqamas.
- Work flexibility for sponsors: Residents with a permanent-type permit may be allowed to work in the private sector depending on the resident category and approvals.
- ℹ️ According to MOFA/Jawazat guidance, some resident holders can work under specified conditions.
Two-part process overview
The permanent-family route has two distinct stages:
- Apply inside Saudi to obtain the yellow slip (resident approval).
- Complete visa stamping at the mission (VFS) in the family’s home country — usually after medical clearance (Gamca).
Costs and recurring fees — what to expect
- Yellow slip processing fee (one-time): SR 2,000 per application — this fee covers the entire application, not charged per person in the same file.
- Monthly levy/charge once the Iqama is issued: SR 400 monthly per family (this is an example of a levy-type charge; always check your Jawazat billing). That equates to roughly SR 4,800 per person annually.
- Other costs: medical test fees (Gamca), VFS stamping fees, attestation and translation charges in the home country.
Who you can sponsor (basic eligibility)
- Eligible dependents: spouse and children. Children must be under 18 to qualify as dependents for this scheme.
- Parents are not eligible under this specific permanent family route.
- If you have multiple wives, only one wife may be sponsored under this application at a time.
Sponsor eligibility (who can apply)
- Minimum professional category: Iqama of Technician level or above (or equivalent professional category).
- Salary and employment: a stable, sufficiently high salary is required (verified through GOSI Platform) — higher salaries improve approval chances. Employers must support the application.
- Qualifications: academic certificates (diploma, degree) are required and must be properly attested and translated.
- Iqama validity: Ideally several months remaining (90 days is suggested), though shorter validity has sometimes been accepted. Passport validity of sponsored family members must exceed six months.
Documents checklist (prepare these early)
Gather these documents, get them attested and translated into Arabic as required:
- Yellow-slip application supporting docs: sponsor’s Iqama copy (front & back), passport copy, sponsor’s photo.
- Marriage certificate (attested + Arabic translation).
- Children’s birth certificates (attested + translation) for each child to be sponsored.
- Polio vaccination certificate for children under 12 (attested + translation). For older children, other medical or vaccination requirements may apply.
- Education/qualification certificates (attested + translation).
- Salary certificate or GOSI statement (downloadable, stamped by employer).
- Offer letter from employer and a stamped NOC (No Objection Certificate) stating the employer has no objection to family sponsorship. Make sure the profession on the Iqama matches the job title on the offer letter.
- Professional registration letters where applicable: Saudi Council of Engineers printout for engineers, MUMARIS Plus/Shahada for medical professionals, SOCPA letter for accountants, and any Istiqdam form if required.
Applying inside Saudi (Istiqdam / Yellow Slip)
There are two methods depending on your profile:
- Online option: Certain professions (engineers, doctors, accountants) may have an online Istiqdam pathway. If available, use the online system — it’s faster and more convenient.
- Manual submission: If no online route is available, fill the Arabic Istiqdam form (seek help with Arabic if needed), book an appointment at the Istiqdam office in your city, submit the file, pay the fee, and complete the formalities. The office checks documents and issues the yellow slip if approved.
Medical clearance (Gamca) and VFS stamping — sequence matters
- Book a Gamca appointment in the family’s country of origin for medical examinations. Gamca issues a health slip after clearance.
- Do not skip Gamca: VFS will request the Gamca slip and Gamca will require the MOFA number once VFS issues it. So you generally do Gamca first, then submit at VFS with the Gamca slip and await MOFA/Visa issuance.
- At VFS, submit the yellow slip (original preferred), passports, photos, attested marriage and birth certificates, Gamca slip, and any other VFS checklist items. Keep a spare copy of any documents processed in Saudi in a separate file in case VFS asks for them.
Practical tips and common pitfalls
- Get originals couriered: Try to receive the original yellow slip couriered from Saudi — some VFS centers insist on originals rather than copies.
- Match job titles: Ensure the profession on your Iqama matches the job title on your offer letter — mismatches can delay or block approval.
- Attestations and translations: All critical civil documents (marriage, birth, polio, degrees) must be attested and translated to Arabic. Arrange this early in your home country to avoid delays.
- Passport scans: For each family member, provide high-quality scans of passport pages that contain address/identity details (first and last information pages).
- Keep digital Iqama handy: Send a digital Iqama (front/back) to those handling the process abroad — it’s often requested at VFS.
- Plan appointment timing: Coordinate VFS and Gamca appointments so neither step stalls the other; Gamca must be done before final VFS submission in many cases.
What to expect on timeline
Processing times vary. Once the yellow slip is approved, VFS stamping typically completes within days to a week after submission and Gamca clearance. However, allow extra time for attestation, translation and appointment availability.
What is the yellow slip and why do I need it?
The yellow slip is the internal approval (resident visa authorization) issued in Saudi that allows you to sponsor family members for residence. It is required before the foreign mission stamps the residence visa into the family’s passport.
Who can I sponsor on this permanent family route?
You can sponsor your spouse and children (children under 18). Parents are not eligible under this specific route. If you have more than one wife, only one can be sponsored through this application at a time.
How much does the process cost?
One-time yellow slip fee is SR 2,000 per application (covers the full family in that application). After Iqama issuance, a monthly levy is applied per sponsored person; factor this into annual household costs. Additional costs include Gamca medical fees, VFS fees, attestations and translations.
Do children need vaccinations or medical certificates?
Children under 12 typically require a polio vaccination certificate (attested + Arabic translation). All sponsored family members will need a Gamca medical clearance in their home country prior to stamping.
What if my Iqama profession and offer letter differ?
Mismatch can cause delays or rejection. Update your offer letter or Iqama profession so they match, and obtain a stamped NOC from your employer clarifying the role.
Final checklist before you apply
- Confirm Iqama category (Technician or above) and sufficient remaining validity.
- Collect and attest marriage, birth and education certificates; get Arabic translations.
- Obtain salary proof (GOSI/salary certificate) and a stamped NOC + offer letter from employer with matching profession.
- Plan Gamca and VFS appointments in the family’s country.
- Keep both original yellow slip and high-quality scans ready for VFS submission.
In my view, meticulous preparation — especially for attestation, translations and matching job titles — removes most delays. Follow the checklist, coordinate Gamca and VFS, and keep copies of every document. If you prepare in advance, the permanent family residence process is straightforward and highly rewarding: it brings your family together while you work abroad.
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