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Moving to Saudi Arabia for work is a big step, but for many UK expats, the most important question quickly becomes: How do I bring my family with me?
The good news is that Saudi Arabia offers a Family Residence Visa (also called a dependent Iqama), which allows your spouse and children to join you and live in the Kingdom long term. The process is straightforward once you know the requirements, but it does involve multiple steps, official approvals, and document attestations, which can feel daunting.
What Is a Saudi Family Residence Visa?
Simply put, this visa allows expat employees in Saudi Arabia to sponsor their immediate family members. It gives your loved ones the right to live with you in the Kingdom for as long as your own work visa and Iqama are valid.
This visa is designed for:
Your legal spouse.
Your children under 18.
In certain cases, dependent parents (though this requires extra approvals).
What UK Applicants Need to Prepare
The main part of the process is gathering and legalising the correct documents. From the UK, you will need to prepare:
Valid passports for all family members.
A marriage certificate (legalised in the UK and attested at the Saudi Embassy).
Birth certificates for children, also legalised and attested.
Recent medical reports (depending on age).
A copy of your Iqama and employment contract.
Because each document must go through legalisation in the UK (via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, notary/solicitor, and finally the Saudi Embassy), this is often where applicants run into delays.
How the Process Works
We handle the full process for you from start to finish.
Our team secures the sponsorship approval, manages all document legalisation and attestation in the UK, and submits the visa application to the Saudi Embassy in London. Once approved, we arrange for the entry visas to be stamped in your family’s passports and guide you through the final steps in Saudi Arabia, including medical checks (if needed) and the issuance of your family’s Iqamas.
With our support, your family’s relocation is completed smoothly and without stress.
Where Families Often Struggle
We often hear from clients who feel stuck because:
A document was stamped incorrectly or not accepted.
Forms were completed inaccurately, leading to rejection.
Timelines stretched out due to confusion between UK and Saudi requirements.
Online portals in Arabic felt difficult to navigate.
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed — but with the right guidance, these challenges are avoidable.
How We Make It Easier
This is where a professional service provider can make all the difference. We handle:
Document legalisation and attestation in the UK.
Visa filing and embassy submissions in London.
Follow-up and coordination with Saudi authorities.
Our role is to take the pressure off you, so your family’s move is handled quickly, legally, and with minimal stress.
