Family Visa without Profession Restriction

Really great news for the Expatriates of Saudi Arabia states that there will be no consideration of profession while issuing Family Resident Visa.

Great relief for our brothers, sisters and elders having labor or unskilled profession on their iqamas.

More details are as follows:
Family visa now linked with salaryP.K. Abdul Ghafour | Arab News

JEDDAH: The Foreign Ministry will issue permanent resident visas for wives and children of expatriate workers in the Kingdom, without considering their profession, Al-Yaum Arabic daily has reported.

“The ministry’s office in Riyadh issued such recruitment visas for three days last week and stopped it temporarily. It is expected that the ministry would resume the service next month,” a ministry source told the paper.

The news is a relief for many of the seven million expatriate workers, who are unable to bring their families on resident visas due to their profession written on their iqamas.

The Foreign Ministry and the Recruitment Office only issued permanent resident and visit visas to those in white-collar jobs such as engineers, doctors and executives. The Al-Yaum report said the ministry would only look at the financial status of the applicant. “The family visa is no more linked with profession,” the source said. He said the ministry stopped processing applications in order to implement the new criteria. “This is a great news for thousands of professionals like me who are unable to bring their wives and children to the Kingdom because of the profession in iqama,” said Shabeer Ali, a computer engineer based in Jeddah.

Ali said he has been trying to bring his family to the Kingdom ever since his marriage. “Until now I could not, because they look at the profession on my iqama, which is an electrician. I had presented my Masters degree certificate in computer science attested by the Saudi Embassy, as well as my salary certificate, but they rejected my application,” he said.

He said he had never known about this problem before coming to the Kingdom.

“I know that there are thousands of expatriate workers who are highly qualified and earn good salaries but cannot bring their families because of their profession. I take this opportunity to thank the Saudi government for changing this policy and consider it a great blessing from God.” The Arabic daily said the ministry’s branches in Jeddah and Dammam have not implemented the new system as they have not been informed about the changed criteria.

Over the past three weeks, the ministry’s Riyadh office was issuing visit visas to all expatriate workers for their families without considering their profession.

K.C.M. Abdullah, a freelance journalist based in Riyadh, told Arab News that hundreds of people, including laborers, farmers and construction workers had benefited.

“Now they have stopped issuing visas to drivers and other house servants,” he pointed out. Some people claimed the visa rules were relaxed to mark the return of Crown Prince Sultan to the Kingdom after a yearlong medical trip.

Abdullah said the ministry used to accept around 800 applicants daily, adding over 1,000 people stood in the queue from early in the morning to present their applications made through the ministry’s website.

He said the revised service started a week before the Eid Al-Adha holidays.

After hearing the news of the relaxation in visa rules a large number of Indian workers approached the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah to include names of their spouses in their passports.

Indian missions are now issuing new passports after including spouse names. People who want to include the names of spouses should attach attested marriage certificates. Those who have married recently should register their marriages by producing relevant documents

Click Here for: Original News Article from Arab News

If you are a Saudi Expat and have some question, please see my blog on Common Questions by Saudi Expats. If you are looking for information on Visa Visa Click Here. For details on applying for Permanent Family Visa, go Here.

For topics pertaining to Living and Working in Saudi Arabia, Click Here

Extending Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia (Visa Visa Extension)

The visit visa can be extended to maximum 9 months but still depends on the visa officer.

Following are the steps and procedures which are required to extend Visit Visa.

Following documents will be required to apply for visit visa extension.

1. Your iqama copy.
2. Original passport of visitor.
3. A form filled in arabic. These form are available in Passport Office (jawazaat office). You can get from there and filled there or can ask you employer to provide you with a filled form. This form will be signed by you ( as you are the sponsor of the visitor)
4. A draft for 100 SR . But now a days this is not mendatory you can submit SR 100 along with your application.

To get maximum months of extension you have to request the visa officer. Normally in case of family they give 2 months if requested they may give you 3 months.

To make the stay longer you have to get this extension each time before its expiring.

Note: Don't take risk to let your visitor over stay even one day as government has tightened the rules and its penality is SR 10,000 and exit.

If you are a Saudi Expat and have some question, please see my blog on Common Questions by Saudi Expats. If you are looking for information on Visa Visa Click Here. For details on applying for Permanent Family Visa, go Here.

For topics pertaining to Living and Working in Saudi Arabia, Click Here

Please comment if you have any suggestion/correction.

Regards,

Khurram Shahzad

Saudi Arabia Government Offices Websites & Addresses

Ministry of Agriculture and Water Airport Road, Riyadh 11195 Tel: 401-6666 Fax: 403-1415 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Agrigulture and Water: Implementation of economic plans and programs for agriculture. Water development. Desalination, irrigation, conservation of scarce water, fisheries, animal resources and locust control.

Ministry of Commerce P.O.Box 1774 Airport Rd., Riyadh 11162 Tel: 401-2220/401-4708 Fax: 403-8421 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Commerce Foodstuff quality control, consumer protection, companies and commercial agents’ registration, labeling regulation standards, international exhibits, hotels, bilateral trade agreements, and world trade organization.

Ministry of Communication & Transportation Airport Rd., Riyadh 11178 Tel: 404-2928/404-3000 Fax: 403-1401 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communication & Transportation Design, building and maintenance of road network. Coordination of surface transport including railroads and bus systems.

Ministry of Defense and Aviation Minister: H. R. H. Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Airport Rd., Riyadh 11165 Tel: 478-5900/477-7313 Fax: 401-1336 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense and Aviation: Defense and Aviation.

Army, Navy, Air Force, construction of military bases, civilian airports and meteorology. Economic Offset Secretariat Ministry of Defense and Aviation P.O.Box 27040, Riyadh 11417 Tel: 478-4145 Fax: 478-4123

Ministry of Education Airport Rd., Riyadh 11148 Tel: 404-2888/404-2952 Fax: 401-2365 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education Provision of free general education in primary, intermediate and secondary schools. Royal Technical Institute programs for handicapped, antiquities and museums.

Ministry of Finance and National Economy Airport Rd., Riyadh 11177 Tel: 405-0000/405-0080 Fax: 405-9202 Website: http://www.mof.gov.sa/ Saudi Arabia Ministry of Finance and National Economy Government finance, including budgeting and expenditure of all ministries and agencies. Control of national economic growth. Zakat and income tax. Customs, Central Department of Statistics and National Computer Center.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: H. R. H. Prince Saud Al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Nasseriya St., Riyadh 11124 Tel: 406-7777/441-6836 Fax: 403-0159 Website: http://www.mofa.gov.sa/ Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political, cultural, and financial international relations. Monitors diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the outside world.

Ministry of Health Airport Rd., Riyadh 11176 Tel: 401-2220/401-2392 Fax: 402-9876 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health Health care and hospitals.

Ministry of Higher Education King Faisal Hospital St., Riyadh 11153 Tel: 464-4444 Fax: 441-9004 Website: http://www.mohe.gov.sa/ Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education Universities and higher learning institutes.

Ministry of Industry and Electricity P.O.Box 5729 Omar bin al-Khatab Rd. North of Railway Station, Riyadh 11127 Tel: 477-2722/477-6666 Fax: 477-5451 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Industry and Electricity Development of the Kingdom’s industrial infrastructure and power projects. Foreign capital investment, industrial licensing, protection and encouragement of national industry, industrial statistics, industrial cities and SABIC.

Ministry of Information Nassiriya St., Riyadh 11161 Tel: 401-4440/401-3440 Fax: 402-3570 Website: http://www.saudinf.com/ Saudi Arabia Ministry of Information Television and radio broadcasts, publication of newspapers, magazines and relations with foreign press.

Ministry of Interior Minister: H.R.H. Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud P.O.Box 2993, Riyadh 11134 Tel: 401-1944 Fax: 403-1185 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior Public security, coastal guards, civil defense, fire stations, border police, special security and investigation forces, criminal investigation and traffic control.

Ministry of Islamic, Endowments Call(Dawa) and Guidance Affairs King Abdul Aziz St., Riyadh 11232 Tel: 473-0401 Fax: 477-2938 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Islamic, Endowments Call(Dawa) and Guidance Affairs Administration of land controlled by religious trust.

Ministry of Justice University St., Riyadh 11137 Tel: 405-7777/405-5399 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Justice Administration of Sharia’s Law and provision of legal services for all citizens of the Kingdom.

Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Omar bin Al-Khattab St., Riyadh 11157 Tel: 477-1480/478-7166 Fax: 477-7336 Website: http://www.mol.gov.sa/ Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Labor relations, manpower planning and general monitoring of employment situation. Labor permits and work visas, labor disputes, inspection, health and safety. Provisions of vocational and on-job training for handicapped. Social development and reform. Presidency for Youth and Welfare, Saudi Red Crescent Society and Social Security.

Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs Nassiriya St., Riyadh 11136 Tel: 441-5434 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs Administration of municipalities throughout the Kingdom. Planning of cities and towns. Development of roads and basic infrastructure. Managing and maintaining services to keep cities and towns clean and healthy.

Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources P.O.Box 757, Airport Rd., Riyadh 11189 Tel: 478-1661/478-1133 Fax: 479-3596 Website: http://www.mopm.gov.sa/ Saudi Arabia Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Administration and development of the Kingdom’s oil, gas, oil refineries and mineral resources in conjunction with the General Petroleum and Mineral Organization (Petromin).

Ministry of Pilgrimage Omar bin Al-Khatib St., Riyadh 11183 Tel: 402-2200/402-2212 Fax: 402-2555 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Pilgrimage Provision of facilities for the annual visit of pilgrims to Makkah. Madinah and other Holy places in the Kingdom. Administration of land controlled by religious trust.

Ministry of Planning P.O.Box 1358 University St., Riyadh 11183 Tel: 402-3562/401-3333 Website: http://www.planning.gov.sa/ Saudi Arabia Ministry of Planning National Planning.

Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone Intercontinental Rd., Riyadh 11112 Tel: 463-7225 Fax: 405-2310 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone Development and maintenance of telecommunications and postal services.

Ministry of Public Works and Housing Washem St., Riyadh 11151 Tel: 402-2268/402-2036 Public Works Fax: 402-2723 Housing Fax: 406-7376 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Public Works and Housing Supervision, construction and maintenance of Public Sector’s projects. Public housing, evaluation of tenders, allocation of contracts and classification of contractors.

If you are a Saudi Expat and have some question, please see my blog on Common Questions by Saudi Expats. If you are looking for information on Visa Visa Click Here. For details on applying for Permanent Family Visa, go Here.

For topics pertaining to Living and Working in Saudi Arabia, Click Here

Family Visit Visa Process

Following are the steps and procedures which are required to get Family Visit Visa.

I have divided this process into two phases.First Applying for the visa (being in Saudi Arabia) and Second is Applying for Visa Stamping from your Home Country.

Phase 1: Applying Visa
Pre-Requisites:

1. Your iqama copy.
2. Your passport copy (info page,visa page,entry page)
3. Marriage certificate and Degree( original and arabic translation. Attested from Foreign Office of Home Country,also if you could get this attested from Saudi Embassy of Home Country that would be good)

Procedure:

1. Letter from your employer describing your profession and salary.
2. Visa Application form filled in arabic.Normally company government relation officer does this sort of stuff.(you can check with your company for this otherwise you can download this form and get this filled from any arabic literate person).
3. Visa applicatin form should be stamped/signed by your sponsor(kafeel,company) and also you need to sign it as well.
4. Get these documents ( pre-requisites + Letter + Visa Application Form) and make one file.
5. Visit istihdam office in your city and apply for the visa.
6. They will issue you a white paper which is a step 1 of the final 2 step process.
7. Now ask your company/sponser to apply for visa in Foreig Ministry on basis of the white paper you have got.They will fill an online form and give you another print out with the application number printed on it.
8. Final step is to collect this printout and attach the white paper you got from Istihdam office and submit it in Ministry of Foreign Affairs.(note: keep one copy of the printout with you as this contains application number which you need to track oninline your visa status after submitting with Foreign Ministry)
9. It will take 3/5 days before the visa status will be visible online on Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/eDefault.asp) keep checking this link (https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/SrhComFamilyVisa.asp) to see status of your visa.Once you see the page with all the information. Now you can start processing from your home country.

Phase 2: Processs to apply for Visa stamping from Home Country

Documents to apply for visa stamping:

1. Visa printout from Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/SrhComFamilyVisa.asp.
2. Original passport ( of the visitor)
3. Marriage certificate (original)
4. Return Ticket.
5. 3 Passport size photograph with white background.

Look for any agent who (in pakistan you can apply through http://www.skylinkservices.org) which will apply for visa stamping from Saudi Embassy. It will take 3/5 days to complete this process.

If you are a Saudi Expat and have some question, please see my blog on Common Questions by Saudi Expats. If you are looking for information on Visa Visa Click Here. For details on applying for Permanent Family Visa, go Here.

For topics pertaining to Living and Working in Saudi Arabia, Click Here

--