Saudi Residence Visa for Family (Pakistan): A Comprehensive Guide
Navigating the Saudi Arabian visa application process can be complex, particularly when it involves sponsoring family members. For Pakistani nationals seeking to bring their families to reside in Saudi Arabia, a clear understanding of the requirements, procedures, and potential challenges is crucial. This article provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to obtaining a Saudi residence visa (Iqama) for family members of Pakistani expatriates working in the Kingdom.
I. Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring Family Members
Before initiating the application, it’s essential to determine if you, the sponsor (the Pakistani expatriate working in Saudi Arabia), meet the eligibility criteria set by the Saudi government. These criteria are subject to change, so verifying the latest regulations with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) or the Saudi Embassy/Consulate in Pakistan is always recommended.
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Profession and Salary: The sponsor’s profession plays a significant role. Generally, individuals in professional or technical fields are more likely to be eligible. Laborers and those in lower-skilled occupations may face greater difficulties. A minimum salary requirement is also in place, which varies depending on the profession and current regulations. This salary threshold is designed to ensure the sponsor can financially support their family. Evidence of consistent salary deposits into a Saudi bank account is usually required.
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Valid Iqama: The sponsor must possess a valid Iqama (Saudi residence permit). The Iqama must have sufficient validity remaining (typically at least three months, but ideally longer) to allow for the processing of the family visa application.
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Sponsorship Restrictions: Some professions or companies might have restrictions on sponsoring family members. It’s crucial to clarify this with your employer’s Human Resources department.
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Marital Status: Only legally married couples are eligible for family sponsorship. Proof of marriage, such as a marriage certificate attested by the relevant authorities, is mandatory.
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Dependents: Eligible dependents typically include:
- Wife (only one wife is permitted under Saudi law)
- Unmarried daughters
- Sons under the age of 18. Sons above 18 may be eligible under specific circumstances (e.g., full-time students), but the process is more complex and requires additional documentation.
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Criminal Record: Both the sponsor and the family members applying for the visa must have a clean criminal record.
II. Required Documents for the Sponsor (Pakistani Expatriate in Saudi Arabia)
The sponsor is responsible for gathering and submitting the necessary documents from within Saudi Arabia. These documents typically include:
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Iqama Copy: A clear and valid copy of the sponsor’s Iqama.
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Passport Copy: A clear copy of the sponsor’s passport, including the visa page.
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Salary Certificate: An official salary certificate from the employer, clearly stating the monthly salary and any allowances. This certificate must be attested by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
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Employment Contract: A copy of the employment contract, which outlines the terms of employment and the sponsor’s profession.
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Company Registration Documents: Copies of the company’s registration documents (e.g., Commercial Registration – CR), to verify the company’s legitimacy.
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Application Form: A completed family visit visa application form, obtained from the MOFA website or a designated typing center. This form needs to be filled accurately and signed by the sponsor.
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Chamber of Commerce Attestation: Attestation of certain documents (like the salary certificate) by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce is a crucial step. This attestation verifies the authenticity of the document.
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Electronic Wakala (Power of Attorney): In some cases, the sponsor may need to issue an electronic Wakala to a representative in Pakistan to handle certain aspects of the application process. This is usually done through the Absher portal.
III. Required Documents for Family Members (in Pakistan)
The family members applying for the residence visa need to gather specific documents in Pakistan. These documents must be properly attested by the relevant Pakistani authorities and, subsequently, by the Saudi Embassy/Consulate in Pakistan.
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Passport: Original passports of all family members with at least six months of validity remaining. The passport should have sufficient blank pages for visa stamping.
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Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs with a white background, adhering to Saudi visa photograph specifications (typically 4cm x 6cm).
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Marriage Certificate (Nikahnama): An original marriage certificate, translated into Arabic if it’s not already in Arabic or English. The certificate must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Pakistan and the Saudi Embassy/Consulate.
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Birth Certificates (B-Form): Original birth certificates for all children, translated into Arabic if necessary. These certificates must also be attested by MOFA Pakistan and the Saudi Embassy/Consulate.
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Polio Vaccination Certificate: A valid polio vaccination certificate for children under 15 years of age. This is a mandatory requirement.
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Medical Examination Report: A medical examination report from a GAMCA (Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association) approved medical center in Pakistan. This report is required for all family members. The medical examination typically includes tests for infectious diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis. The results are usually valid for three months.
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Police Clearance Certificate: A police clearance certificate from the local police station, confirming that the applicant has no criminal record. This certificate must be attested by MOFA Pakistan and the Saudi Embassy/Consulate.
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Educational Certificates (if applicable): If children are of school-going age, providing school records or educational certificates can be beneficial.
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National Identity Card (CNIC): Copies of the National Identity Cards (CNICs) of all family members.
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Guardianship Certificate (if applicable): If the application involves children where one parent is not applying, a guardianship certificate may be required.
IV. Step-by-Step Application Process
The process of obtaining a Saudi residence visa for family members involves several steps, both in Saudi Arabia and in Pakistan.
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Sponsor Initiates the Application in Saudi Arabia:
- Online Application: The sponsor typically starts the process online through the Absher portal (the Saudi government’s e-services platform). They need to log in to their Absher account and apply for a family visit visa. While technically a “visit” visa, this is the initial step towards obtaining a residence visa.
- MOFA Submission: After the online application, the sponsor needs to submit the required documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Saudi Arabia. This can often be done electronically through the MOFA website.
- Approval from MOFA: Once the application is reviewed and approved by MOFA, a visa approval document (visa slip) is issued. This document is crucial for the next steps.
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Family Members in Pakistan Prepare Documents:
- Document Gathering: Family members in Pakistan need to gather all the required documents as listed above.
- Attestation: All relevant documents (marriage certificate, birth certificates, police clearance certificate, etc.) must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Pakistan.
- Medical Examination: Family members must undergo a medical examination at a GAMCA-approved medical center.
- Translation (if required): Documents not in Arabic or English must be translated by a certified translator.
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Submission to the Saudi Embassy/Consulate in Pakistan:
- Appointment Booking: An appointment must be scheduled with the Saudi Embassy/Consulate in Pakistan to submit the visa application. This is usually done online.
- Document Submission: On the appointment date, the family members (or their authorized representative) submit the complete application package, including all attested documents, the visa slip from MOFA, and the passport.
- Visa Fee Payment: The visa fee must be paid at the designated bank or through the online payment portal, as specified by the Saudi Embassy/Consulate.
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Visa Stamping:
- Passport Submission: After the application is approved, the passports are submitted to the Saudi Embassy/Consulate for visa stamping.
- Visa Issuance: The Saudi residence visa (Iqama visa) is stamped on the passports.
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Arrival in Saudi Arabia and Iqama Processing:
- Entry into Saudi Arabia: Family members enter Saudi Arabia on the newly issued Iqama visa.
- Iqama Registration: Upon arrival, the sponsor must register their family members with the Jawazat (Saudi Immigration Department) to obtain their Iqamas. This involves providing the necessary documents and completing the required procedures.
- Medical Insurance: The sponsor must obtain medical insurance for their family members. This is a mandatory requirement for Iqama issuance.
V. Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
The process of obtaining a Saudi residence visa for family members can sometimes be challenging. Here are some common issues and potential solutions:
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Document Attestation Delays: Attestation of documents by MOFA Pakistan and the Saudi Embassy/Consulate can be time-consuming. It’s advisable to start the attestation process well in advance. Using a reputable document attestation service can expedite the process.
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Medical Examination Issues: If any family member fails the medical examination, the visa application will be rejected. Ensuring that all family members are in good health before applying and choosing a reputable GAM
