Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Al Falah

About Dependent Visa Law in Al Falah, Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, a dependent visa allows certain family members to live in the Kingdom under the sponsorship of a resident or citizen sponsor. In everyday language this is often called a family residence permit or dependent iqama. Al Falah is a district within Riyadh, so applications by residents of Al Falah follow national Saudi rules and are processed through Riyadh based offices and national online systems.

There are two common pathways people refer to. One is the family residence visa, which leads to a dependent iqama so your spouse and children can reside with you long term. The other is the family visit visa, which is temporary and does not lead to a residence permit. Most expatriate workers in Riyadh who qualify seek the family residence route so their dependents can live, study, and access health care in the Kingdom.

Dependent visas operate under Saudi sponsorship law. The sponsor is responsible for the dependent’s legal status, renewals, and compliance. The General Directorate of Passports, called Jawazat, oversees issuance and renewals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs handles initial visa authorization and embassy stamping, and the Ministry of Interior portals support applications, appointments, and payments.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many people complete dependent applications without formal legal help. However, a lawyer can be valuable in situations that are not straightforward, such as the following.

When your profession or salary does not clearly meet eligibility rules, or when those rules change and you need to confirm your status. When applications are refused or stuck, and you need to diagnose the cause, correct documents, or prepare a new submission. When your marriage or birth certificates need complex attestation, translation, or legalization across multiple countries. When you need to manage custody or guardianship documentation for children, especially after divorce or the death of a sponsor. When dependents are over certain age thresholds, such as an adult son, or a married daughter, and you want to understand any exceptions. When you want to convert status, for example from a visit visa to a residence permit, which is usually not permitted except in narrow cases. When dependents overstayed, worked without authorization, or have fines, and you need to regularize their status. When the sponsor is changing employer or profession and you need to protect the dependent’s ongoing residency during the transfer.

A lawyer familiar with Riyadh based practice can also coordinate with your employer’s government relations officer, prepare Arabic submissions for the Chamber of Commerce, and plan the sequence of MOFA, Jawazat, and civil status steps to avoid gaps in status.

Local Laws Overview

Sponsorship and eligibility. The sponsor must hold a valid iqama or be a Saudi citizen. Expatriate sponsors must usually have an eligible profession and meet salary and accommodation criteria set by Jawazat. Rules can change and are applied at the time of processing. Not all professions can sponsor dependents. In some cases female expatriate employees can sponsor dependents, subject to current rules.

Who qualifies as a dependent. Typically a legal spouse and unmarried children qualify. Male children are usually eligible up to a set age threshold. Daughters are typically eligible while unmarried. Parents, siblings, and in laws do not generally qualify for residence as dependents, though limited visit visas may exist.

Document legalization and translation. Marriage and birth certificates must be legalized in the country of issuance and by the Saudi embassy there, then recognized by Saudi MOFA. Documents not in Arabic must be translated by a certified translator in Saudi Arabia.

Medical and biometrics. Adult dependents commonly require a medical examination at an authorized center before visa stamping, and fingerprinting on arrival in Saudi Arabia. Fingerprinting is required for issuing the iqama.

Health insurance. Valid Saudi compliant health insurance is mandatory for dependent iqamas. The policy must be active for issuance and renewal.

Fees. Government fees apply for visa issuance, iqama issuance, and renewals. A monthly dependent levy is charged per dependent and must be paid for issuance, renewal, and exit re entry processing. Fee amounts and payment timing are set by the government and can change, so check current figures before you apply.

Work restriction. Dependents are not allowed to work. To work, a dependent must transfer sponsorship and obtain a work authorization and their own iqama as an employee.

Travel and exit re entry. Dependents need exit re entry visas to travel outside the Kingdom and return. These are issued electronically after payment of the applicable fee and remain valid only while the iqama remains valid.

Renewals and updates. You must renew a dependent iqama before expiry, keep insurance active, and update civil status records for events like birth, marriage, divorce, or passport changes. Newborns in Saudi Arabia must be reported to the civil registry and added to the sponsor’s file within the set deadline.

Penalties. Overstay, failure to renew, or working without authorization can lead to fines, cancellation, or deportation. Sponsors are responsible for compliance of their dependents.

Where applications are handled. For Al Falah residents, practical handling is through Riyadh based Jawazat and MOFA offices and national online portals such as Absher. Embassy stamping occurs in the dependent’s country through Saudi embassies and authorized visa centers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a family residence visa and a family visit visa

A family residence visa leads to a dependent iqama, so your spouse and children can live in Saudi Arabia long term, enroll in school, and access services. A family visit visa is temporary, does not lead to an iqama, and has strict duration limits.

Who can I sponsor as a dependent

Generally a legal spouse and unmarried children qualify under the dependent iqama route. Parents and siblings usually do not qualify for residence as dependents. Check current eligibility rules before applying.

Are there minimum salary or profession requirements to sponsor dependents

Yes. Jawazat applies profession and income criteria to expatriate sponsors, and some professions are not eligible. Exact thresholds and lists can change. A lawyer or a knowledgeable government relations officer can confirm current criteria for your case.

Can a female expatriate employee sponsor her husband and children

In some cases yes, subject to current eligibility rules, profession, and income. Documentary proof of employment and housing may be required. Confirm current practice in Riyadh before applying.

Do I need to legalize my marriage and birth certificates

Yes. Certificates must be legalized in the issuing country and by the Saudi embassy there, then recognized by Saudi MOFA in the Kingdom. Non Arabic documents must be translated by a certified translator in Saudi Arabia.

How long does the process take

Processing time varies. The sequence includes employer support and Chamber of Commerce attestation, MOFA approval, embassy stamping, arrival, medical insurance, biometrics, and iqama issuance. Many families complete the process in a few weeks to a few months, depending on document readiness and appointment availability.

Can a dependent work in Saudi Arabia

No. Dependents are not permitted to work. If a dependent secures a job, they must transfer sponsorship to the employer and obtain an employee iqama and work authorization.

What is the dependent levy and who pays it

The dependent levy is a monthly government fee per dependent that must be paid to issue or renew iqamas and to process exit re entry visas. The sponsor is responsible for payment. Amounts are set by the government and can change.

What happens if my iqama or my dependent’s iqama expires

You should renew before expiry. Overstay can lead to fines and may affect future applications. If you are late, pay any penalties and renew as soon as possible. Keep health insurance active to avoid renewal blocks.

Can I convert a family visit visa to a family residence permit inside Saudi Arabia

Conversion is generally not allowed. You usually must apply for a family residence visa from outside the Kingdom following the standard process. Limited exceptions may exist and are subject to current policy.

Additional Resources

General Directorate of Passports Jawazat in Riyadh for issuance, renewals, exit re entry, and fingerprinting.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs for family visa authorization numbers, visa invitations, and attestation services.

Ministry of Interior online portals such as Absher for appointments, payments, and dependent services.

Riyadh Chamber of Commerce for attesting employer letters and salary certificates supporting your application.

Council of Health Insurance for information on compliant health insurance needed for dependent iqamas.

Saudi embassies and authorized visa centers in the dependent’s home country for visa stamping and medical instructions.

Civil Affairs Ahwal Madani in Riyadh for registering births and updating civil status records for family members.

Next Steps

Step 1 - Confirm eligibility. Verify that your profession and income meet current Jawazat criteria and that your family members qualify as dependents. If uncertain, consult a lawyer or your employer’s government relations officer.

Step 2 - Prepare documents. Gather passports with sufficient validity, legalized and translated marriage and birth certificates, your iqama copy, employment letter, salary certificate, housing proof if requested, and passport photos. Arrange certified Arabic translations in Saudi Arabia.

Step 3 - Secure employer support. Obtain an employer introduction letter in Arabic and have it attested by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. Your employer may also initiate requests on Qiwa or other systems as needed.

Step 4 - Apply for MOFA authorization. Submit a family visa request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once approved, share the authorization with your dependents for embassy processing.

Step 5 - Complete medical and stamping. Dependents complete required medical exams at authorized centers and submit passports to the Saudi embassy or authorized visa center for visa stamping.

Step 6 - Arrange insurance and arrival. Purchase compliant health insurance. After your family arrives, complete biometrics enrollment and visit Jawazat if an in person visit is required. Issue the dependent iqama.

Step 7 - Maintain status. Pay the dependent levy and all fees, keep insurance active, renew iqamas on time, and issue exit re entry visas before travel. Update records for any changes in passports, marital status, or births.

If you face a refusal, delay, or a complex family situation, speak with a lawyer who handles Riyadh and Al Falah matters. Bring copies of all submissions, receipts, and messages. A brief legal review can prevent repeated rejections, fines, or status gaps for your family.