RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced a new facility allowing skilled foreign workers to apply for family entry visas while processing their own work permits. The new facility will help eligible workers arrange travel for their families at the same time.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The new rules will allow eligible foreign workers to apply to bring their family members to Saudi Arabia.
Under the new facility, eligible family members include wives or husbands, sons under 25 years of age, and unmarried daughters. Their entry visas can be processed alongside the worker’s work visa. Applicants must meet the required conditions and follow Saudi Arabia’s immigration rules to use this facility.
After arriving in Saudi Arabia, family members will have to complete the required residency process under the country’s laws. The announcement explains the new facility but does not provide details about processing times or any additional eligibility requirements.
Saudi Arabia is a major destination for Pakistani workers, with an estimated 2.64 million Pakistanis working in the Kingdom as of 2023. According to a January 2025 report, around 97 per cent of Pakistani workers there were employed in different sectors, while demand for skilled workers was also growing.
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