Saudi Arabia has unveiled changes to its family visa rules, allowing eligible skilled expatriate workers to obtain entry visas for their family members alongside the processing of their work visas.

The new development means that qualifying workers will no longer have to complete their individual work visa applications before beginning the entry visa process for eligible dependants.

In a statement on Wednesday, Saudi Arabian ministry of interior said the changes were introduced in collaboration with the ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry of human resources and social development.

“The Ministry of Interior announced today that in line with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, skilled expatriate heads of households are now permitted to bring their family members to the Kingdom,” the statement read.

The new visa application rules allow eligible family members to include spouses, sons below 25 years and unmarried daughters.

It added, “Eligible dependents include spouses, sons under 25, and unmarried daughters. They may obtain entry visas concurrently with completion of the head of household’s work visa.”

According to the statement, the measure forms part of broader efforts to improve the quality of life for expatriates living and working in the Kingdom.

Under the previous process, skilled expatriate workers generally had to complete their own work visa procedures before obtaining entry visas for qualifying family members.

However, the new change allows the two processes to take place simultaneously, potentially reducing the waiting period for workers relocating to Saudi Arabia with their families.

The interior ministry explained that residency procedures for spouses and children would still need to be finalised after they arrive in Saudi Arabia, adding that they would remain subject to the Kingdom’s applicable regulations and guidelines.

“Residency procedures will be finalized after arrival in the Kingdom, in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines,” the ministry explained.

It also clarified that the change didn’t extend the measure to all relatives of foreign workers, noting that expatriates would still need to confirm whether individual family members met the eligibility requirements before applying.

The family visa change comes as Saudi Arabia continues to revise its immigration and labour framework for foreign workers, particularly skilled professionals.