New regulations have been introduced for Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visas. The detailed application and processing procedures are outlined below.
1. Visa Application Process
Iqama Validity
The sponsor’s Iqama must have a minimum validity of 3 months.
MOFA Application
The visa application must be submitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Chamber Approval
Based on the application number, the visa request must be approved (chambered) by the sponsor’s employer or company.
Processing Time
After chamber approval, visa issuance generally takes between 7 to 15 days.
Visa Processing Deadline
Once the visa is issued, the visa processing must be completed within 1 month.
2. Required Documents
A. For the Sponsor Living in Saudi Arabia
- Color photocopy of passport
- Color photocopy of Iqama
- Color photocopy of National ID Card (NID) or Birth Certificate
B. For the Traveler Applying from Bangladesh
- Color photocopy of passport
- Color photocopy of National ID Card (NID)
- Color photocopy of Birth Certificate (must be available online)
- Original Marriage Certificate (Nikahnama), which must be verified online
- Four passport-size photographs (lab print, white background)
C. If Other Family Members Are Traveling (Parents, Parents-in-Law, Siblings)
The following additional documents are required:
- Relationship Affidavit on a BDT 300 stamp paper
- Attestation by the District Magistrate
- Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Note: These three documents are not required for husband and wife applications.
3. Procedure for Online Verification of Marriage Certificate (Nikahnama)
Currently, an online-verified marriage certificate is mandatory for visa processing. Applications may be rejected if the marriage certificate is not available online.
Requirements
- The marriage certificate must be genuine and legally valid.
- Apply for online registration through the District Registrar’s Office.
- During verification, the marriage registrar (Kazi) who conducted the marriage will receive a verification call.
- Once the Kazi confirms the information, the marriage certificate is usually uploaded to the online system within 2–3 days.
Recommendation: Inform the Kazi in advance so that he can answer the verification call promptly.
4. Important Update: e-Apostille
All visa-related documents must be processed through e-Apostille.
- Tasheer Center will not accept files without e-Apostille.
- To avoid visa rejection, only 100% original and genuine e-Apostille documents should be submitted.
- Duplicate, cloned, or forged copies are not acceptable.
5. Visa Processing at Tasheer Center
Step 1: Collect all original documents.
Step 2: Visit the designated Tasheer Center in person and submit the required documents.
Step 3: Pay the visa processing fee according to the applicant’s age category (approximately BDT 16,500 to BDT 30,000).
Step 4: Complete biometric fingerprint enrollment at the center.
Step 5: After visa issuance, arrange and purchase your airline ticket independently.
Important Note
The standard visa processing time is approximately 15 working days, although this may vary.
Visa approval is entirely at the discretion of the Saudi Government.
Currently, due to the suspension of “Out Chamber” visa activities, only visas processed through sponsor/company chamber approval are being handled. Applicants are requested to remain patient during the processing period.
Disclaimer: Saudi visa regulations can change at any time. Applicants should always verify the latest requirements with the Saudi Embassy, MOFA, Tasheer Center, or other official Saudi authorities before submitting their application.
