After almost a year, I can finally reunite with my family in KSA. I arrived in KSA on February 22, 2020, and a week later, the KSA government locked down the country due to the spread of Covid-19.

Due to Covid-19, almost all systems in KSA have gone online. Issuing Family Visas and IQAMA is now done through a single channel, ABSHER.

During this transition period, we have encountered a lot of missing information regarding how to properly handle the shift from offline to online processes. However, there are generally two key steps you need to follow in order to successfully relocate the family.

Issuing Family Visa

This is some of the steps you need to do in order to issue family Visa.

1. Open Absher
2. Apply for a family visa by filling out all required information. Once you have completed the application, you can monitor its status.
3. Pay the fees through any bank. In my case, I paid using Alinma Bank. Go to MOI -> Make Payment -> Labor Importation -> Family Visa.
4. You must pay 2,000 SAR for each person.
5. Once the visa request is approved, print the form and send it to your family in your home country. The rest of the process will be completed at the KSA Embassy in your home country.

Issuing IQAMA

After your family arrives in KSA, the next step is to issue IQAMA for them.

Have you ever wondered what IQAMA really is? And why it holds such significance for those of us living in Saudi Arabia? Let’s dive into the importance of IQAMA and uncover what it means for our everyday lives!

The IQAMA is a residency card issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) government specifically for employees who possess a valid work permit, along with their family members, subject to certain terms and conditions. When you secure employment in KSA, you are granted both a working visa and an IQAMA, which serves as official documentation of your legal residency in the country. Typically, your employer will manage all the necessary arrangements and paperwork, ensuring a smooth transition as you begin your professional journey in Saudi Arabia. This card not only allows you to reside in the country but also simplifies various processes, such as access to services and the ability to sponsor your family.

In the case of families, the situation takes on a distinct character. The Employee assumes the role of the Kafil, which means they become the individual responsible for their family’s residency status. This responsibility includes the crucial task of issuing the IQAMA, the official residence permit that enables their family to live and work in the country legally. As the Kafil, the Employee must navigate the necessary procedures and ensure that all documentation is properly handled to maintain their family’s lawful presence.

In the context of families, the dynamics shift considerably. The Employee takes on the role of the Kafil, meaning they become the primary guarantor and responsible party for their family’s residency status. This includes not only the obligation to support and care for their family but also the critical duty of issuing the IQAMA, the essential residence permit that grants their family the legal right to live and work within the country.

Issuing the IQAMA is quite straightforward and can be done easily using the ABSHER platform..

These are the steps :

• Ensure your family has active health insurance, which in my case is managed by my company, and is linked to the CCHI. You can verify the insurance status through the CCHI website.

• For Adult, do medical check up in approved clinic/hospital. For children, no need to to medical checkup
• Fill the IQAMA request form. you can get it here , then sign it and get stamped from the company (your employer)
• Create single document, the size should be less then 1MB (will be used later on during request submission in ABSHER), consist of :
  • Husband IQAMA
  • Family Passport
  • Family Visa
  • Form
  • Insurance (this Optional, some people told me they did not include this document)
• Pay the fees (The bank will calculated automatically):
  • IQAMA issuance fee : 500 SAR (one time)
  • Dependent Fees : 400 SAR/ month

• Once everything ready, go to ABSHER :
  • Choose my service
  • Choose General Service
  • Choose Passport
  • Choose Tawasul
  • Then create new request to Jawazat (General Directorate of Passport) and attach the document created previously

• Once you get replied from Jawazat, and the status is completed. Then create appointment to nearest Jawazat office to print the IQAMA

The IQAMA Issuance process itself, when all the required documents ready, only one day.

Riyadh, 25 February 2021 / 13 Rajab 1442

A. Ahmad K