Family residency (often called a dependent Iqama) allows spouses and children to live in Saudi Arabia alongside a sponsored employee. The process can only begin after the primary visa holder has their own Iqama issued and has met a minimum salary threshold set by their employer’s sector and grade — this is worth confirming with HR before you start gathering documents.
The core paperwork includes an attested marriage certificate, attested birth certificates for each child, passport copies for all dependents, and a letter from the employer confirming the sponsor’s willingness to add dependents. As with work visas, attestation is usually the slowest part — UK-issued certificates need to pass through notarisation, FCDO legalisation, and Saudi embassy attestation before they’re accepted.
Once documents are ready, the sponsor submits a dependent visa request through the same government portal used for the original work visa. Processing tends to run three to six weeks, and dependents will need medical insurance arranged before or immediately upon arrival, as this is a condition of Iqama issuance.
A detail many families miss: children over a certain age (currently 18, though this is periodically reviewed) may not qualify as dependents in the same way and could need a separate visa category if they intend to study or stay long-term. It’s worth checking current age thresholds directly before assuming older children are automatically covered.
Planning the paperwork trail early — ideally starting attestations before your own Iqama is even finalised — is the single biggest time-saver for families relocating together.