Who can convert a visit visa to a family Iqama — and who cannot. Children under 18: ✅ YES. Wife/Spouse: ❌ NO. Here's exactly what to do in each case.
Children currently in Saudi Arabia on a visit visa can convert to a family Iqama at Jawazat, without leaving the country. Fee: SAR 2,000 per child + SAR 200 Iqama printing.
A wife on a visit visa cannot convert to an Iqama inside Saudi Arabia. She must exit the country. The sponsor then applies for a family residence visa — she enters on the correct visa type.
| Family Member | Can Convert Inside KSA? | Correct Process | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👶 Children under 18 | ✅ YES | Jawazat office — convert visit visa to family Iqama without leaving | SAR 2,000 + SAR 200 printing + health insurance |
| 👧 Children over 18 | ❌ NO | Must exit Saudi Arabia; sponsor applies for dependent visa separately (or they apply for their own work visa) | New visa application: SAR 300+ + insurance + travel cost |
| 👩 Wife / Spouse | ❌ NO | Must exit Saudi Arabia. Sponsor applies via Istiqdam for family residence visa. Wife re-enters on correct visa. | SAR 2,000 family visa + insurance + Iqama printing + travel cost |
| 👴👵 Parents / In-Laws | ❌ NO | Parents can only be in Saudi Arabia on a visit visa (non-convertible). No permanent family Iqama category for parents. | Visit visa renewal via Absher (SAR 300 + insurance per renewal) |
Take the child to an approved medical centre for the residency medical test. This includes blood test, chest X-ray (for children above a certain age — doctor determines) and biometric fingerprinting. You will receive a medical report certificate (usually same day or next day).
Log in to Absher → Individuals → Services → Passports → Book Appointment → Select your nearest Jawazat (Directorate of Passports) office → Choose "Family Visa Conversion" or "Residence Permit" service → Book a slot.
Gather ALL documents listed below before your appointment. Missing even one document means you will be turned away and must rebook.
Father (Iqama sponsor) must attend in person with the child. Present all documents. The officer will verify the child's visit visa, father's Iqama, and medical clearance. Fingerprints are taken again at the counter.
SAR 2,000 family visa fee per child + SAR 200 Iqama card printing fee = SAR 2,200 per child. Pay via SADAD bill payment, Al Rajhi, SNB, or other Saudi bank. You will be given a fee reference number at the counter.
The Iqama card is usually ready within 5–10 working days. You can track via Absher. The Iqama is mailed to the address registered on your sponsor profile, or you can collect from the Jawazat office. The Iqama is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.
| Fee Item | Amount (SAR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family Visa / Iqama Issuance | 2,000 | Per child, non-refundable. Same fee as direct Iqama application. |
| Iqama Card Printing | 200 | Per child. Paid at Jawazat or via SADAD. |
| Medical Test | 200–400 | Approved medical centre. Varies. |
| Health Insurance (Class C min.) | 400–800 | Mandatory annual policy. Class B recommended for children. |
| Dependent Levy (from month 2) | 400/month | SAR 400/month per dependent — first 90 days free as new entrant. |
| Total (per child, first year) | ~SAR 8,200–12,000 | Including 9 months levy (after 90-day free period) + all fees |
When I had twins and applied for their Iqama after converting from visit visa status, the SAR 2,000 fee applied to each twin separately — SAR 4,000 total just for the visa fees, plus SAR 400 printing for both. Plan your budget accordingly if you have more than one child converting at the same time.
Since a wife cannot convert her visit visa to an Iqama, you have these options depending on your situation:
If the visit visa has not yet expired, extend it via Absher before the deadline. Extensions are 30–60 days each. You can get 1–2 extensions typically. Good if you're still preparing documents for the residence Iqama.
Wife exits Saudi Arabia. You apply via Istiqdam office for a family residence visa (the proper Iqama path). Once approved, wife enters Saudi Arabia on the correct entry permit and Iqama is issued. This is the standard permanent solution. → See full Istiqdam guide
If you're not yet ready for permanent Iqama (e.g. missing documents), wife can exit and apply for a new visit visa. This is legal but creates an ongoing cost (SAR 300 + insurance per visa). Not ideal long-term but buys time.
If the visit visa expires and wife stays without renewal or exit, she becomes an illegal resident. Fines start at SAR 500 and can reach SAR 5,000+ with deportation and multi-year entry ban. This must be avoided at all costs.
If your child was born inside Saudi Arabia (e.g. your wife was on a visit visa when she gave birth), the process is slightly different:
A child born in Saudi Arabia does not enter on a visit visa — they have a short window (effectively the first 90 days) where they're treated as a new resident under the father's sponsorship. After 90 days, you must have the Iqama in process. Start the Jawazat paperwork as soon as you have the birth certificate — don't wait.
Family Iqama conversion is handled at Jawazat offices. Book your appointment via Absher to avoid long queues — walk-in appointments have multi-hour waits.
Al Batha District, Riyadh — handles high volume family visa work
View on Google Maps →Use our interactive calculator — wife + multiple children, visit vs residence, SAR 2,000 per child, insurance class, dependent levy all calculated together with PDF download
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