Saudi Arabia has announced new measures allowing skilled foreign workers to bring eligible family members to the Kingdom while their work visa processing is still underway. The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the changes on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The new policy permits skilled expatriates to process visas for eligible family members, including spouses, sons under 25, and unmarried daughters, concurrently with their own work permit applications. Previously, workers had to complete their work visa process and obtain an Iqama, a residence permit, before they could sponsor family members.
This initiative, coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, aims to improve residents’ quality of life and streamline procedures for highly skilled migrants. It is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, enhance living standards, and attract top talent.
The new rules expand the eligibility for sons to under 25 years, an increase from a 2024 directive that set the age limit at 18. While a minimum monthly salary of SAR 4,000 to SAR 6,000 is generally required for family sponsorship, this can vary based on employment classification and position. The residence permit process for family members will be finalized according to applicable laws and regulations once they arrive in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has previously implemented policies like “expatriate taxes” and reduced work visa validity to decrease reliance on foreign workers, particularly those with lower skills. However, Vision 2030 requires attracting highly skilled international talent for sectors such as technology, tourism, healthcare, and renewable energy, creating a policy tension that these new measures aim to address. Reforms to the Kafala system, which previously tied workers to their employers, were also introduced in March 2021, allowing workers to transfer jobs without employer approval after their contract ends.
According to 2024 statistics from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), expatriates constitute 44.4 percent of Saudi Arabia’s total population, or 15.7 million people. While specific figures for Nepali workers, students, or residents in Saudi Arabia were not available, the Kingdom’s expatriates remitted SAR 12.78 billion (USD 3.41 billion) in February. This new policy is expected to significantly change the relocation experience for thousands of highly skilled professionals moving to Saudi Arabia.
The exact definition of “highly skilled” has not been fully detailed, though it is noted that qualifications, experience, technical capabilities, salary levels, and age will be considered within a broader skill-based work permit system. Further detailed implementation steps, compliance regulations, and evaluation processes are available on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
