The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the implementation of a new increase in fees for renewing family visit visas. The fees have been doubled, representing a 60% increase. The Kingdom explained that this decision contributes to achieving the goals of Vision 2023.

The Kingdom further explained that this decision comes within the framework of its desire to reduce reliance on oil imports and find alternative resources that bolster the growth of the Saudi economy. Visa-related fees, in general, are considered among the most prominent resources that stimulate the Saudi economy.

Doubling Family Visit Visa Renewal Fees: A Direct Economic Impact

The increase in family visit visa fees coincided with a series of updates affecting various visa types within the Kingdom. This measure aligns with the government's strategy to diversify income sources and reduce reliance on oil revenues, as visa fees represent a significant resource given the presence of over 13 million residents. Economic estimates indicate that the annual fees paid by residents, under various visa categories, constitute a substantial sum that effectively contributes to supporting the national economy and enhancing financial sustainability.

How will the increase in family visit visa fees affect residents?

This decision will naturally have direct repercussions for a wide range of residents, particularly those working in low- and middle-income brackets. Some may be forced to send their families back to their home countries due to their inability to afford the new costs, leading to a loss of the family stability that previously enabled residents to be more productive and committed to their work.

The impact is not limited to the personal sphere; it may extend to the work environment itself. Numerous studies indicate that having family members in the host country enhances psychological and professional stability and increases an employee's capacity for creativity and productivity. With the new fee increase, the labor market may experience a decline in performance for some residents affected by these changes.

Conditions for Renewing a Family Visit Visa After the New Amendments

The General Directorate of Passports has specified a number of essential requirements that must be met before submitting a visit extension application, most notably:

  1. The visitor must be present in the Kingdom at the time of application.
  2. The passport must be valid for the entire duration of the requested extension.
  3. The renewal application must be submitted at least seven days before the visa expires.
  4. Sufficient validity period must remain on the current visa.
  5. These conditions are mandatory, and any application that does not strictly adhere to them will not be accepted.

How to Renew a Family Visit Visa via the Absher Platform

Thanks to the Kingdom's digital transformation, extending a family visit visa is now done entirely electronically through the Absher platform, eliminating the need to visit passport offices except in special cases. The extension process includes the following steps:

  1. Ensuring that all prerequisites are met.
  2. Log in to the Absher platform.
  3. Access "Family Members Services."
  4. Select the “Visit Visa Extension” service.
  5. Enter the visitor and visa details accurately.
  6. Pay the fees via the SADAD payment system using the border number.
  7. Review the application and confirm submission.

This electronic service allows for the extension process to be completed within minutes, as part of a government system aimed at improving service quality and expediting procedures.

Advantages of Extending Family Visit Visas Electronically

The electronic system for renewing family visit visas is part of the Kingdom's digital transformation plan, which focuses on simplifying government services, reducing transaction processing times, and enabling citizens and residents to access online services effortlessly. This contributes to increased efficiency and reduced congestion at government offices.