Saudi Arabia grants visas on arrival to infants of residents

Babies of expat residents in Saudi Arabia can enter the country without having to obtain a visa in the home country of their parents, Gulf Business has reported, quoting the General Directorate of Passports.

A visa will be issued to the baby upon arrival in the kingdom, provided that the child has an independent passport and parents are residents in the kingdom, with the wife a dependent of the husband.

“A visa for the child will be issued at the point of entry on arrival, provided the newborn has an independent passport and that the parents are residents in the kingdom — where the wife is dependent on her husband,” the directorate said.

Last July, Saudi Arabia introduced a monthly fee for dependents of foreign workers, who must pay SAR100 a month for each dependent at the renewal or issuance of a residency visa. This will increase to SAR 200 next year and SAR 400 by 2020.