Saudi Arabia has introduced a new measure allowing skilled expatriate heads of households to process entry visas for eligible family members at the same time as their own work visas, the Ministry of Interior said.

The move is part of the kingdom’s efforts to improve the quality of life for foreign residents and was announced in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Under the new arrangement, eligible skilled expatriate workers can bring their immediate family members to Saudi Arabia while completing the procedures for their employment visas.

The eligible dependants include spouses, sons under the age of 25 and unmarried daughters, according to the ministry.

The measure could benefit skilled Nepali workers seeking employment in Saudi Arabia, allowing those who meet the eligibility requirements to arrange entry visas for their immediate family members alongside their own employment visas. More than 400,000 Nepalis currently work in Saudi Arabia, although more than two-thirds are classified as unskilled, according to the Nepali Embassy in Riyadh.

The new arrangement is therefore likely to have a more limited immediate impact on Nepal’s migrant workforce, as the Saudi government has not yet specified which occupations or categories of workers will qualify as highly skilled.

Family members may obtain their entry visas concurrently with the completion of the head of household’s work visa, potentially allowing families to make arrangements to travel to the kingdom together rather than waiting for separate family visa procedures after the worker has arrived.

The ministry said residency procedures for the family members will be completed after they arrive in Saudi Arabia, in line with applicable regulations and guidelines.

The change comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to make the kingdom more attractive to skilled foreign workers and improve conditions for expatriate residents. Foreign workers form a significant part of the country’s workforce, particularly in sectors that rely on specialised and professional skills.

The ministry did not provide further details on the categories of workers covered by the new arrangement or specify whether additional eligibility requirements would apply.

The measure is focused on skilled expatriate heads of households and does not change the stated eligibility of dependants: spouses, sons below 25 and unmarried daughters.

Saudi Arabia has in recent years sought to attract and retain skilled international workers as it pursues economic diversification and major development projects under its Vision 2030 programme. Easier arrangements for expatriate families can help workers relocate with fewer administrative hurdles and support the kingdom’s broader efforts to improve the living and working environment for foreign residents.

Under the newly announced procedure, however, family members will still be subject to residency requirements and other applicable Saudi regulations after entering the kingdom.