When Will Saudi Family Visit Visa Open in 2025? (Updated News)
So, you’re wondering when the Saudi Family Visit Visa will officially open in 2025, right? You’re not alone. Tons of folks from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries have been waiting on this, hoping to bring their loved ones over or plan that much-needed Umrah trip. I’ve got the latest scoop for you—straight, no fluff.
What’s the Current Situation with Saudi Family Visit Visa in 2025?
Here’s the deal: Back in early June, Saudi Arabia announced that they’re reopening multiple types of visas, including family visit visas, general visit visas, and business visas for 14 countries. This includes Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, which is a big deal because these countries were under a kind of lock-down for their visa processing.
Sounds great, right? Well, not quite yet.
Even though the announcement was made around June 10th and 11th, the visa stamping—the final step you need to actually get your visa—hasn’t started yet. And that’s the real hold-up.
Why Is Visa Stamping Still on Hold?
Here’s what’s going on behind the scenes:
- Saudi government has been making changes to visa processing systems and labor laws over the past four months.
- Restrictions have been applied and then lifted multiple times on different countries.
- The multi-entry visa status, which allowed 360/5 days, was removed and sometimes reinstated, but now it’s missing altogether.
- Currently, the usual options for 365-day or 90-day visas are not showing up anywhere on the official platforms.
- Even those who submitted applications in early June saw the 365-day visa option vanish suddenly.
Basically, the system is in flux, and no one can get a clear answer on when stamping will actually start again.
What Are Embassies Saying? What’s the Ground Reality?
I’ve been in touch with people working at embassies in Multan, Islamabad, and Lahore, and here’s the raw truth:
- There’s no official word or order from Saudi authorities to start stamping visas again.
- Some hopeful news was floating around that from June 16th, visa stamping would resume, especially for family visit visas with multiple entry options. But that didn’t happen.
- Even single-entry visit visas are not being stamped right now.
- People who had appointments at Etimad centers (where you do biometric verification and stamping) were told not to come because the process is paused.
So, if you’re thinking of rushing to the embassy or Etimad center, hold on. It’s not just you; this is a system-wide pause.
Why the Delay? What’s Causing This Hold-Up?
From what I gather and from sources inside the embassy, the Saudi government hasn’t sent any official notification or email to embassies to resume stamping. Until that official order comes, embassies can’t move forward.
Also, with Hajj season peaking right now, priority is given to pilgrims to make sure they get to Saudi Arabia smoothly. The government seems to be waiting for the Hajj rush to settle before reopening the family and visit visa stamping.
There’s also talk about potential changes to the visa system, possibly aligning it more with GCC countries where nationals can travel across member states without separate visa stamping. But that’s just speculation for now.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’ve already applied or are planning to apply for a family visit visa, here’s what you need to know:
- Don’t rush to the embassy or Etimad center until you get official confirmation. You might waste time and energy.
- Appointments might be available online for biometric or stamping, but the actual process isn’t active yet.
- Expected reopening date for stamping is after June 20th, 2025. This is based on insider info and could change.
- Stay patient. Visa delays are frustrating, but the Saudi government is handling this with care, especially because of Hajj season.
Tip for Now
Use this waiting time to:
- Double-check your documents and application details to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
- Keep your contact details updated with the embassy and Etimad center.
- Stay tuned to reliable sources (like official embassy websites or trusted channels) for real-time updates.
FAQs About Saudi Family Visit Visa 2025
Q: When will the Saudi family visit visa stamping start again?
A: The current estimate is after June 20th, 2025. But no official date has been confirmed yet.
Q: Can I apply for a 365-day or 90-day family visit visa now?
A: Right now, those options are not available on the application platforms. You might see updates once the system stabilizes.
Q: Is the multi-entry visa option available for family visit visas?
A: Not at the moment. The multi-entry option is currently not showing up and is paused along with other visa types.
Q: Should I visit the embassy or Etimad center for stamping?
A: No. Until official orders come through, visits for stamping are being postponed. You might get calls or messages not to come.
Q: Does this delay affect all countries equally?
A: Yes, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and other affected countries are currently seeing the same hold on visa stamping.
Wrapping It Up
Look, I know waiting sucks. You want your family visit visa to open so you can reunite, or you want to plan your Umrah trip without stress. But right now, the Saudi Family Visit Visa system is in a pause mode—no stamping happening yet, no multi-entry visas available, and no clear reopening date except a hopeful “after June 20th.”
Keep your cool, keep your documents ready, and stay connected to trustworthy sources. As soon as the Saudi government gives the green light, stamping will resume, and you’ll be one step closer to your travel plans.
Remember, I’ll be here to keep you updated with the freshest news, so stick around and subscribe to channels or platforms that keep you informed.
Until then, stay patient and stay safe. When will Saudi family visit visa open in 2025? Soon—but not just yet.