So you want to sponsor a KSA family visit visa for your spouse or someone else in your family. What many people don’t take into account is that, not all professions are eligible to sponsor a family visa.
There are only a handful of professions eligible for family visa in Saudi Arabia.
Also, while selecting the profession you need to be careful as some of the professions are reserved only for Saudis, and not expats. You need to ensure that your Iqama is not one of them.
Table of Contents
How Can I Check My Profession in Iqama?
The meaning of “Mehna” is job category or profession. Iqama is the best way to know what one’s Mehna is. So in Saudi Arabia, if someone asks for your Mehna, it means they are asking about the profession on your Iqama.
Legally, you can’t work in a profession which is not listed on your Iqama.
You can find your Iqama profession written next to the “Mehna” category as shown below.
What are the Professions Eligible for Family Visa in Saudi Arabia
Here is the complete list of professions allowed to sponsor a Family Visa in KSA. Any profession which is not part of this list is not eligible to apply for a family visa in Saudi Arabia.
If your profession is not one of the listed professions below, you would have to change your Iqama profession.
I have further divided the professions eligible for family visa in Saudi Arabia into three sections.
Manager/Director/Consulting
- Accounts Manager
- Administrative Manager
- Air Transport Manager
- Archeological Director
- Assistant General Manager
- Bank Manager
- Banking Business Manager
- Broadcasting Manager
- Chairman (All types)/Executive Director
- Cinema Director
- Commercial Manager
- Consultant (All types)
- Company or Factory Manager
- Cooperative Society Manager
- Director
- Electricity Manager
- Executive Manager or Director
- Farm Manager
- Finance Manager
- Hospital Manager
- Hotel Manager
- Institute Manager
- Insurance Manager
- Investment Manager
- Laboratory Manager
- Land Transport Manager
- Library Manager
- Maintenance Manager
- Manager (All types)
- Manager or Director of any government organization or a private company.
- Marine Transport Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Media Manager
- Museum Manager
- Printing and Publishing Manager
- Production Director
- Regional Director
- Research & Studies Director
- Sales Manager
- School Manager
- Secretary or Manager of Library
- Television Manager
- Theatre Manager
- Tourism Agency Manager
Specialist
- Agricultural specialist (General).
- Aquatic Specialist.
- Breeding Specialist (Animals/ Birds/ Bees).
- Customs Specialist.
- Gardening Specialist
- General Specialist
- Lab Specialist
- Media Specialist
- Medical Analysis Specialist
- Medical Therapy Specialist
- Medical X-ray Specialist
- Nutrition Specialist
- Speech Specialist
- Sports Medicine Specialist
- Statistics Specialist
- X-Ray Specialist
- Zoology Specialist
Technicians
- Aircraft Maintenance Technician.
- Aviation Technician.
- Computer Technician.
- Control Equipment Technician.
- Dental Technician (Fixing).
- ECG Technician
- Flight Technician
- Foodstuff Technician
- Geology Technician
- Horse Breeding Technician
- Lab Technician
- Medical Equipment Technician
- Microscopic Technician
- Mining Technician
- Optical Technician
- Pharmaceutical Technician
- Professional Security and Safety Technician
- Radio or TV Transmission Technician
- Ship Maintenance Technician
- Telecom Technician
- Train Maintenance Technician
- Well Drilling Technician
- X-ray Technician
Other Eligible Professions
- Accountant / Accounts Verifier / Auditor
- Administration Coordinator
- Administrative Researcher
- Air Controller
- Air Hostess
- Air Navigator
- Aircraft Landing Controller
- Aircraft Takeoff Controller
- Archeological Prospector
- Archeological Researcher
- Architectural Draftsman
- Army Officer
- Artists (actors, musicians, composers, poets, painters, and singers)
- Assistant Engineer (all specializations)
- Assistant Pharmacist
- Assistant Pilot
- Astronomer
- Auditor
- Author
- Aviation Guide
- Aviation Trainer
- Bank Official
- Banker
- Business lady
- Businessman
- Captain of Ship/Cruise/Carrier/Steamship
- Career Counselor
- Chemist (All Specializations)
- Chief Justice
- Cinema Cameraman
- Cinema or Television Producer
- College Dean
- Commercial Broker
- Computer Programmer
- Correspondent (Newspaper/Radio/TV)
- Cruise Ship Guide
- Customs Clearer
- Decoration Designer
- Diplomat (Members of diplomatic corps)
- Earthquakes expert
- Economic Analyst
- Employees at the Embassies in the GCC countries
- Engineers registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers
- Executive Secretary
- Finance/Economics Expert
- Food Controller
- General Professional Trainer
- General Supervisor
- Geologist (General)
- Head of Prosecution
- Information Systems Expert
- Investor
- Jeweler
- Journalist
- Judge
- Land Hostess
- Lawyer / Advocate
- Lecturer
- Legal Expert
- Legal Researcher
- Literator
- Male or Female Nurse
- Marine Navigator
- Marine Traffic Controller
- Maritime Controller
- Marketing Executive
- Marketing Representative
- Media Controller
- Media Person
- Ministry Undersecretary
- Operations Analyst
- Partner
- Pharmacist
- Physician (All specializations)
- Physicist
- Pilot
- Player (All sports items in a sports club)
- President or Director of a Club
- President or Director of a University
- Press Photographer
- Procurement Representative
- Professor
- Program Designer
- Program Producer.
- Proofreader
- Prosecutor
- Psychiatrist
- Quality Controller
- Quantity Enumerator
- Referee (sports)
- Religious person
- Road Controller
- Sales Executive
- Sales Representative
- Scientist
- Ship Captain
- Shop Supervisor
- Sociologist
- Special Needs Teacher
- Sports Representative
- Sports Trainer
- Support Services Jobs
- Surgeon (All specializations)
- Systems Analyst
- Teacher / Instructor
- Tourist Guide
- Trader
- Translator
- Travel or Tourism Agent
- TV Cameraman
- TV or Radio Programs Presenter
- University Professor
- University Student
- Veterinary Doctor
- Weather Expert
Change Saudia Arabia Iqama Profession
If your current profession on Saudi Iqama is different from your actual profession, you can change it to apply for a Saudi family visit visa or for any other reason.
Here are the requirements for Iqama profession change.
1. Registration with the Relevant Professional Body
Depending on your profession you would need to be registered with one or more professional bodies in Saudi Arabia.
- The 136 technician professions and engineers need to register with Saudi Council of Engineers.
- All health practitioners need to register with Mumaris Plus.
- All accountants, auditors and people working finance job need to register with SOCPA
It often happens that you would be able to register temporarily with one of teh professional bodies but you won’t be able to renew your registration with the professional body if your educational qualification doesn’t match your current profession.
For example, if you are an accountant, but you did a Bachelors in Arts and a Masters in Political Science, in that case things are gonna get tricky.
You can reach out to them through their helpline or help center email in these cases to get more details.
2. Get Your Degree Attested to Match with Iqama Profession
You need to get the degree attested from the Saudi embassy of the country that issued your degree in the first place. So for example, if you got your degree in the Philippines, that means the Saudi embassy of the Philippines can attest your degree.
If your degree is from a university or institute in Saudi Arabia, in that case you don’t need to attest it.3. Be in Saudi Arabia
You can change your profession on Iqama only when you are inside Saudi Arabia.
4. Pay the Fees to Change Iqama Profession
The fees to change Iqama profession is 1000 SR. You can make the payment in any of the banks is Saudi Arabia using Internet banking for this.
5. Contact the GRO of the Company
Once you have made the payment, your employer needs to contact the Government Relations Officer of your company to start the process.
Usually the HR of your company would take care of this.
6. Check the Status of Change in Profession
After applying to change your Iqama profession, you can check your profession on
- In Absher Account
Log into your Absher account and check the change of your profession, by visiting the “Dashboard” and then checking the left side of the screen to check your details. - NCB Internent Banking
If you have a bank account with Al Ahli bank, you can also check your Iqama Mehna using the NCB internet banking services.
7. Get a New Iqama
Visit any Jawazat office to get the new Iqama that should have your new profession. The whole process to change the profession can take 20 or more business days.
You can keep on using the old Iqama until you get the new one.
Changing Iqama Profession: F.A.Q.S
Can You Change Iqama Profession without Certificate?
There are certain profession changes that don’t need an attested degree.
1. Changing Non-technical professions
If you are changing your profession from one non-technical profession to another, for example laborer to cleaner, you don’t need attested certificates.
2. Changing from a Technical to Labor Profession
A Saudi resident with Iqama profession as an accountant can be registered with any degree with SOCPA and then transfer it to Labor. The same goes for a computer technician.
Can Domestic Workers Change Saudi Iqama Profession?
If your Iqama profession is a domestic worker such as Housemaid, Driver etc., you can’t change it into a business profession. You can only transfer it to some other domestic profession.
Reasons Your Iqama Profession Change was Denied
In reality, there are many reasons your application for an Iqama profession change might be rejected. Here are the most common ones.
- The Iqama has expired.
In this case, you would need to renew the iqama as soon as possible. - The Iqama profession is reserved for Saudis.
- Your company is in Red Nitaqat category.
- Your membership with SOCPA, SCE or Mumaris has expired.
- You need to be registered with two professional bodies in Saudi Arabia, but you are registered with only one.
For example, if you are a computer programmer registered with SOCPA, but not with SCE, in that case you would need to get a temporary membership of SCE first to change the Iqama profession.
Let’s say you want to change your profession to an Accountant, then SOCPA membership is required
How to Get Mofa Family Visit Visa Saudi Arabia: 2021 Updates
sALAM…
sIR, LIKE TO ASK YOUR INTERVENTION REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF THE IQAMA OF MY 3 KIDS FROM THEIR FATHER INTO MY SPONSORSHIP, IM NURSE SPECIALIST.
WE’RE INSIDE THE KSA AND IM WORKING IN KING FAHAD HOSPITAL JEDDAH.
INSHA’ALLAH, THINGS WILL BE FAVORable for my family.
JazakAllakhier…
Hi sir Deb! According to changing an iqamah of my husband, currently working in ksa. His profession in his iqama is NAJAR, arabic word of Carpenter/labour. But he is actually working as a land surveyor . Which kind of profession he can use for changing iqama profession,that is eligible for apply a family visa. I am hoping for your answer sir. TIA..
Hi Normina,
Changing the profession is a process in itself. He can use one of the professions mentioned in the article that is close to what he does and then get it reflected.
Dear Sir,
Can you please confirm that I can change my profession which is AAMIL on my iqama can change to General Supervisor?
Dear Sir,
Can you please confirm that I can change my profession which is AAMIL on my iqama can change to General Supervisor?
Why Nurse is not eligible for family visa?
Does System analyst profession require degree attestation? to issue the Iqama for family?
Hey! I would like to know that mu husband works at Saudi under manager category.
He has completed an international diploma and its not a degree.
So when he applies for visa he has to submit his educational documents to the embassy for the verification.
He is eligible to sponsor dependent visa only if he had completed degree or we can proceed with the international diploma certificate?
Sir my iqama is marketing and my family already in KSA on family visit visa. If I change my profession , is there any issue .
Pls suggest.
Thanks.
Hi Rouf,
Not an issue.
Hi Dear,
IMy profession on Iqama is General Surveyor. And basic salary is 4500. Can i apply for family visa on permanent basis iqama.
Reply me ASAP.
Thanks
My Occupation is,
Ordinary worker / عامل عادي .
Can i apply for family visit ?
Check the list and you have your answer.
Dear Sir,
I would like to bring my family from india. So I have approached with istiqdam office regarding family visa. My Igama profession is food provider but my profession is Civil Engineer (DESIGN ENGINEER) in my office record. Becasuse of IGAMA profession the istiqdam office is denied to issue visa. For this purpose I have conveyed this message to HR Department.But this issue is prolonging for the past five months.I am a Master Degree holder and government employee. Whenever I am visiting to SCE office they are simply saying that your Jawazat is not updated and yaqeem verified pending.please revert back with solution.
Hi Sudhakar,
The only option is to change your profession as per your educational qualifications. It will take time and effort, but it will be worth the trouble.
Dear Sir,
Hope you are doing well.
My iqama profession is Transport Manager and my education is Master of Business Administration. Please let me know, Am I eligible for applying family Visa.
And pls advise which membership is suitable for me?
Hello sir,
Hope you’re doing well.
I would like to know that is it possible to change the profession to computer technician or a medical equipment technician if you have an other relevant qualification but not the exact qualification ? I am qualified in electronics & telecommunication.
Yes, it is possible.
Hi,
could you please if store keeper is profession as per IQAMA allowed to bring family to KSA?
I don’t think so.
Dear Sir,
My Iqama profession is Sales representative and I have bachelor degree in Finance, is it okay for sales representative profession
If yes do I need to attest my graduation certificate from embassy.
Please advice
Yes, you should, Richard.
Hello, Deb,
i need a prompt response from you, in changing my profession,
My visa issued on PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR, now i want to bring my family on IQAMA, but this profession not in the list.
The issue is that when i sent my papers for attestation , they refuse my graduation degree, which i did privately from Karachi university, & it is not acceptable.
2ndly my MBA degree is also not acceptable as it was issued from Preston University. & it is an American university.
pls advise any proper profession based on my High School degree.
thanks
Hi Adnan,
Have you tried getting your MBA degree attested from the Saudi embassy/consulate in the USA where you did it? They should be able to attest it.
The graduation degree can be attested in Pakistan. I don’t understand why it could not happen.
My qualification is deplamo electrical and electronics engineering but my Iqama profession is industrial equipment installation techinican can I get permanent family visa
I have completed my 3 years diploma in civil engineering.saudi embassy didn’t not allow to stamp engineering visa.what to do.i have embassy attested diploma certificate.
Hi,
I have been membership of SCE as Technician, am i eligible to sponsor family residence visa? if so, do i need to get my diploma certificate attested, SCE already approved my certificate which has UAE MOFA attested and i got SCE membership ID.
Hi Deb,
What professions do not need a degree? I work in Marketing, and I do not have any formal qualifications or a degree.
The company that I will be working for is an Advertising/Marketing company. I am based in London and I assume I have to do a work visa from here? If the company offer me a low level title or a title that does not need a degree will i still have to ability to sponsor my family? My company are including family visas also.
Thanks,
Shoaib
Hi Shoaib,
I believe this is a problem that a lot of people face even after having a degree in the field they are working for. If you can get a job through some kind of connection where you bring your experience from London. I don’t think it would be that hard if you can find the right channels and you really want to be there. Then you can sponsor your family easily. Because if you go with a low-level title, it would take time to make these changes and then you would be fighting through the bureaucracy.
But if your company is for sure sponsoring and helping you with the family visas, then worth taking a shot maybe.
Hi Deb,
The article is quite informative.
Please advice me, say I bring my family on resident visa based on my existing iqama profession and after that I change my profession when my family would be already in KSA. In this case, do I need to make change / issue new iqama for my resident family member as well.?
Note: Both my existing and prospective professions are eligible for resident family visa.
Would highly appreciate if you could respond earlier.
Thanks in advance
Hi Thiag,
No I don’t think that would be necessary.
Dear Deb,
My profession in iqama is Stock controller and i have bachelors degree attested by embassy . Is this profession is allowed to get family visa. Kindly advise.
This profession is not in the list above.
HI DEAR,
CAN YOU SUGGEST ME WHICH PROFESSION IS RELATED TO MASTER OF COMMERCE (M.COM). I Did choose profession on SOCPA as a cost accountant but they cancelled of my certificate. kindly told to me which profession i will choose now and they will accept it related mcom.
My Iqama is manufacturing officer can i get permanent family visa?
My Profession in iqama as Seller, Can I able to bring my family on permanent visa in KSA, I don’t have degree attestation, Degree certificate is mandatory to bring family on permanent visa in KSA for Iqama profession for SELLER.
Hi Deb,
This is Santanu and an IT professional. Currently in Riyadh since 14th Oct, however my IQAMA is not processed yet as SCE still showing verification is in progress on my MCA degree. Also last week they asked for my bachelor degree details which is in pure Bsc (pure science), nothing to do with MCA or my technical role currently playing.
Could you please update whether Bsc will be considered on top of MCA as my BSC degree certificate is not legalized yet or not been asked before. Also any impact you see on getting IQAMA if you have any knowledge.
Have you got your Iqama?
My profession is in MOI Mechanical Maintenance Tech and SCE Assistant Technician. is Am eligible for Apply Family Visa?
My visa is occupational, health safety supervisor, which is not in SEC registration category but I am eligible for SEC as I have engineering certificate, so can I sponsor family visa without registered in SEC ?
My profession in iqama is inventory clerk and i have Masters degree (MBA-Finance) attested by embassy . Is this profession is allowed to get family visa. Kindly advise.
Could someone guide me if I can have family visa on iqama profession of مراقب عام? And please tell me which profession is eligible for family visa and doesn’t require degree or certificate?
Dear saeed bhai , i have same question
i have same profession with b.com degree
just tell me did u get ur answer??
guide me too sir
Could you please suggest me which profession is eligible for B.COM degree (Bachelor in Commerce) ?
Accounts professions are specify for Saudi’s only. I am from Pakistan
Hello sir
I have 2 years diploma in Orthopaedic Cast Technology. And attested by Saudi embassy in my home country, on getting here, I was asked to do mumaris but my profession is not listed on mumaris, I applied for qualification of new study buy rejected stating that no relationship between qualification and specialty applied for. And I’m yet to get my iqama, please sir what do you suggest.
I am registered in Saudi Council Of Engineers as Mechanical Engineer but my iqama profession is General Electrician, Can I apply for Permanent Family Visa.
I am trying to change my Iqama profession but there is technical problem. Please advice if my registration at SEC sufficient to proceed for visa application.
I am not really sure about this. Maybe. You can apply and see how it goes.
I need to confirm if Information System Analyst and System Analyst are same professions as my profession is Information System Analyst and it is not on the list? Secondly, my profession doesn’t require SCE Registration, do I still need to attest my degrees from Saudi Culture and Saudi Embassy for permanent family visa?
Hi,
Yes, I believe they are the same.
Attesting the degree is always a good idea and would help in the future. Please check with the embassy if you have to do it.
My iqama profession is construction site supervisor, am i eligible for permanent family visa.
Awaiting for your reply.
Thank you
What are the reqaire dacument and qaulification for maintenance manager
Sir i have transferable iqama. The profession on my iqama is office cleaner. I want to do job as a teacher. Can school give trasfer?