Relocating Your Family to Saudi Arabia: What Are the Critical Steps?

A practical guide to relocating your family to Saudi Arabia, covering visas, housing, schooling, insurance, and cultural setup.

Family relocation is one of the most critical, yet most underestimated, components of a successful Saudi market entry. According to AstroLabs’ 2025 Saudi Market Entry Report, 65% of companies reported a highly satisfactory family relocation experience, up sharply from just 35% the year prior. The difference largely came down to preparation and structured support.

If you are in the process of setting up a foreign business in Saudi Arabia, this guide walks you through the key steps: obtaining dependent visas, finding housing, selecting schools, securing insurance, and supporting your family's cultural integration from day one.

Step 1: Obtain Dependent Visas

Once your General Manager (GM) receives their Iqama (residency permit), they can apply for dependent visas for their spouse and children through the Ministry of Interior. This step cannot be initiated before the GM's Iqama is confirmed and active.

Required documents:

• Valid GM Iqama
• Marriage certificate (officially translated into Arabic and attested)
• Birth certificates for all children (officially translated and attested)
• Passport copies and passport-size photos for all dependents
• Family visa application submitted via the Ministry of Interior

Important: All documents issued outside Saudi Arabia must be officially translated into Arabic and attested—either by the Saudi embassy or consulate in the country of issue or via Apostille where applicable. Incomplete or incorrectly attested documents are the most common cause of dependent visa delays. Prepare this paperwork before the GM arrives in the Kingdom, not after.

Related read: General Manager's Checklist for Setting Up a Foreign Business in Saudi Arabia

Step 2: Find Suitable Housing

Securing appropriate accommodation is a central pillar of a smooth relocation. As more companies establish operations in Saudi Arabia and mega-projects continue to ramp up staffing, demand for family-friendly housing in Riyadh and Jeddah has intensified—particularly for compounds that offer security, amenities for children, and proximity to international schools.

What to factor into your housing search:

• Proximity to your office and key clients
• Distance to shortlisted international schools
• Compound facilities: security, recreation, and community
• Lease flexibility and exit clauses
• Transportation access for family members

Recent developments that improve your options:

• 5-year rent freeze in Riyadh: A landmark decision freezing rent increases in Riyadh for five years gives your business greater budget predictability and makes long-term housing commitments significantly less risky.
• 555,000 new residential units by 2030: Saudi Arabia's national housing program targets delivery of 555,000 new units by 2030, including 200,000 in Riyadh alone, which will expand availability substantially over the coming years.
• Property ownership for foreigners from 2026: Foreigners are now permitted to purchase property in designated areas of Saudi Arabia. For executives committing to a multi-year tenure, ownership is an increasingly viable alternative to renting.

NOTE: It is recommended to engage a local relocation specialist or real estate partner early in the process and, where possible, secure a corporate lease before the move date. Families that arrive without confirmed accommodation typically take longer to settle, which can directly impact the GM’s operational focus.

Step 3: Select the Right School

For families with children, finding the right school is typically the most time-sensitive and emotionally significant aspect of relocation. Saudi Arabia's education system spans three levels — elementary (ages 6–12), intermediate (ages 12–15), and secondary (ages 15–18) — across both public and private institutions.

Public vs. private schooling for expat families:

Most expat families enroll in private international schools. Public schools are primarily for Saudi nationals, though non-Saudi children can attend under a quota system—Cabinet Resolution No. 65 caps non-Saudi enrollment at 15% across all three educational levels, applied at the district or governorate level. In practice, private international schools offering American, British, or IB curricula are the default choice for relocating families, as they provide curriculum continuity, English-medium instruction, and globally recognized accreditation.

Admission requirements for private international schools:

Elementary:

• Recent academic records from the previous school

Intermediate:

• First class: Grade 6 primary passing certificate (or equivalent)
• Second class: Grade 6 primary certificate + intermediate first-class passing certificate
• Sixth-grade class: Grade 6 primary certificate + intermediate second-class passing certificate

Secondary:

• First class: Original intermediate sixth-grade passing certificate (or equivalent)
• Second class (Arts/Science): Intermediate sixth-grade certificate + secondary first-class passing document, showing subjects and grades
• General Secondary Examination: Intermediate sixth-grade certificate + secondary second-class passing document, showing subjects and grades

Important: All academic documents issued outside Saudi Arabia must be attested by the relevant official authority before submission. Missing or incorrectly attested documents are one of the most common causes of enrollment delays.

Note: Begin your school research and application process at least 6–12 months before your planned relocation date.

For a full overview of the Saudi schooling system—including level-by-level admission requirements and university pathways—visit this guide.

Step 4: Secure Health and Property Insurance

Insurance coverage is not optional—it is a legal prerequisite and a practical necessity.

• Health insurance must be active for the GM and all dependents before dependent Iqamas can be issued. It must come from a provider approved by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI). Ensure coverage is in place before or on the day of arrival.
• Property insurance is strongly advisable for both rented and owned accommodation, particularly for families relocating high-value personal belongings or setting up a fully furnished home.

Step 5: Support Cultural Integration

Executives and their families who adapt to Saudi culture quickly build stronger stakeholder relationships and perform more effectively in their roles. Cultural adjustment is not a soft consideration—it has a measurable impact on business outcomes.

Areas where structured support makes the biggest difference:

• Cultural orientation before or shortly after arrival: business etiquette, communication norms, Ramadan rhythms, and everyday social customs
• Basic Arabic: even a small working knowledge of greetings and common phrases builds goodwill with Saudi colleagues and clients
• Community integration: connecting relocating families with an established expat network, particularly for spouses who may not be working, significantly reduces isolation and early departure risk
• Practical day-one setup: registering a SIM card, opening a personal bank account, and navigating routine logistics in the first week removes early friction and lets the GM focus entirely on the business

Making Relocation Part of Your Market Entry Strategy

A smooth family relocation directly enables faster, more confident market execution. Executives who are settled at home make better decisions, stay in role longer, and build the deep local relationships that drive sustained growth in Saudi Arabia.

As part of your business setup process, partnering with specialist providers for housing search, school placement, and cultural orientation is one of the highest-return investments you can make in your first 90 days of operations.