The rate of family visa applications submitted by expats to the Foreign Ministry grew by 226 percent in the past few months of the current year compared to same period last year, local media have reported quoting a senior ministry official.
The ministry received more than 300,000 applications from the beginning of January 2014 to the end of March compared to 133,000 in the same period of 2013, said Osama Al-Nuqali, head of the media department at the ministry.
Expatriates have commended the ministry’s quick processing of visa applications, saying it saved them time and energy and reduced their worries.
Al-Nuqali said the ministry used to receive online family visa application forms filled out by the expats from all parts of the Kingdom. However, in certain cases the applicant should show up personally to provide relevant documents to support his application, he said.
He said some delay might happen in accepting the application due to instability in some countries which, he said, requires more scrutiny to avoid misuse of visa.
Applications are processed on a daily basis on a chronological sequence and an application is normally finalized in a period not exceeding three work days.
“This period is considered exceptional due to the increasing number of applications, especially after the correction period that allowed huge numbers of foreigners residing in the Kingdom to correct their legal status,” he said.
226% surge recorded in family visa applications
226% surge recorded in family visa applications
