Overview
Dependent transfer concerns accompanying family members — spouses and children — not workers. It typically arises when the head of household's status changes: moving to a new employer, or wanting dependents moved onto their own sponsorship from another.
The procedure requires a sound legal position for all parties: a valid iqama for the new sponsor, a profession permitting dependent sponsorship, and valid iqamas for the dependents themselves. A defect in any of these halts the request.
Rapture reviews these conditions first, then executes and follows the transfer through to updated sponsorship records, completing the resulting updates to iqama data and health insurance.
Who is this service for?
- Residents who have transferred sponsorship and need dependents moved with them
- Those wanting to bring family members onto their own sponsorship
- Families whose legal position has changed and need sponsorship consolidated
- Anyone needing a dependent separated from a previous sponsorship for lawful reasons
Required documents
- Valid iqama for the new sponsor
- Valid iqamas for the dependents
- Attested proof of relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate)
- Consent of the current sponsor
- New sponsor's profession permitting dependent sponsorship
- Valid health insurance for the dependents
How the process works
-
Review new sponsor eligibility
We confirm the new sponsor's iqama is valid and their registered profession permits dependent sponsorship, since some professions do not.
-
Secure approvals
We obtain the current sponsor's consent and prepare the attested relationship documents required.
-
File the transfer request
We submit through the relevant platform, settle the applicable fees, and track document review.
-
Complete the transfer and update records
We track approval and confirm sponsorship, iqama and health insurance records are updated across the systems.
Expected turnaround
Three to seven working days once approvals and documents are complete.
Frequently asked questions
How does dependent transfer differ from sponsorship transfer?
Sponsorship transfer concerns expatriate workers moving between employers through Qiwa. Dependent transfer concerns accompanying family members moving between individual sponsors under a different procedure.
Is a specific profession required to sponsor dependents?
Yes. Some professions do not permit dependent sponsorship. If yours falls into that category, a profession change may be needed before the transfer can complete.
Can a dependent be transferred without the current sponsor's consent?
In standard cases consent is required. Limited statutory exceptions are assessed case by case — we recommend a review of your position before filing.
Does the relationship document need attestation?
Yes. Relationship documents issued outside the Kingdom require attestation by the competent authorities and the embassy. Missing attestation is among the most common causes of delay here.