How to sponsor your family in the UAE – A complete guide

• Overview
• Family Visa Requirements
• Eligibility Criteria
• Required Documents
• Validity and Renewal
• Visa Cost

The UAE population, especially its workforce, mainly consists of expatriates. The latest visa regulations simplify the UAE family sponsorship process, provided sponsors fall under a specified income bracket. This handy guide on sponsoring family members in the UAE can help you understand the rules and procedures for obtaining residency for your dependents. So, let’s take a look.

Please note that immigration rules in the UAE are subject to change. We will update our article if and when new laws are introduced, or any announcements are made. Also, note that we’ve only provided an overview of the process; you can visit Amer or GDRFA’s official website(s) for specific information about UAE sponsor visa.

UAE FAMILY VISA – AN OVERVIEW

In 2022, the UAE government announced major changes to its visa policy. Among the changes announced were amendments to the family sponsorship policy for expatriates in the UAE. After changes in rules for a family visa in the UAE, the government announced that residents could sponsor their sons up to 25 years of age.

UAE FAMILY VISA RULES

The family visa UAE rules state that the educational background or profession will not be a condition based on which family visas will be handed out.

Instead, the income of the residents looking to sponsor their family visas will be considered. So, regardless of your job designation, you can sponsor family members if you have the financial means and a valid visa. However, before taking the plunge, check your UAE visa status to know whether you can sponsor your loved ones.

Before the UAE family sponsorship policy amendment of 2019, only individuals from certain professions could sponsor family members. Since 2019, any male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as their wives and children, with a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.

The conditions are slightly different for female residents in Abu Dhabi looking to sponsor their families. A woman should have a valid work visa, and her monthly salary should be at least AED 5,000.

In Dubai, a woman’s salary should be at least AED 4,000 to sponsor her family. She is also required to get her request approved by the GDFRA.

RESIDENCY VISA RULES FOR CHILDREN SPONSORED BY PARENTS

After amendments to family visa Dubai rules in 2022, expats can sponsor male children up to the age of 25. The UAE family visa rules remained unchanged for daughters. There is no age limit on how long parents can sponsor their daughters – they can be sponsored until they get married.

A bonus for this type of visa is that parents will not have to make bank deposits of AED 5,000. The new family visa UAE price will be AED 100 for first-time issuance and renewal.

Children with disabilities will be granted a residence permit permanently, irrespective of their age. Moreover, Green visa residence holders can sponsor any first-degree relatives. The residency of family members will be for the same period as the sponsor residence holder.

The visa for family in UAE regulations have been well received since they were amended and announced in 2022. The new rules continue to contribute to the stability of the UAE’s economy while building a cohesive environment for individuals to start a family in the UAE. 

FAMILY VISA UAE REQUIREMENTS

Let’s take a brief look at family visa UAE requirements you need to fulfill before starting the process.

SPOUSE VISA

If you want to apply for spouse visa for Dubai, here are the requirements you’ll need to fulfill.

• Sponsoring wife: The resident must show proof of the relationship through a marriage certificate (in Arabic) and meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above to sponsor their wife.
• Sponsoring two wives: Male sponsors may be granted permission to sponsor two wives, given they meet the rules and regulations set by GDRFA.

SPONSORING CHILDREN

The requirements for obtaining a UAE residence visa for a child are slightly different for sons, daughters and stepchildren. 

• Sponsoring daughters: Residents can only sponsor daughters if they are unmarried.
• Sponsoring sons: A resident can sponsor his/her son until he is 25 years old.
  • There’s no age limit restriction to sponsor sons with special needs.
• Sponsoring newborns: If your baby is born in the UAE, a residence visa must be applied for, within 120 days of birth. Failure to do so can lead to fines.
• Sponsoring stepchildren: This is possible, given the sponsors submit a deposit for each child and a no-objection certificate from the biological parent. The government grants a residence visa for step-children for one year, but it can be renewed annually. 
• Single or married women can also sponsor their children if they follow the stipulations set by GDRFA for single or married mothers to sponsor children.

SPONSORING PARENTS IN THE UAE

• The sponsor must obtain a medical insurance policy for the parents, which must be renewed each year.
• If you want to sponsor your parents for a year’s stay, you must also pay a deposit for each parent. 
• As per the GDRFA, you must sponsor both parents together, with proof that you are their sole support and they have nobody to look after back home.
• If one of your parents has passed away or is divorced, you must show the official documents as proof or justification of sponsoring only one parent.
• The minimum salary required to sponsor a family of five is AED 10,000 and AED 15,000 for a family of six.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FAMILY VISA

Any expatriate with a valid residency permit can sponsor their family, per the UAE’s updated family visa rules.

SALARY CRITERIA TO SPONSOR VISA FOR FAMILY IN UAE

• The minimum salary for sponsoring your spouse or children in Dubai/UAE is AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation for male sponsors. There is no longer restriction on the applicant’s profession as long as the salary benchmark is met.
• Wives can also sponsor their husbands in the UAE.
• There are no occupational limitations for sponsoring a family in Dubai.
• Husbands sponsored by their wives can also apply for work permits in Dubai/UAE.
• A mother can sponsor her kids in special cases approved and verified by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship and Ports Security (UAE ICP).
• As per the resolution approved by the UAE Cabinet in January 2021, foreign students studying in universities in the UAE can also sponsor their families. However, those sponsoring their family members in the UAE as a student must have a suitable housing option.

You can download the UAEICP official app for both Apple and Andriod for a hassle-free process.

MEDICAL FITNESS FAMILY VISA UAE REQUIREMENTS

• The UAE government grants and renews residence visas in the UAE for individuals 18 years old and above only after taking a medical fitness test at a government-approved health centre. This involves a blood test and an X-ray. Dependents may also be tested for other health conditions.
• If a person is declared medically unfit, they will not be given a visa. 
• Those detected with inactive or dormant pulmonary tuberculosis are  “considered medically fit” and will be given a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’. This certificate will be contingent on the applicant’s treatment and follow-up check-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine (or any equivalent government health authority).
• Here is how you can opt for the DHA medical fitness application status check.

DURATION OF SPONSORSHIP AND TIME LIMIT

• When sponsoring your spouse, children or parents, you have a 90-day window to apply for their residence visa in the UAE after arriving there.
• Upon arrival, they are provided with an entry permit. The sponsor has 60 days to convert this permit into a valid residence visa. To learn more, refer to our blog outlining the differences between entry permits and residence visas.
• In emirates other than Dubai, the entry permit is known as “Tasheera”. You can obtain this online or from a typing centre. 
• You can also sponsor your parents. The residence visa will be given to parents on an annual basis, irrespective of the duration of your visa.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To sponsor a family member in Dubai, you must submit certain documents. We’ve categorised the required documents to help you in the process.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE SPONSOR

• Passport
• Residence visa copies
• NOC letter from the father in case the mother is the sponsor for boys below 18 years and girls below 21 years (attested by the notary public)
• In case the father is the sponsor, proof of the mother’s status (copy of her residence or Emirates ID)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE DEPENDENT CHILDREN OR PARENTS

• Scan copy of the applicant’s passport (passport should be valid for more than 6 months)
• Scan copy of previous residence visa (if applicable)
• A legalised birth certificate by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in the country of origin, followed by a legal Arabic translation
  • In case a birth certificate is not available, you can get a letter from your consulate to prove the relationship attested by MOFA and translated into Arabic
  • The confirmation must be from the consulate
• A digital photo as per ICP’s specifications
• Applicants from Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya should bring their National ID card
• Father’s unmarried undertake letter must be signed while you’re applying for the application via the online portal

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR SPOUSE

• The marriage certificate must be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in the country of origin.
• Applicants from Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya should bring their National ID cards.

VISA FOR FAMILY IN UAE VALIDITY AND RENEWAL

• The validity of the visa is for up to two to three years.
• If the sponsor’s visa lasts three years, the sponsored relatives will likely get the same duration. This excludes parents and adult sons who get a residence visa in the UAE for one year. Likewise, if the sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the dependents’ visas will also be cancelled.
• When the dependent’s residence visa expires or gets cancelled, they have 30 days to obtain a new permit. If the sponsor fails to renew the visa of his dependents, the dependents will be deemed “illegal residents”. They may also have to pay an overstay fine. Here is how you can check fine for over stay in the UAE.

FAMILY VISA COST

Here’s a look at family visa cost in Dubai.

Please note that the family visa cost in Dubai is subject to change. To know the cost of a specific service, visit Amer’s official website.

FAQS ABOUT FAMILY VISA

WHAT IS THE FAMILY VISA PRICE IN DUBAI? IS IT DIFFERENT FOR EVERY EMIRATE?

The family visa price in Dubai is the same as in the rest of the country. Please refer to the table above for the family visa cost in Dubai.

CAN I PAY FAMILY VISA CHARGES IN DUBAI ONLINE?

Yes, generally, when applying for visas, you can pay via your debit or credit card. So, once you have completed the application, family visa charges in Dubai can be paid online. You can also check your visa status online using via official website.

CAN HUSBANDS SPONSORED BY WIVES WORK IN THE UAE?

According to UAE Family Visa Rules 2021, men sponsored by wives now qualify for UAE work permits.

WHO CAN SPONSOR A FAMILY IN THE UAE?

Those who meet the minimum salary requirements and have a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor their families.

CAN A DUBAI FREELANCER SPONSOR A FAMILY IN THE UAE?

Yes, a freelance visa Dubai allows the holders to sponsor their families.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TIME FOR SPONSORING FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE UAE?

Generally, the processing time is two to three weeks. However, it can vary from case to case.

HOW MUCH DOES THE DEPENDENT VISA COST IN DUBAI?

Dependent visa cost in Dubai or family visa cost depends on the duration of the visa. For instance, a new dependent visa above 18 years costs AED 7,032.25 when the sponsor has a 2-year investor visa. Please refer to the table above for further details.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO SPONSOR A MAID IN THE UAE?

You must follow the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) protocols to sponsor maid visa in Dubai.

IS THERE A VISA CANCELLATION FEE?

Yes, dependent visa cancellation in UAE will cost you around AED 120.

If you’re coming to the UAE soon, you must know the UAE tourist and residency visa rules. You can also refer to our FAQs on moving to Dubai to help you prepare.

The government can update laws regarding visas periodically. So, it is best to keep yourself updated about the new UAE visa rules for clarity.

If you are planning to leave the country, here’s the UAE residence visa cancellation process. The process is fairly simple, and you don’t need any assistance to get it done. To check status, you can follow the process for UAE visa confirmation.