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    Family Visa Sponsorship UAE

    Sponsor your spouse, children, and parents for UAE residency

    Typical costAED 3,000–5,000 per family member
    Processing10–20 business days per person
    ValidityTied to sponsor's visa validity

    Overview

    Once you hold a valid UAE residence visa, you can sponsor immediate family members — spouse, children under 18 (or up to 25 if studying), and in some cases parents. The sponsor must meet minimum income requirements and provide proof of accommodation. Family visa holders can live in the UAE but cannot work without their own employment visa or work permit.

    Who this is for

    • UAE residents wanting to bring family
    • Founders relocating with spouse and children
    • Parents seeking to sponsor elderly dependents

    Requirements

    • Valid UAE residence visa (investor or employee)
    • Minimum salary of AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation)
    • Attested marriage certificate (for spouse)
    • Children's birth certificates (attested)
    • Tenancy contract (Ejari) proving adequate accommodation
    • Passport copies of all family members
    • Medical fitness test for each family member (12+ years)

    Process — step by step

    1

    Confirm eligibility

    Ensure you meet the minimum salary threshold and have valid accommodation (Ejari-registered tenancy contract).

    2

    Gather & attest documents

    Marriage certificates and birth certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country, then by MOFA in the UAE.

    3

    Apply for entry permit

    Submit family visa application through GDRFA (or your free zone, if applicable).

    4

    Family members enter UAE

    Family members travel to the UAE on the entry permit within 60 days of issuance.

    5

    Medical & Emirates ID

    Each family member (12+) completes medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.

    6

    Visa stamping

    Residence visas are stamped in passports. Family members are now UAE residents.

    Key cautions

    If your own visa is cancelled, all dependent visas are automatically cancelled too
    Document attestation can take 2–4 weeks — plan ahead
    Health insurance is mandatory for all family members in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

    Frequently asked questions

    Can my spouse work in the UAE on a family visa?
    Not directly. They need a separate work permit from an employer, but they don't need to cancel the family visa — they can hold both.
    What age limit applies for sponsoring children?
    Sons can be sponsored until age 18 (or 21 if studying). Daughters can be sponsored until marriage. Golden Visa holders can sponsor children regardless of age.
    Can I sponsor my parents?
    Yes, if you earn AED 20,000+/month or have accommodation worth AED 1M+. Parent visas are typically 1-year renewable.

    Related

    Investor visa guideRelocation planningEstimate relocation costs

    Sources & methodology

    This guide is compiled from official UAE government immigration sources — the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), and the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE). Visa categories, eligibility, and fees are set by these authorities and can change; always confirm the current requirements directly.

    Last updated: February 2026

    Disclaimer: This guide is educational only. Visa requirements and fees are subject to change. Always verify current information with the relevant authority or a licensed immigration advisor.