UAE Family Visa & Sponsorship: Eligibility, Requirements & Process
Looking to sponsor your family in the UAE? At Gulliver Travels, we specialize in UAE Family Visa applications with complete support for documentation, attestations, and approvals. No matter if you are applying for your spouse, children, or parents, our expert team takes care of everything. We handle MOFA attestation and Emirates ID processing.
UAE Family Visa Requirements
To bring your loved ones to the UAE, you must be a UAE resident with a valid employment visa and meet the minimum income requirement. In most cases, the sponsor should earn at least AED 4,000 per month (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation). Both male and female expatriates can sponsor family members, provided they meet the conditions. All adults (18+) must also pass a mandatory medical fitness test.
With these requirements in place, you can apply through:
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, or
- Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) in other emirates to sponsor your spouse, children, or parents.
Who Can You Sponsor
Spouse
- A legally married husband or wife (attested marriage certificate required).
- Muslim men can sponsor up to two wives if conditions are met.
Children
- Unmarried sons up to age 25.
- Unmarried daughters of any age.
- Sons over 25 can remain on a family visa if enrolled in full-time education.
- Children with special needs are exempt from age restrictions.
- Babies born in the UAE must have their visas applied for within 120 days of birth.
Parents
- Residents can sponsor their parents on a renewable one-year visa.
- In most cases, both parents must be sponsored together, unless one is deceased or divorced.
- Sponsors must provide health insurance and proof of sole sponsorship.
Family Visa Validity
Family visas are normally valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the sponsor’s visa, and must be renewed before expiry.
Additional Sponsorship Conditions
To sponsor family members, you must meet certain conditions set by the UAE authorities:
- Minimum Income: A monthly salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 with accommodation, is required. (Figures may vary depending on relationship and visa type.)
- Employment Status: You must be employed or own a registered business in the UAE. Tourist or temporary visa holders are not eligible.
- Valid UAE Residency: Only residents with a valid UAE visa can sponsor dependents.
- Eligible Relationships: You can sponsor immediate family—spouse, children, and parents. In some cases, siblings or stepchildren may also be eligible.
Before applying, you’ll need to gather the following documents:
- Attested Marriage Certificate: Required for sponsoring a spouse, with attestation from both your home country and the UAE Embassy.
- Birth Certificates: Attested birth certificates for children.
- Employment Proof: A salary certificate or copy of your labor contract as income verification.
- Accommodation Proof: A tenancy contract or official company-provided housing agreement.
- Health Insurance: Valid medical insurance is mandatory for all family members.
- Medical Fitness Report: Adults (18+) must undergo and pass a medical fitness test.
- Passport Copies: Your passport and those of the dependents.
- Photographs: Recent passport-sized photos of the family members.
- Emirates ID Forms: Emirates ID applications for each sponsored person.
Application Process
- Submit Application – File the family visa application through GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates).
- Pay Fees – Fees usually range between AED 1,000–2,000 depending on visa type and duration. Additional charges apply for urgent processing.
- Medical Screening – Adults (18+) must pass the mandatory health check.
- Emirates ID – Apply for Emirates ID after the medical test, with biometric data.
- Visa Stamping – Once approved, the residency visa is stamped in the dependent’s passport.
Renewals & Grace Period
- Family visas must be renewed before expiry, following the same process as the first application.
- After visa expiry, there is usually a 30–60 day grace period (depending on emirate) to renew or exit the country. Overstay fines apply after this period.
Special Cases
- Working Family Members – Dependents who find employment can transfer from a family visa to a work visa through their employer.
- Students – Sons over 25 can remain on a family visa if they are full-time students. Proof of enrollment is required. Unmarried daughters can remain under sponsorship until they marry.
- Parents – Sponsoring parents requires proof of no other caregiver and medical insurance coverage.
Tips to Avoid Delays or Rejections
- Ensure all documents are correctly attested in both your home country and the UAE.
- Submit clear copies of passports and photos with a white background.
- Apply for renewals at least 30 days before expiry to avoid fines.
- Keep all receipts, Emirates ID applications, and approvals for records.
At Gulliver Travels, we make the UAE family visa process simple. Our team helps with:
- Document preparation and verification
- MOFA attestations
- Emirates ID applications
- Visa renewals and stamping
We ensure your family’s visa application is smooth and stress-free.
FAQ's Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a UAE Family Visa?
Usually between 1–3 weeks, depending on the emirate, medical test results, and approval speed.
Can I sponsor my wife if I earn less than AED 4,000?
In some emirates, you can with AED 3,000 plus company-provided housing. Always confirm with GDRFA or ICP before applying.
Can I sponsor both my parents?
Yes, but you must sponsor both together unless you provide proof of death or divorce of one parent. You also need to show you are their sole supporter.
What if my child turns 18 while on a family visa?
Sons can stay under sponsorship until 25 if they are full-time students. Daughters can remain under sponsorship until they get married.
Can I sponsor stepchildren?
Yes, but you will need legal custody papers, NOC from the biological parent, and attested documents.
What happens if I don’t renew the visa before expiry?
You have a 30–60 day grace period after expiry to renew or exit the country. Overstaying beyond the grace period will result in daily fines.
Can I sponsor my newborn child in the UAE?
Yes, you must apply for the visa within 120 days of birth to avoid fines. A birth certificate (attested if required) is necessary.
Do family members need medical tests?
Yes, all dependents aged 18+ must undergo and pass the mandatory medical fitness test.
Can dependents work in the UAE while on a family visa?
Yes, but they need to get a valid work permit from their employer. Their visa type will then convert to an employment visa.
Is health insurance mandatory for family visa applications?
Yes, health insurance is required for all dependents before the visa is approved.
How long are family visas valid?
Family visas are usually valid for 1–3 years, depending on the sponsor’s visa validity. Parent visas are typically issued for one year only.
Can I cancel a family visa if needed?
Yes, you can cancel a dependent’s visa at any GDRFA/ICP office or typing center before they leave the UAE or transfer to a new sponsor.
What if my dependent fails the medical test?
If a dependent is found medically unfit (for conditions like HIV or tuberculosis), the visa will be denied or not renewed, and the individual may need to leave the UAE.
Can women sponsor their families?
Yes, women can sponsor their husband and children if they earn the required minimum salary and meet specific criteria set by immigration authorities.
Can I sponsor my siblings or extended family?
Generally, no. Sponsorship is limited to spouse, children, and parents. Siblings and extended family members are not eligible under regular rules.
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© 2022 Gulliver Travels LLC • All rights reserved