Family Visa UAE:
People have loved migrating to the United Arab Emirates for a long time because it has a strong economy and a rich culture. Being allowed to bring their family with them is typically the most significant factor for people who wish to make this their home. The UAE government has made it easy for families to get together by making it obvious how to get family Visa UAE . This book is aimed to assist you and your family make the move to the UAE go smoothly by giving you crucial information and helpful advice. We will go over all the stages, rules, and most current changes in detail so that people who are applying can feel sure about what they are doing.
I. Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring Family in the UAE
To receive a family visa in the UAE, you have to meet specific standards. Most of these have to do with the sponsor’s ability to pay and the dependent’s health and relationship with the sponsor.
A. What the Sponsor needs
One significant criteria for sponsorship is that the person who is sponsoring must have a valid visa or residency permit for the UAE. This permit proves that the sponsor is lawfully living in the country and is entitled to do so. This means that family members can also be sponsored.
Having a stable income is very vital for getting money. Most of the time, male expats need to make at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 if their work pays for their housing. The usual minimum monthly salary for women living abroad is AED 10,000, which includes AED 8,000 for housing. You should know that each emirate has its own laws about what female sponsors need. For instance, women who live in Abu Dhabi may need a legitimate work visa and AED 5,000, but women who live in Dubai may only need AED 4,000 and GDFRA clearance.
In 2019, it became possible for some sorts of jobs to get a family visa without needing a sponsor. This was a big and significant improvement. This shift in policy implies that eligibility is now primarily based on money, which gives international workers more freedom. This reform will make it easier for more sponsors to come to the UAE. As long as they match the financial conditions, this means that more expatriate workers, even those with low or moderate talents, can get to the country more easily. This shows that the government cares more about the family’s financial security than the order of professionals. This could help acquire a more diversified workforce and make the application process quicker by getting rid of a layer of occupational verification.
There is no specific amount of money that a person needs to sponsor family members, especially parents. It can alter based on how many dependents the person has. It costs more money to sponsor parents. They usually want to be paid AED 20,000 a month, or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom flat. Also, sponsors who want to bring a bigger family must make a particular amount of money. They need to make at least AED 10,000 a month for up to five dependents and AED 15,000 a month for six or more dependents. These several degrees of requirements show that the system is deliberately designed to establish a compromise between attracting skilled expatriates and making sure that sponsors can sustain their children without putting too much weight on the government. The government knows that caring for and housing elder dependents costs more, so the sponsor needs to be able to give more money.
Minimum Salary Requirements for Family Visa Sponsorship
| Sponsor Type / Dependent Category | Minimum Monthly Salary (AED) | Additional Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Male Expatriate (Spouse & Children) | 4,000 | Or 3,000 + accommodation |
| Female Expatriate (Spouse & Children) | 10,000 | Or 8,000 + accommodation (may vary by emirate) |
| Sponsoring Parents | 20,000 | Or 19,000 + two-bedroom accommodation; must sponsor both parents (unless exceptions apply) |
| Sponsoring up to 5 Dependents | 10,000 | — |
| Sponsoring 6+ Dependents | 15,000 | Special approval may be required |
B. Needs of the Dependent
In the UAE, everyone in the family aged 18 and up must take and pass physical fitness tests at health centres approved by the government. The main diseases that these tests look for are HIV and Tuberculosis. People who have been diagnosed with silent or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis may still be given a “Health Fitness Certificate for Residence” for one year, as long as they get treatment and keep up with their appointments. If a person fails the medical test, they will not be able to get a visa. It’s also important to know that the UAE doesn’t allow same-sex weddings, which means that same-sex partners can’t be sponsored.
C. Who Can Sign Up As A Sponsor?
A resident can bring their partners with them. The GDRFA sets strict rules about how Muslim residents can support up to two wives. The wife needs to be at least 18 years old.
Sons can be supported until they are 25 years old as long as they are still in school. If you are not a student, the age limit is usually 18. Sons who have special needs can be any age. For sons who are learning abroad, they need to visit the UAE at least once every six months to keep their visas valid. Daughters who are not married can be supported at any age. For kids born in the UAE, the application for a residence visa must be sent in within 120 days of birth to avoid a fine.
Recently, the age limit for sponsoring boys was raised to 25 years old, up from 18 or 21 years old for students. This is part of the government’s plan to help families for a longer time, especially those with kids going to college or looking for their first job. This change in policy is probably meant to make things more stable for families and bring in people who want to stay for a long time.
There are a few “special cases” where women can sponsor their children, but the general rule is that the father is the main sponsor. A mother can sponsor her children as long as she passes certain requirements, which usually include having a valid work visa, a marriage certificate that has been attested, and the child’s birth certificate. Most importantly, if the husband is in the UAE, a Notary Public must sign and date a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from him. Based on his income, the husband shouldn’t be able to sponsor the kids either. Divorced or single mums must show court orders or appropriate certificates or affidavits that prove they have custody of their children. This is a step forward in giving women more power in the funding process, which is in line with how families work today. But the strict rules, like the need for the husband’s NOC or proof of sole custody, show that these rules are well-balanced with legal protections to keep the kids safe and make sure it’s clear who is responsible for them.
It is possible to sponsor parents, but there are tougher rules that must be followed. Most of the time, both parents must be sponsored together, unless one has died or they are separated, in which case official proof is needed. There needs to be a different room for parents in the sponsor’s home. Medical insurance is required, and each parent must pay a fee of AED 2,500 to 3,000. The backer must show that they are the only one who can take care of their parents. These rules show that the UAE cares about traditional family values and the well-being of people who count on them. They are meant to keep families from fighting or neglecting each other by making sure that all the legal and practical parts of family sponsorship are fully covered.
It is possible to support stepchildren, but there needs to be a deposit for each child and a written “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from the biological parent. Their cards usually last for a year and can be renewed every year. Sponsorship can sometimes be given to siblings and grandkids who are minors, with grandparents acting as sponsors. Students at universities in the UAE can also sponsor members of their close family.
Age Limits and Conditions for Sponsoring Children
| Dependent Type | Age Limit / Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sons | Up to 25 years if students; otherwise, typically up to 18 years | Must enter the UAE every 6 months if studying abroad |
| Unmarried Daughters | No age limit | Provided they remain unmarried |
| Children with Special Needs | No age limit | — |
| Newborns | Application must be submitted within 120 days of birth | To avoid fines |
II. The Application Process Step by Step
There are several separate steps in the application process for a UAE family visa, and each one needs careful attention to detail.
A. Putting together documents
Both the sponsor and the dependents need to bring a full set of papers. Usually, these include copies of everyone in the family’s passport, recent photos the size of a passport, the sponsor’s job offer or pay certificate, and a registered tenancy contract (Ejari) as proof of where they will live.
Attestation is a very important step for documents granted in a foreign country, like marriage and birth certificates. First, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in the home country must certify these papers. Then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE must do the same. Legal Arabic translation is needed a lot of the time. The constant focus on this process brings to light an important management step and a common reason why applications are held up or turned down. This shows how strict the UAE’s checking processes are to make sure that legal relationships are real. Applicants need to start planning early and get professional help.
B. Sending in an application
Family members must first get an entry pass before they can go to the UAE. This pass lets them come into the country for the first time while their residence visa is being processed. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) both have online forms that can be filled out. On the other hand, applications can be handled in person at licensed typing centres or Amer centres in a number of emirates.
If a resident sponsor’s dependents come to the UAE with an entry pass, they usually have 60 days to apply for a residence visa. For babies who have just been born, this time frame is increased to 120 days. The fact that you can apply for a visa online shows that the process is being updated to make it more efficient. But this is paired with strict limits, which shows that the system values quick compliance.
C. Formalities After Arrival
When family members ages 18 and up arrive in the UAE, they must go through a mandatory medical exam. An X-ray and blood work are part of these tests to look for diseases that can be spread. After a physical test goes well, an application for an Emirates ID is made. This national ID card is very important for everyone who lives there. If the medical test goes well and the application for an Emirates ID is handled, the family member will get a residence visa stamped in their passport. This is the last step in completing their permanent residency in the UAE under the sponsor’s visa. It’s important to know that most people no longer get a visa stamp in their passport. Instead, they get a Visa Sticker in the mail as proof of registration.
III. A full list of all the fees and costs
When planning for a family to move to the UAE, it is very important to know what the financial effects will be. A family visa has a lot of different costs that depend on a lot of different things.
A. Calculated total costs
It’s thought that it will cost between 4,000 and 6,000 AED for one family member. This big number usually includes things like entry permits, medical checks, an Emirates ID, health insurance, and administrative fees. The total cost depends on where the applicant lives (in or outside of UAE), which handling time they choose (normal or express), and what kind of health insurance they have. The clear fee structure is shown by the thorough breakdown of costs across different components, even though the costs vary. Location and service speed, for example, make this transparency more difficult, so applicants should carefully plan their budgets and think about these factors.
Specific Fee Components
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost (AED Range) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Permit (Outside UAE) | 500 – 700 | — |
| Entry Permit (Inside UAE) | 1,200 – 1,500 | — |
| Visa Stamping | 500 – 750 | — |
| Medical Test (Standard) | 250 – 350 | For adults 18+ |
| Medical Test (Express) | 700 – 900 | For adults 18+ |
| Emirates ID (1 Year) | 170 – 250 | — |
| Emirates ID (2 Years) | 350 – 370 | — |
| Emirates ID (3 Years) | 450 | — |
| Health Insurance (Annual) | 700 – 3,000 | Mandatory for all dependents; higher for parents (AED 5,000–10,000) |
| Security Deposit (Per Parent) | 2,500 – 3,000 | Also required for stepchildren |
| Status Change Fee (If inside UAE) | 640 – 700 | If already in UAE on visit/tourist visa |
| Administrative Fees | 100 – 300 | Typing, attestation, and other documentation charges per service/document |
IV. Important Changes, Visa Expiration Dates, and Renewals
To keep a UAE family visa lawful and up to date, you need to keep track of the sponsor’s residency status.
A. How to get a fresh visa and how long it lasts
Family visas are normally good for one, two, or three years, depending on how long the sponsor’s visa or job contract is. On the other hand, visas for parents and stepchildren are normally only good for one year and need to be renewed every year. The process for renewing is the same as the process for entering for the first time. You need to send in updated documents such passports, residency visas, and a fresh application for an Emirates ID. Anyone in the family who is at least 18 years old must take medical fitness tests again. At least one to two months before the current visa’s expiration date, the renewal process should begin to prevent penalties and visa expiration dates.
Dependent visas are tied to the sponsor’s visa, and they need to be renewed at particular intervals, like once a year for parents and stepchildren. This means that the sponsor has a significant job to do all the time. Because of this, it’s important to keep an eye on visa expiration dates ahead of time to prevent fines and maintain the family legally living in the country. If the sponsor’s visa is cancelled or runs out, the dependent visas are also cancelled. But dependents usually get an extra 30 days to either change their status or leave the country. If you stay longer than your visa allows, you will have to pay AED 50 a day.
B. Changes and new reforms
In 2022, a big reform lifted the age limit for sponsoring boys to 25. This was a major change from what was allowed before. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) have made it easier to apply for goods online and check on their status by making their digital platforms better. As was already indicated, more people can now get sponsorship because they don’t have to have a job. Changes to visas in 2024 and 2025 will add new types of visas and adjust the regulations for visiting family and friends, but these changes are not directly related to family visas. These changes might have an indirect effect on how families travel in the future. New family laws are also impacting things like divorce, child custody, and money rights. Families are safer and things are clearer because of these regulations.
V. Hard Questions and Advice from Experts to Help You with Your Application
Getting a family visa might be hard, therefore you need to know what common mistakes to avoid so you don’t do them again.
Avoiding Rejection
One of the most common reasons people get turned down is because they don’t have all the right paperwork. When filling out forms, you need to be careful and make sure that all of your documents are complete, correct, and up to date. A common concern is not having the right information or permission from parents for kids. You can also be turned down if you don’t make the minimal wage or offer clear financial statements. Your visa will be rejected if you miss or don’t finish the required medical checks or if they discover you to be medically unfit. It is very crucial to check that the sponsor meets all the requirements and gives reliable information about them. People who have overstayed their visas, been convicted of a crime, or done something illegal are likely to be denied. Sending in more than one visa application for the same individual might also pose complications. For example, if the reason for trip and the itinerary are different, that could be a red flag. The fact that missing documentation, money problems, and not satisfying medical or financial requirements keep coming up shows how crucial it is to follow all the procedures meticulously and ahead of time. This means that applications that are accepted need to be more than just satisfying the requirements; they also need to be well thought out and thorough.
B. Helpful Tips
To make the application process run more smoothly, you should take a few useful actions. You should start getting documents ready early, especially for authentication, because it can take a long time. When things get complicated or you want to prevent making mistakes, using authorised typing centres or PRO services can be quite helpful. It’s also crucial to keep up with the news because visa rules and fees can change. Check the official government websites (GDRFA, ICP) every day to get the most up-to-date information. Finally, you need to develop a reasonable budget that covers all conceivable charges, such as supplementary attestations or fast service fees.
Conclusion
It’s a big deal to bring your family to the UAE. The steps may seem hard to follow, but they are really supposed to be simple and well-organized. If all the paperwork is done correctly, the medical and financial requirements are understood, and the application procedures are followed exactly, everything should go smoothly and end well. The UAE government is making adjustments all the time, like raising the age restriction for sons and upgrading digital services. These developments suggest that they want to make it simpler for families to get back together. You can soon welcome your loved ones to their new home in the Emirates and start a new journey with them if you prepare and act carefully.
