Complete Guide to Obtaining a Family Visa for the UAE: Everything You Need to Know
The United Arab Emirates remains one of the most attractive destinations for expatriates due to its strong economy, modern lifestyle, and multicultural environment. For many, the ability to bring their family to the UAE is the most important part of establishing long-term residency.
This Family Visa UAE Guide (2025) explains everything you need to know — eligibility, requirements, rules, costs, and the full process — so you can confidently sponsor your loved ones and ensure a smooth transition to life in the UAE.
United Arab Emirates
I. Eligibility Criteria for Family Visa UAE
A. Requirements for the Sponsor
To sponsor your family in the UAE, you must meet certain conditions related to residency, salary, and accommodation.
1. Valid UAE Residency Permit
The sponsor must hold a valid UAE residence visa. This allows expats to bring their dependents legally into the UAE.
2. Minimum Salary Requirements
Sponsorship is primarily based on income, not profession (after the 2019 policy reform).
| Sponsor Type / Dependent Category | Minimum Monthly Salary (AED) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Male Expat – Spouse & Children | 4,000 | Plus Ejari |
| Female Expat – Spouse & Children | 10,000 | Or 8,000 + accommodation (varies by emirate) |
| Sponsoring Parents | 20,000 | Or 19,000 + 2-bedroom accommodation |
| Sponsoring up to 5 dependents | 10,000 | — |
| Sponsoring 6+ dependents | 15,000 | Special approval may apply |
🔹 Key Change: Profession is no longer a factor — income alone determines eligibility.
3. Special Salary Conditions for Parents
Sponsoring parents requires higher financial capability due to medical and housing costs.
B. Requirements for Dependents
1. Mandatory Medical Fitness Test (Age 18+)
All dependents aged 18 or above must undergo a medical test that checks for:
- HIV
- Tuberculosis
If diagnosed with inactive TB, a one-year residence visa may still be granted with treatment.
2. Eligible Family Members for Sponsorship
You may sponsor:
- Spouse (18+ years old)
- Sons up to 25 years if studying; otherwise 18
- Daughters (unmarried) — no age limit
- Children with disabilities — no age limit
- Newborns — visa application within 120 days
- Parents — must sponsor both unless legally justified
- Stepchildren — with NOC from the biological parent
Special Rules for Mothers Sponsoring Children
A mother can sponsor her children if:
- She has a valid residency and meets salary rules
- Marriage certificate & birth certificates are attested
- Husband provides a Notarized NOC, unless she has custody orders
II. Step-by-Step UAE Family Visa Process
A. Document Preparation
You will need:
- Passport copies (all family members)
- Sponsor’s Emirates ID
- Passport-sized photos
- Attested marriage & birth certificates
- Sponsor’s salary certificate or labour contract
- Ejari / tenancy contract
- Sponsor’s bank statements (if required)
Document Attestation Required
Documents issued outside the UAE must be attested by:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (home country)
- UAE Embassy
- UAE MOFA (after arrival)
- Arabic legal translation
B. Submission of Application
1. Apply for Entry Permit
Applications can be submitted via:
- ICP Smart Services
- GDRFA website
- Amer Centre
- Typing centres
Entry Permits are valid for 60 days (newborns: 120 days).
C. Post-Arrival Procedures
After dependents enter the UAE:
- Medical Test (18+ only)
- Emirates ID application
- Health insurance issuance
- Visa stamping (now digital visa sticker)
Once these steps are completed, the dependent receives their Residence Visa.
III. Family Visa UAE Fees & Total Cost (2025)
The average cost to sponsor one family member ranges from AED 4,000–6,000.
Breakdown of Costs:
| Fee Type | AED Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Permit (Outside UAE) | 500–700 | — |
| Entry Permit (Inside UAE) | 1,200–1,500 | — |
| Status Change (Inside UAE) | 640–700 | — |
| Visa Stamping | 500–750 | Digital sticker |
| Medical Test (Standard) | 250–350 | Adults 18+ |
| Medical Test (Express) | 700–900 | — |
| Emirates ID (1 year) | 170–250 | — |
| Emirates ID (2 years) | 350–370 | — |
| Emirates ID (3 years) | 450 | — |
| Health Insurance | 700–3,000 | Parents: 5,000–10,000 |
| Parent Deposit | 2,500–3,000 per parent | Refundable |
| Typing/Admin Fees | 100–300 | Per document |
IV. Visa Duration, Renewal, and Expiry Rules
A. Visa Validity
- Valid for 1, 2, or 3 years
- Parents & stepchildren usually receive 1-year visas
B. Renewal Requirements
- Must be renewed before expiry
- Medical test required again for dependents 18+
- Visa is tied to the sponsor’s residency
- If sponsor’s visa expires or is cancelled, all dependent visas expire
- A 30-day grace period is provided
- Overstay fines: AED 50 per day
V. Common Reasons for Rejection & Expert Tips
A. Reasons Family Visa UAE Applications Are Rejected
- Incomplete documents
- Unattested marriage/birth certificates
- Insufficient salary
- Missing NOC (for special cases)
- Failed medical test
- Mismatched or incorrect information
- Multiple applications for the same dependent
- Past overstays or legal violations
B. Expert Tips for a Smooth Approval
- Start document attestation early
- Double-check all forms before submission
- Use Amer or typing centres to avoid errors
- Keep up to date with new UAE residency rules (via ICP & GDRFA)
- Budget for unexpected costs (attestations, express services, extra insurance)
Conclusion
Obtaining a Family Visa in the UAE may seem detailed, but the process is designed to be clear and efficient. By preparing documents properly, meeting the income requirements, and following the step-by-step procedure, you can easily bring your family to live with you in the UAE.
The UAE continuously updates its laws to support family stability — such as raising the sponsorship age for sons to 25 and simplifying income-based criteria — making the process more accessible for expatriates.grading 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.
Family Visa UAE – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a Family Visa in the UAE?
A Family Visa allows UAE residents to sponsor their spouse, children, and parents to live with them in the UAE.
2. Who can sponsor their family in the UAE?
Any UAE resident (expat) with a valid residence visa and who meets the minimum salary requirements can sponsor their family members.
3. What is the minimum salary required to sponsor a family in the UAE?
Male Expat: AED 4,000 plus Ejari
Female Expat: AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 + accommodation (varies by emirate)
Parents: AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 + 2-bedroom accommodation4. Which family members can be sponsored?
1: Spouse
2: Sons up to 25 years old (or any age if disabled)
3: Unmarried daughters (no age limit)
4: Newborns (within 120 days of birth)
5: Parents (with additional conditions)
6: Stepchildren (with NOC)5. What are the medical requirements for sponsored dependents?
Dependents aged 18 and above must pass a UAE medical fitness test for:
1: HIV
2: Tuberculosis6. Can a mother sponsor her children?
Yes. A mother may sponsor her children if she meets the salary requirement and provides:
1: Attested marriage & birth certificates
2: Husband’s NOC, unless she has legal custody7. How long is the Family Visa valid?
Family visas are usually valid for 1, 2, or 3 years, depending on the sponsor’s visa.
Parents and stepchildren usually receive a 1-year visa.8. What documents are required for a Family Visa?
1: Passport copies of dependents
2: Sponsor’s Emirates ID
3: Passport photos
4: Attested marriage/birth certificates
5: Salary certificate or labour contract
6: Ejari/tenancy contract
7: Health insurance9. How much does a Family Visa in the UAE cost?
On average, AED 4,000–6,000 per family member, including:
1: Entry permit
2: Medical test
3: Emirates ID
4: Visa stamping
5: Insurance
6: Typing/admin fees
Parents require additional deposits (AED 2,500–3,000 each).10. How long does the Family Visa process take?
The process typically takes 1–2 weeks, depending on availability of documents, medical test timing, and approval time.
11. What happens if the sponsor’s visa expires or is cancelled?
All dependent visas become invalid. Dependents get a 30-day grace period to renew, change status, or exit the UAE.
12. Can Family Visas be renewed?
Yes. Family visas can be renewed before expiry by completing:
1: Updated documents
2: Medical test (18+)
3: Renewed Emirates ID
4: Valid passport & insurance13. Can I sponsor my parents-in-law?
Typically not, unless special approval is granted. Usually only biological parents can be sponsored.
14. Can family members work on a Family Visa?
Yes. Family members can work after getting a work permit from the employer.
