How to sponsor a family visa in the UAE? Is a commonly asked question for residents who wish to bring their family members to live with them in the UAE. The UAE offers foreigners to sponsor their family through resident visas. Every year, a large number of foreigners move to the UAE, hence this is a key step for them to settle for the first time. The application process involves meeting certain financial criterias, submitting required documents, completing a medical health test and other conditions. If you fulfill the criteria set by the authorities, you can easily sponsor your spouse, children and parents in the UAE. To make the process easier, it is better to understand the eligibility requirements, what documents to handover and other steps of the application process. Here is a complete breakdown of how to sponsor a family visa in the UAE.
Overview of Family Sponsor Visa in UAE
Through a family sponsorship visa, foreigners can get a residence visa for their spouse, children and parents in the UAE.
- To qualify for a family sponsorship visa, you must have at least AED 4,000 income or AED 3,000 with a place to live.
- The next thing is gathering the required documents like attested marriage certificates, entry permits, lease contract and proof of health insurance.
- During the visa application process, you have to go through a medical fitness test in one of Dubai’s approved centers.
- There is also a service fee and registration of your Emirates ID.
- If you are sponsoring parents or have other special cases like sponsoring two wives or stepchildren, there are extra rules to follow in the UAE.
Eligibility Criteria to Sponsor a Family Visa in the UAE
To sponsor family members in the UAE, you need to fulfill some necessary eligibility criteria. You must have a valid residence visa and fulfill a minimum salary threshold. This means you must earn AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 with a place to stay. There is no restriction on the type of profession an expatriate must have who wants to bring their family on a residence visa. Muslim residents who wish to sponsor two wives must follow special rules of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Moreover, you must provide proof of enough money and show moral responsibility to take care of two wives. Here’s the minimum salary requirement if you want to sponsor a family through a family visa.
Minimum Salary Requirement
Understanding the minimum salary requirement for UAE’s family sponsorship visa is necessary for families who want to get sponsorship. A resident should earn at least AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 and a place to live, to be eligible to sponsor their family. This rule allows many professionals from many types of jobs to sponsor their families. Sponsors need to provide a job contract or an official salary letter, showing how much they are getting paid. The ICP, along with the directorate of residency in Dubai, make sure applicants follow these rules. In Abu Dhabi, the salary rules are different and stricter and can depend on each case. Having enough money shows that you are ready to pay for medical insurance, a place to stay and healthcare. Now, we will look at which family member you can sponsor in the UAE.
Who is Eligible for Sponsorship?
A UAE family sponsorship visa covers a few close family members. A resident sponsor can apply for their spouse and children in the UAE. This applies to both biological and adopted children. The sponsored children must fulfill the age and education requirements. A resident sponsor can also apply for the sponsorship of their parents. For this, you need to fulfill the salary requirement along with holding a valid resident visa in the UAE. The application process includes submission of all required documents, such as attested marriage and birth certificates. All family members who are applying must go through a medical fitness check and follow the rules set by the relevant authorities.
Key Documents Required for Family Sponsorship in the UAE
Another important requirement is collecting and submitting the right documents for family sponsorship applications.
- Sponsors must have attested marriage and birth certificates, tenancy contracts, and entry permits for UAE.
- If some children are over 18, they must also go through a health fitness test.
- You must have health insurance for all sponsored family members.
- You need to fill out Emirates ID forms for dependents.
If you do the process through typing centers in the UAE, your application process will go faster and more smoothly. Ensure all documents fulfill the UAE legal laws. Now, let's talk about the documents needed to sponsor your spouse and children
Paperwork Requirement for Spouse and Children
Sponsors must give certified documents when they apply for family residence visas. Make sure to gather all the documents mentioned below:
- An attested marriage certificate translated into Arabic.
- Passport copies of spouse and children.
- Recent photos of both spouse and children.
- Fitness test certificates for all dependents with age over 18 from approved health centers.
- Salary certificates, employment contracts, provided by the employer in UAE.
- Tenancy contract showing you have enough housing for sponsored dependents.
Every person applying must fill out and provide a typed or online entry permit. Completing these steps, and gathering all the right documents ensures there are no delays in the application process. For sponsorship of parents, you need to provide more things which are given below:
Additional Paperwork for Sponsoring Parents
Sponsoring your parents involves other things along with general requirements. There are several special steps you need to follow if you want to get family visas for your parents in Abu Dhabi.
- You must provide medical insurance policies which should be renewed every year and provide proof that your parents are covered for any health conditions they have.
- You must provide a health fitness certificate. You can obtain this from the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi or other approved centers.
If you are the only person who is taking care of their parents, you must provide proof of that. You also need to provide divorce papers or a death certificate if they are required. Additionally, you must pay a deposit fee for each parent when you submit documents to the immigration office. Now, let us understand a step-by-step guide to apply for a family visa in the UAE.
Application Process to Sponsor a Family Visa in UAE
Sponsoring a family visa in the UAE is simple, however, each step is important. To apply, sponsors can use the digital platform of the Federal Authority or the General Directorate of Residency in Dubai. You can also go to an AMER center or a typing center in person. You can get permits from these centers. After getting the entry permit, the next step is paying the service fee and submitting your Emirates ID. These steps are the most important part of the application process. You also need to provide a medical fitness test and finish your visa paperwork. Here is the complete step-by-step process to apply:
Step-by-Step Guide for Applying
The table below provides a complete way to handle the family sponsorship visa application if you are living in the UAE. Before starting the application process, ensure to gather necessary documents, such as proof of relationship and identification. Moreover, for those who want to stay extra time, it is vital to understand the family visit visa extension process to avoid any legal issues or overstay. Always ensure to stay updated with the latest regulations, as policies change frequently.
<table><tbody><tr><td><b>Step</b></td><td><b>Details</b></td></tr><tr><td><span>Emirates ID</span></td><td><span>Get fingerprints and other details. You get your Emirates ID after completing the medical checks.</span></td></tr><tr><td><span>Entry Permit</span></td><td><span>Send the application online or visit a typing center to get entry permit approval.</span></td></tr><tr><td><span>Medical Test</span></td><td><span>People over 18 must go through a medical fitness check for the visa.</span></td></tr><tr><td><span>Visa stamping</span></td><td><span>You will need to get the visa stamped to show your stay is complete and legal.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
Pro Tip: Always check the latest news on the Federal websites to know what steps to follow for the application. The next step is considering the Emirates ID and costs as they are also a necessary part of the sponsor visa application.
Medical Tests, Fees, and Emirates ID Process
Just like any other UAE visa, you must pay the service fee for the family sponsorship visa. There are specific charges for a medical fitness certificate and getting your Emirates ID. Here are the details:
Service Fees: you need to pay an application fee of AED 200 which changes after every year.
Medical Tests: to get the visa, you and your family must do a health fitness test at a UAE medical fitness center. The charges for this test are between AED 260-360.
Emirates ID: The cost of Emirates ID is AED 370. If you want the ID on an urgent basis, you need to pay an additional fee of AED 150 at the time of biometric registration.
UAE health centers check for diseases that can spread like TB and syphilis.
Benefits of Family Visa in the UAE
The family sponsorship visa offers several important advantages for residents who want to bring their family to live with them in the UAE:
Living Together as a Family
It allows spouses, children, and parents to legally live together in the UAE, reducing long distance separation.
Access to Quality Education
Children sponsored under a family visa can enroll in top quality institutes for education across the UAE.
Healthcare Access
Family members can get health insurance and access high-quality medical services in the UAE.
Residency and Easy Travel
Sponsored family members can enter and exit the UAE more conveniently without the need to apply for short-term visit visas.
Long-Term Stability
A family visa provides security and stability, allowing families to live together without separation and long-distance relationships.
Better Quality of Life
Living together improves emotional well-being and allows families to enjoy the safe environment, modern infrastructure and other lifestyle benefits of the UAE.
How Can Al Riyady Help?
At Al Riyady, we simplify the Family Sponsorship Visa in UAE by providing end-to-end support, from eligibility assessment and documentation preparation to application submission and follow-up. Our expert team ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience, helping you secure family sponsorship quickly while staying fully compliant with UAE regulations. We also provide Golden Visa Services, Tax Consultancy, Business Setup in UAE Mainland, Business Setup in Free Zone, Digital Marketing Compliance and more.
Final Words
In summary, to sponsor a family visa in the UAE, you must provide proof of a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 along with housing. You can sponsor your spouses, children and parents as well. You need to pay the service fee, complete the medical fitness test, get your Emirates ID and provide proof of marriage and birth certificates.
