Expats in Dubai can bring their spouse, children, or parents to Dubai by sponsoring a 2 year family visa for them. This is the easiest route of living together in UAE and enjoying world-class lifestyle.
As a sponsor, you must hold a residence visa yourself and earn a minimum of AED 4,000 monthly salary (or AED 3000 plus accommodation). Besides, the 2 years family visa price in Dubai will be around AED 3,000 – AED 4,000 which needs to be paid. Once you satisfy all necessary criteria, prepare the documents, secure entry permit for dependant, get medical tests done and family visa stamped.
To make family relocation to Dubai simpler for you, this guide provides the most practical breakdown of the cost of a 2 year family visa in Dubai for 2026. We have used multiple sources, including GDRFA, ICP, and other UAE authorities, to present the most realistic Emirates ID charges, medical test fees, entry permit costs, and visa stamping charges.
Find out how you can apply from outside or inside the UAE or transfer a current visa to a family visa along with grace periods, overstay fines, and application procedure.
Meaning and types of a 2 year family visa in Dubai
A 2 year family visa in Dubai is a residence visa specially meant for family members of an expat who holds a valid UAE residence visa. The sponsored wife, child, or parent can then live in Dubai for up to 2 years legally and get access to various educational and healthcare services.
Based on who you are getting it for, here are the common types of 2 year family visas in Dubai:
- Spouse visa: An attested marriage certificate would be needed to prove the marital status, along with prescribed salary.
- Child visa: Sons (up to 25 years), unmarried daughters, and even stepchildren can be sponsored. Attested birth certificate is required.
- Parents visa: Make your parents stay with you in the UAE through a 2 year family visa. Usually sponsored together.
Note: 2 years family visa price in Dubai may vary based on type you are applying for.
Salary requirement for a 2 year family visa in Dubai
Before looking at the price itself, ensure that you have the minimum monthly salary to be eligible for getting a 2 year family visa in Dubai.
| Sponsored Dependant | Salary and Accommodation Requirement |
|---|---|
| Spouse or Children |
AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation |
| Parents |
AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 + 2-bedroom apartment |
Do not have enough salary? These are the alternatives:
- Combine multiple sources of income: Along with your fixed salary, you can submit bank statements that show additional income. It can be freelancing, part-time job, projects.
- Business income: If you are a business investor in UAE, you can show regular cashflows and income that you generate through it. You must have authorised trade license.
- Freelance visa: Those working as a freelancer in free zones such as twofour24, Dubai Media City, IFZA, can show their project and contract earnings.
- Co-sponsorship: A local UAE national or expat can co-sponsor your family’s visa after signing a contract and financial guarantee. Its uncommon way though.
The price of 2 year family visa in Dubai – accurate breakdown
Price of a 2 year family visa in Dubai starts from AED 3000 – AED 4,000*. If you are an investor in UAE sponsoring family, then you will also have to put AED 3,000 as refundable deposit.
Highlighting all the necessary visa costs which most guides miss, here is a breakdown of the family visa Dubai total cost including Emirates ID and medical:
| Cost Element (Per Sponsored Person) | Fees |
|---|---|
| Entry Permit (Inside UAE) | AED 1,175 |
| Entry Permit (Outside UAE) | AED 580 |
| Status Change (Only Inside UAE) | AED 675 |
| Medical Test | AED 380 |
| Emirates ID | AED 390 |
| Health Insurance | AED 800 (Approx.) |
| Document Attestation | AED 400 |
| Visa Stamping | AED 510 |
| Total Dubai Family Visa Package Price (Including Emirates ID & Medical) | AED 3,000 – AED 4,000+ |
*The above 2 years family visa Dubai cost is updated every month. Still, changes may apply. It is recommended to seek guidance from professional consultants for accurate costing.
Explanation of cost elements in 2 year family visa price Dubai
The 2 year family visa cost in Dubai for each family member consists of various government charges, service fees, and third-party costs. Here are the general expenses per person:
Sponsor file registration (first-time sponsors)
When a UAE resident applies for a family visa for the first time, they need to open sponsorship file with GDRFA. It is like one-time registration. All future family sponsorships will be carried out under the same file. GDRFA has established a fee of AED 200 plus 5% VAT for opening a file.
Entry permit fees:
Entry permit allows the sponsored family member to enter and stay in UAE and complete the residence visa formalities. The fees will vary based on whether the application is being made from inside or outside the country.
Status change fee:
Status change is applicable when the sponsored family member is already inside the UAE on some other visa such as a tourist visa. The fee is paid to cancel existing visa and switch to family visa.
Medical test charges:
DHA determined health check-up fee for each applicant conducted to ensure that applicant is fit to reside in the UAE.
Emirates ID cost:
Getting the national identity card, known as Emirates ID, is another principal element of 2 years family visa price in Dubai.
Visa stamping fees:
Fees for getting the residence visa stamped in applicant’s passport which grants them residency officially.
Health insurance cost:
Getting a medical insurance coverage is essential for each visa applicant. Premium policies will cost more.
Typing service fees:
There may be costs associated with getting typing services.
Document attestation fees:
Getting the essential documents like marriage and birth certificates attested for legal purposes involves certain fee.
Factors influencing the cost of 2 year family visa in Dubai
Cost for a 2 year family visa in Dubai may differ for you based on:
- Location of the applicant: Costs vary depending on whether the applicant is inside or outside the UAE.
- Renewal vs. new visa: Renewing an existing family visa may have different fees compared to applying for a new one.
- Processing time: If you choose express services, additional charges will apply.
- Health insurance plan: Various health coverage options are available. The cost will depend on whether you opt for basic, premium, or other plans.
- Document attestation required: If your documents need to be translated or attested, extra charges will be applicable.
- Number of dependents: The total visa cost will also depend on how many dependents you are sponsoring.
The process of 2 year family visa application
A 2 year family visa in Dubai is processed through GDRFA. But in the process, the medical tests are conducted by DHA-approved healthcare facilities, and the Emirates ID is issued by the ICP. The sponsor themselves applies for the 2 year family visa Dubai. Even if a PRO company in UAE assists you, you still must be actively involved. The sponsored dependant will have to be physically present in Dubai to complete residence visa procedures.
Here is the quick overview of the process:
| S.no | Step | Inside UAE | Outside UAE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Document Preparation Gather the applicant’s passport copies, sponsor’s documents, proof of accommodation, marriage or birth certificates, and complete document attestation. |
✓ | ✓ |
| 2 |
Entry Permit Application Apply for the UAE entry permit where required before proceeding with the residence visa process. |
✓ | ✓ |
| 3 |
Visa Status Adjustment Applicants already inside the UAE must complete a status change without exiting the country. |
✓ | ✗ |
| 4 |
Medical Assessment Complete the mandatory medical fitness test, including blood tests and a chest X-ray. |
✓ | ✓ |
| 5 |
Background Verification Authorities conduct security and background checks on the applicant. |
✓ | ✓ |
| 6 |
Health Insurance Obtain valid UAE health insurance where required by the relevant emirate. |
✓ | ✓ |
| 7 |
Emirates ID Application Apply for the Emirates ID after completing the required visa formalities. |
✓ | ✓ |
| 8 |
Family Visa Issuance Once all requirements are met, the family residence visa is approved and stamped or issued digitally. |
✓ | ✓ |
Realistic processing timeline to get a Dubai 2 year family visa
The processing time for a 2 year family visa in UAE is around 7 to 14 days. The time may vary depending on document approval and other factors.
The processing time for the various steps is as follows:
- Entry permit: Takes around 2 to 5 days
- Medical assessment and Emirates ID: Takes around 3 to 5 days
- Visa stamping: Takes around 3 to 5 days
Validity and renewal of a 2 year family visa in Dubai
The validity of a 2 year family visa is 24 months, after which you will need to renew it. To be on the safer side, you must initiate the renewal process at least one month prior to the expiry date. Also, at the time of renewal, you will have to go through medical tests again, renew the Emirates ID, get the new visa stamped, and pay the renewal fees.
The bottom line
Those who are working hard in Dubai, whether through their business setup in Dubai or employment, would love to have their family alongside them.
Understanding the 2 year family visa price helps them:
- Better plan the budget
- Ensure all fees are paid accurately
- Avoid unexpected delays during the application process
How Dubiz Business Setup can help?
Dubiz Business Setup is a trusted company formation and immigration expert based in Dubai. Having helped more than 7000+ entrepreneurs, we offer business setup, PRO, and family visa Dubai processing services for investors’ family.
Having our family visa consultants in Dubai by your side throughout the process makes things faster, more accurate, and less costly. At Dubiz, we aim to make the process of moving to Dubai easier for expats and their dependants so they can start their new life quickly. Documentation, attestation, GDRFA-liaison, medicals – get support through and through with fully transparent price sheets.
Please feel free to reach out to us to find out the cheapest family visa Dubai for your dependants:
📞 Call: +971 56 369 5485
💬 WhatsApp: +971563695485
📧 Email: info@dubiz.co
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How much salary is required to sponsor a family member in Dubai?
To sponsor a family member in Dubai, you must be earning AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. For sponsoring parents, the requirement is AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom apartment.
Q2. How much is the Dubai wife visa fees for 2 years?
Sponsored wife visa Dubai cost in UAE can range between AED 3,000 to AED 4,000+, subject to variation based on document completeness and other factors.
Q3. What are the requirements for sponsoring family in UAE?
The sponsor must meet the minimum salary and housing requirements and must hold a valid residence visa in order to sponsor family members in the UAE.
Q4. Is there an option for family visa Dubai with business owner visa?
Yes. Dubiz Business Setup will assist you secure both business visa and family visa in Dubai, supporting complete relocation to UAE.
Q5. How much does a 2-year family visa cost in Dubai?
The cost of a 2-year family visa in Dubai generally ranges from AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 per person. The final amount depends on factors such as the applicant’s nationality, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, health insurance, and visa processing fees.
