Family Visa UAE – Rules, Application & More

Starting a life in the UAE brings immense prosperity and endless possibilities. Whether it is starting a business here or finding employment, opportunities truly know no bounds. In fact, with expatriates making up nearly 88% of the UAE’s population, countless individuals are building a life here. But life becomes even more fulfilling when you can share it with the people who matter most, your family.

Imagine the joy of having your loved ones close while enjoying the life you have always dreamed of. The UAE government understands this, which is why it has made reuniting with family much easier. Through family visa UAE, you can bring your parents, spouse, and children to the nation easily.

If you are a foreign national currently residing in the UAE and longing to reunite with your family, this blog is for you. Together, we will explore the eligibility conditions, UAE new family sponsorship policy and step-by-step process to obtain a family visa. Let us get started!

What is a Family Visa in UAE?

A family visa UAE, also known as dependent visa, is a residence visa which allows family members of a UAE resident to stay, work and live in the UAE. Now the question arises: who can sponsor a family in the UAE? If you are a foreign national with a valid UAE residence visa, you can sponsor your dependents, like your spouse, parents, and children, and bring them to the country on a family visa. 

Depending on which family member you are sponsoring, here are the types of family visa in UAE:

• Spouse visa: Through it, husband or wife can be sponsored.
• Child visa: Allows sponsoring children including sons, daughters, newborn, and stepchildren.
• Parent visa: Lets you sponsor your parents, both mother and father.

Like any visa, family visa also needs to be renewed on time for continuing legal stay in the Emirates. The sponsor of such visa, however, must fulfil certain conditions to be able to get one which we will understand following in this blog. 

Who is Eligible for Family Visa in UAE?

To sponsor a UAE family visa for your family dependent, you must fulfil these eligibility criteria: 

• As an expat, you must hold a valid UAE residence visa. 
• The sponsor must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. 
• Male and female family members to be sponsored who are 18 years or above must pass medical fitness tests at approved healthcare centers. Medically unfit applicants will not be granted residence visa.

Family Visa Sponsorship Requirements in 2025

Here some of the UAE family visa requirements laid down by government that you must know: 

• The sponsor must be a citizen or hold a valid residence permit/visa in the UAE.
• Sponsor’s minimum salary for family visa in UAE is AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
• Sponsors who are business owners/investors must provide proof of their stable income and business license.
• Family members being sponsored who are above 18 years old need to pass medical tests.
• Once the family being sponsored enters the nation, the sponsor gets a period of 60 days to apply for their residence visa. In the case of newborns, the application can be made within 120 days of birth.
• When sponsoring parents, both must be sponsored together; you cannot sponsor only one parent. In case parents are separated or one of them is deceased, then documents supporting the same need to be submitted to sponsor the other. Additionally, the visa for parents is granted on a yearly basis irrespective of the sponsor’s visa duration.
• Sons up to 18 years old (in some cases: 25 years) can be sponsored, but for a special needs child, there are no age restrictions.
• Mothers can sponsor children only in special cases after being approved by the ICP.
• The type of profession is no longer a condition for an expat worker to qualify for sponsoring his family.
• Sponsoring family members is generally more straightforward and easier for males than for females as females may have additional requirements.

Please note that the government of UAE keeps on updating the visa requirements from time to time which is why we recommend checking their official websites for any such updates.

Who Can You Sponsor For a UAE Family Visa?

Let us look at who qualifies as ‘dependents’ that you can bring to the UAE through a family visa. Here is who you can sponsor for a family visa as a UAE resident: 

1. Sponsoring wife:  To sponsor a wife, an expatriate resident must submit an attested marriage certificate in Arabic or translated into Arabic by a certified translator. Muslim residents can also sponsor two wives upon meeting certain conditions set by the ICP. 

2. Sponsoring sons: Sons can be sponsored only if they are 25 or below. For sons with special needs, there are no age restrictions.

3. Sponsoring daughters: An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter(s) only if she is unmarried. There is no restriction on age.

4. Sponsoring newborns: Babies born in the UAE can also be sponsored for family visa UAE, and the residence visa must be applied for within 120 days of their birth to avoid fines.

5. Sponsoring stepchildren: Stepchildren can be sponsored, but certain conditions set by the GDRFA must be met, such as a deposit for each child and a written NOC from the biological parent. Their visas are valid for one year and renewable yearly.

6. Sponsoring parents: Sponsoring parents can be complex. An expatriate resident cannot sponsor only one parent; both must be sponsored together. In cases where one parent is deceased or the parents are separated, certain supporting documents may be required to sponsor one parent. Salary requirement for sponsor may be up to AED 20,000*. You also need to pay a deposit for each parent and provide medical insurance for them renewable each year.

How to Apply Family Visa in UAE?

Here is the step-by-step guide to getting a family visa UAE:

Step 1 – Gathering all the essential documents:

You must keep all the essential documents ready for both the sponsor and the family member. Having the documents prepared beforehand ensures that the process runs smoothly.

Step 2 – Applying for an entry permit for applicant:

Before the family member can travel to the UAE, you will need to obtain an entry visa that allows them to legally enter the nation’s boundaries. You can apply through:

• The GDRFA website/app or visit their licensed typing center/Amer center in person. 
• The ICP website or its app.

Step 3 – Applying for the residence visa:

Once your family member enters the UAE, you must start the application for the residence visa within 60 days of their entry. To do this, you will need to:

1. Reach out to the GDRFA of the respective Emirate or their website.
2. Submit the application form along with the required documents.
3. Pay the necessary UAE family visa fee.

As part of the residence visa process, family members also need to undergo:

1. Medical Assessments: These must be completed at an approved medical center. Documents such as a passport copy, entry permit, and passport photo are required.
2. Security Background Check: A background check is conducted to ensure there is no criminal history.
3. Obtain Their Emirates ID: Emirates ID can be obtained through designated channels. Documents such as the original passport, entry permit, and others are required.
4. Obtain Health Insurance: A health insurance policy for dependents is mandatory as per DHA rules.

Once all the above steps are completed, application will be reviewed by the government and when approved, the family visa will be granted successfully. The family visas in UAE are typically valid for 2 to 3 years, aligned with sponsors residency status.

Note: The process can be carried out by the expatriate or by his/her employer/sponsor.

Documents Required for Sponsoring Family Members

The general documents required for family visa in UAE are as follows:

• Application form (online/offline)
• Passport copies of dependents and sponsor
• Photographs of dependents
• Visa and Emirates ID of sponsor
• Medical clearance certificate for family members over age of 18
• Copy of sponsors employment contract/ company contract
• Salary certificate/bank statements of the sponsor
• Attested marriage certificate in case of sponsoring wife
• Family medical insurance
• Registered tenancy contract (or title deed) as proof of accommodation
• Birth certificate of sponsored child, attested and translated in Arabic
• Latest DEWA (utility) bills

For more personalized details on documentation of your family visa Dubai, you can consult our experts at Dubiz Business Setup.

Family Visa Renewal Process in Dubai

The family visa UAE can be valid for one, two, or three years. The visa must be renewed on time to avoid penalties. Also, remember that with the renewal of the family visa, the Emirates ID also needs to be renewed. Here are the steps to be followed for family visa renewal Dubai or UAE:

1. Reach out to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs of the respective Emirate. You can visit their authorized centers in person or can initiate the renewal process online. You can also apply through ICP’s e-channel.
2. Fill in the application form and submit it along with the necessary documents such as passports, current residency visa, medical tests, Emirates ID application, etc.
3. Pay the necessary fees. You will have to pay an application fee of AED 100, issuance fees of AED 100 for each year, and if using the e-channel, an additional service fee of AED 150 when applying through ICP. When applying through GDRFA, you can expect to pay around AED 200.
4. Submit the application by completing the fee payment.
5. Wait for approval and receive the renewed family visa.

The ICP has standardized the overstaying fees, and now if the family visa is not renewed on time, the sponsor will have to pay a fine of AED 50 for each day of overstay. Here are some tips for navigating the visa renewal process smoothly curated by our experts.

Cancellation of UAE Family Visa

In case the sponsor’s residence visa gets cancelled, the family’s visa will also be cancelled, as these two are linked. However, they will receive a grace period of 6 months to apply for a new residence permit. In case they fail to leave the country or renew the visa during this period, they may face fines.

How Much Does a Family Visa Cost in UAE?

The UAE family visa cost typically ranges between AED 3,000* to AED 7,000*. The family visa cost in Dubai and UAE can vary based on the member you are applying for and other conditions. Here is a general breakdown:

• Entry permit (inside UAE): AED 1,175
• Entry permit (outside UAE): AED 580
• Status change: AED 800
• Medical test: AED 380
• Emirates ID: AED 390
• Visa stamping: AED 510

To get more details on family visa UAE price, we advise you to contact our experts at Dubiz Business Setup.

Get Complete UAE Relocation Services from Dubiz

Visa processing in UAE is easier when you have the right guidance and assistance. Dubiz Business Setup is your reliable and trusted partner for all PRO related services. From obtaining the entry permit to residence visa sampling, our experts can handle every detail and approvals on your behalf. Family visa Dubai is not merely a legal procedure but a very important part of an expat’s journey in this beautiful nation and we ensure that it is done promptly and correctly.

Moreover, we can assist you with your entire business setup in Dubai along with family visa services in Dubai. Be it trade licensing, company registration, tax and auditing, business bank account opening, we can be your one stop service provider.

Reach out to us and tell us about your needs:

📞 Call: +971 56 369 5485

💬 WhatsApp: +971563695485

📧 Email: info@dubiz.co

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