UAE family Visa Guide about everything you need to know

Family Visa in Dubai: Cost, rules, requirements, and process 

Once you set up your business in Dubai or get a job there, bringing your family to this country is typical. So, if you are planning to get a family visa in Dubai for the first time, Prosper has created a comprehensive guide about Family visas in UAE. This guide will answer all the questions you have regarding this specific visa type, so continue reading and get all the details:

UAE Family Visa rules

When you sponsor a family visa, the UAE Government will consider your income. The first rule for sponsoring this family visa is that you must have a valid residency visa in the UAE. You can only sponsor your family if you have a valid residency visa. So, always check your visa status before applying.

As per changes made in the family visa sponsorship policy 2022, residents can sponsor their sons up to 25. Since 2019, male residents of the UAE have been able to sponsor their immediate family members, such as children and wives. You must have a minimum salary of AED 4000 or AED 3000 plus accommodation. 

If you are a female resident in Dubai, Dhabi, and planning to sponsor your family based on your valid work visa, your salary should be AED 5000. If you live in Dubai, your salary must be at least AED 4000 to sponsor your family. Before sponsoring any family member, you must get initial approval from the GDRFA.

As far as sponsorship of children is concerned, you can sponsor daughters until they get married. However, parents can sponsor their adult sons only at 25.

When parents issue a sponsor for their children’s visa, they don’t need to make any AED 5000 deposit. If it’s your first time getting a family visa in the UAE, the cost will be AED 100 for first-time issuance.

Understand everything about retirement visas in Dubai

If you have a green visa, you can sponsor your family members and any first-degree relative. If you have kids with disabilities, you can issue a sponsor for their visa, irrespective of their age. They can get a permanent residence with their parents.

All the family members aged 18 and above must undergo a medical fitness test. They need to get the test at UAE government-approved health centers, and screening will be made for Tuberculosis and HIV. The UAE government doesn’t allow sponsorship of a spouse in same-sex marriage.

According to a resolution approved by the UAE cabinet in January 2021, foreign students can also sponsor their families in the UAE. However, any student interested in this sponsorship must have a proper house.

Documents required for application of family visa UAE

  • Complete application form 
  • Medical clearance certificate for any family member of 18 years of age or above
  • Photocopy of the passports of the family members being sponsored
  • photographs of the family members being sponsored
  • Income proof of sponsor
  • Attested marriage certificates 
  • A copy of the sponsor’s employment or company contract
  • Residence proof
  • The most recent utility bill from DEWA.

How to apply for a UAE family visa?

Here are some steps you need to take:

1-) First, you must get an entry permit for your family from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. You can visit the authority in person, apply online, or use an app. 

Here are some other options you can use to get an entry permit:

  • ICA portal
  • TAMM website – Family Visa Abu Dhabi
  • ICP App
  • Dubai Now App

2-) You can use the GDRFA online service or Amer Center for visa stamping applications.

3-) Family members over 18 will undergo a medical test. You will apply for an Emirates ID through the FAIC.

4-) You will be required to get mandatory health insurance for your family.

5-) The next step is to obtain family members’ passports and have them stamped with the residency visa by the GDRFA. 

UAE family Visa Guide about everything you need to know

Duration of  family visa sponsorship

When you sponsor your family members, you will have a 90-day window to apply for their residency visa once they arrive in Dubai. They will get an entry permit on arrival, and the sponsor can convert this permit into a valid residence visa within 60 days. This entry permit is known as Tasheera in other emirates. You can get it online or through a typing center.

Cost of getting a family visa in UAE

The overall cost of your visa will depend on your visa type. Here are some everyday expenses you need to incur.

  • You will pay AED 269 for sponsor registration. The cost of Tasheera for wives and children outside the UAE is around AED 488, while for those inside the UAE, it is around AED 1140. The cost of Tasheera for parents inside the UAE is almost AED 490. The cost of a medical test is AED 325. 
  • AED 250 is the cost of an Emirates ID for one year, while a two-year Emirates ID costs AED 350.
  • You can obtain a UAE family visa for 1, 2, or 3 years. Regarding the renewal of a family visa, its expiry is based on the sponsor’s visa status. This means you need to pay the renewal cost after 1 year, but there is a 30-day grace period. 

If you are applying for a family visa in Dubai, you must submit your application either at the GDRFA office in Dubai or via the Amer website for reunions and extensions.

Who Can You Sponsor for a UAE Family Visa?

Male expatriates can easily sponsor their families as compared to women. A man can sponsor his wife. If you are a Muslim resident, you can sponsor more than one wife. They can sponsor their adult sons up to 25 years old. You can sponsor your daughter only if they are unmarried. 

  • You can also sponsor your parents, but you need to deposit AED 2500 for each parent’s guarantee. Besides, you need to get a medical insurance policy for your parents. The salary of a male expat should be AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 with two-bedroom accommodation.
  • You can also sponsor your stepchildren, but you need an NOC from a biological parent. This visa for stepchildren is valid for only one year, and you must renew it yearly.

Can a Woman Sponsor Her Family Members for a UAE Family Visa?

Yes, women can also sponsor family visas in the UAE. She can sponsor her husband and children. But she can do this when you earn around 10,000 or AED 8000 plus accommodation. If a woman has a husband in UAE, he needs to sponsor the children, not the woman.

Prospr can help you process your family visa quickly.

As an expat, you may need help applying for your family visa and have specific questions about this visa requirement or process. No matter what question you have, we can answer. Besides, our PRO experts are there to make the whole visa processing process as quick as you want. Send your inquiries to hello@prospr.ae

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Samad Ahmed

Samad is a tech enthusiast dedicated to delivering socially responsible, ethical, and transparent products in the MENA region. With over a decade of business experience, he continues to support the entrepreneurial community as the owner of Prospr, a company specializing in business setup services across the UAE, particularly in Dubai.

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