UAE Family Visa: Sponsoring Your Loved Ones

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The UAE Family Visa allows residents and expats working in the UAE to legally bring and sponsor their immediate family members including spouses, children, and in some cases, parents. 

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, salaried employee, or investor, having your family with you in the UAE enhances your lifestyle and stability.

This visa grants:

✅ Legal residence in the UAE
✅ Access to schooling, healthcare, and banking
✅ Permission to live long-term with a sponsoring relative

Who Can Be Sponsored on a Family Visa? 

For Male Sponsors:

  • Spouse (wife)
  • Children (daughters of any age; sons up to age 25*)
  • Parents (if certain income and housing conditions are met)
  • Stepchildren (with legal documents and approvals)

For Female Sponsors:

  • Spouse and children (in certain cases, typically if working in healthcare, education, or government)
  • Requirements may differ based on emirate and salary threshold

Family Visa Types in UAE

Visa Type

Validity

Eligible Relations

Key Requirements

1-Year Family Visa

1 year

Spouse, children, parents

Typically for lower-income or temporary cases

2-Year Family Visa

2 years

Spouse, children

Most commonly issued; renewable

10-Year Golden Visa

10 years

Includes dependents

Requires sponsor to hold a Golden Visa

Family Visa UAE Eligibility Criteria (2025) 

You must meet these requirements to sponsor your family:

  • Hold a valid UAE residence visa (employment, partner, or investor)
  • Minimum salary: AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + housing)
  • Provide a registered tenancy contract (Ejari)
  • Have valid health insurance for each sponsored member
  • For sons aged 18–25: Must be studying or dependent and unmarried
  • For parents: Must sponsor both unless one is deceased, and show proof of adequate housing & income (often AED 20,000+/month)

Required Documents to Apply  

Document

Purpose

Sponsor’s Valid Passport & Visa Copy

Proof of UAE residency

Sponsored Person’s Passport & Photos

For visa issuance and ID application

Attested Marriage Certificate

Legal proof of spouse relationship

Attested Birth Certificates (children)

Proof of parent-child relationship

Tenancy Contract (Ejari)

Proof of housing accommodation

Salary Certificate / Labor Contract

Proof of sponsor’s income

Emirates ID of Sponsor

Required for GDRFA application

Health Insurance Policies (All Members)

Mandatory for visa approval

Medical Fitness Report (Adults)

For sponsored adults above 18 years

How to Apply for a Family Visa in UAE: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Prepare all the necessary personal and legal documents, including passport copies, photos, marriage/birth certificates, and tenancy contracts. Ensure documents from abroad are attested and translated into Arabic.

If your family members are outside the UAE, apply for an Entry Permit through:

  • GDRFA portal (Dubai) or
  • ICA Smart Services (other emirates)

The permit allows legal entry into the UAE for visa stamping.

Upon arrival (or if already in UAE):

  • Adults (18+) undergo a medical fitness test
  • All applicants must submit biometric data for Emirates ID (photo, fingerprints, retina scan)

Submit the visa application online or through an authorized typing center with these attached documents:

  • Medical report
  • Emirates ID registration form
  • Entry permit copy
  • All supporting documents

Once approved, residency visa is stamped (or issued digitally).

When the visa is active, Emirates ID is issued within 5–10 working days. This ID enables:

  • Opening of bank accounts
  • Health insurance registration
  • School and utility sign-ups
  • Driver’s license applications

Family Visa UAE Cost Breakdown (2025)

Service

Estimated Cost (AED)

Notes

Entry Permit

500 – 1,100

Required for new arrivals

Medical Test (Adults)

300 – 600

Required for 18+

Emirates ID (1–2 years)

370 – 1,000

Depends on duration

Residency Visa Stamping

500 – 1,200

Issued by GDRFA

Typing & Admin Charges

250 – 500

Varies by typing center

Health Insurance (annual)

600 – 1,500

Per person, depending on plan

Total (Per Person)

2,500 – 5,000

Multiply by number of family members

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting incomplete or un-attested documents
  • Not matching Arabic spellings across documents
  • Sponsoring sons above 25 without meeting special conditions
  • Delaying renewals leading to overstay fines

     

Things to Know Before You Apply

  •  Grace period: 30–60 days after visa expiry/cancellation to exit or change status
  • Visa renewal: Must be done before expiry; check Emirates ID expiration too
  • School requirements: Emirates ID and visa are needed for registration
  • Violation consequences: Overstaying or wrong data entry may result in fines or bans

Final Thoughts .

A Family Visa in the UAE allows expats to live together with their loved ones under full legal residency. From comfort and emotional support to better education and healthcare access, the benefits of sponsoring your family are life-changing.

Whether you’re new to the UAE or renewing an existing dependent visa, Menaherald handles everything from A to Z, documents, attestations, permits, and more.

 

How Can Menaherald Help You? 

We simplify the Partner Visa process with:

✔️ Personalized business setup advice
✔️ Government liaison and documentation support
✔️ Transparent cost breakdowns
✔️End-to-end visa and ID handling
✔️Family sponsorship assistance

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