UAE Family Visa: How to Get UAE Sponsor Visa for Your Family?

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated February 2025

Key takeaways:

• The UAE family visa allows residents to sponsor spouses, children, and parents, with salary requirements varying by emirate and applicant type.

• A six-month grace period applies after visa expiry, allowing time for renewal or exit without fines.

• Medical fitness tests are mandatory for applicants aged 18 and above.

UAE family visa rules & conditions

The family residence visa is a long-term visa that can be issued to travelers who want to live with their relatives or family members in the UAE for longer. Recently, the UAE government has also promoted its friend or relative visa, offering single/multiple entries, 30-90-day stays, and 60-day entry validity, with extensions available.

The visa holder must be a friend or relative of a UAE citizen or a first/second-degree foreign resident holding a first or second-level classified job. Eligibility requires a 6-month valid passport, travel ticket, health insurance, and a UAE citizen or a job. This service aims to reunite families and enhance the quality of life of people living in the UAE.

Some conditions to tick off before applying:

• The family member has to already be in the UAE and possess a valid residence permit/visa.
• The type of profession is no longer a condition for an expatriate worker to be able to sponsor his family visas.
• Resident sponsors get 60 days to apply for their dependents’ residence visas after they enter the UAE.
• The resident must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
• To obtain your family visa in UAE, all family members aged 18+ should undergo a medical fitness test at government-approved health centers in the UAE, as people who are proven medically unfit after having a medical test will not be granted a residence visa.
• Residents who are detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are considered medically fit and are granted a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’ subject to treatment and follow-up by the respective health authority.

Please note that the conditions may change from time to time. For the latest updates, check with Dubai GDRFA or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

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General requirements

The following are the general documents required to apply for the UAE family visa or UAE sponsor visa:

• Original passport.
• Two passport-sized photographs, following UAE visa photo criteria.
• The entry permit.
• Salary certificates from the sponsor’s employer.
• Documents such as birth/marriage certificates.
• Extra document related to your travel purpose.

Please note that family members’ residence visas are linked to the sponsor’s visa. If the husband or father (or wife or mother) loses the visa, the dependents’ sponsorship should also be canceled.

Salary requirements

The minimum salary required to sponsor family members to apply for a UAE family visa or UAE sponsor visa depends on the type and category of the sponsor:

• Male residents who are employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as their wives and children, provided they have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 (USD 1,089.07) or AED 3,000 (USD 816.8) plus accommodation.
• In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating that she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse, or any other profession related to the medical sector and if her monthly salary is not less than AED 10,000 (USD 2,722.67) or AED 8,000 (USD 2,178.14) plus accommodation.
• In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in one of these categories, she may still get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than AED 10,000 (USD 2,722.67) and with special permission from the DNRD.
• Moreover, UAE ex-pats who want to sponsor five family members must have a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000 (USD 2,722.67). Similarly, those who want to sponsor six family members must have a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 (USD 4,356,27).

The director-general will review applications of ex-pats who wish to bring in more than six relatives.

UAE family visa sponsorship rules & requirements

Sponsoring parents

Expatriate residents, both employers and employees, may sponsor their families in the UAE, provided they have a valid residency permit. Additionally, an expatriate employee can sponsor their parents for a year’s stay by paying a deposit as a guarantee for each parent as stipulated by the respective immigration department.

It is also important to note that the expatriate must sponsor both of their parents and include proof that their parents rely solely on them. If one of the parents has passed away or is divorced, official documents will be required to justify why they only sponsor one of the parents.

Please note that golden visa holders can sponsor their parents on 10-year visas. Previously, the long-term residency scheme beneficiaries could sponsor parents for one year, as with regular residency holders.

Sponsoring children and wife

Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as their wives and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of AED 4,000 (USD 1,089.07) or AED 3,000 (USD 816.80) plus accommodation.

Please note that if a father is residing in the UAE and can sponsor his children, then the mother is not allowed to sponsor them.

• Sponsoring wife

The resident sponsor needs to submit an authenticated marriage certificate to sponsor their wives. The certificate must be duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator.

• Sponsoring two wives

In strict cases, Muslim residents may be allowed to sponsor their two wives if they meet certain terms and conditions set by the respective GDRFA.

• Sponsoring daughters

Residents can sponsor their daughters only if they are unmarried without age restrictions.

• Sponsoring sons

A resident can sponsor his son/s up to the age of 25. There is no age restriction for sons of determination (those with special needs).

• Sponsoring newborns

To avoid being fined, a residence visa must be applied for within 120 days of birth for babies born in the UAE.

• Sponsoring stepchildren

An expatriate resident can also sponsor his stepchildren, subject to GDRFA’s conditions, which include a deposit for each child and a written no-objection certificate from the biological parent. Their residence visas are valid for one year and can be renewed annually.

Documents required to sponsor wife and children

The following are the documents required to sponsor wife and children to apply for the UAE family visa or UAE sponsor visa:

• UAE visa application form.
• Passport copies of the wife and children.
• Photos of the wife and children.
• Medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18.
• copy of the husband’s employment contract or company contract.
• Salary certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary.
• Legalized marriage certificate.
• Registered tenancy contract.

Please note that some additional documents might be required depending on the category of people you want to sponsor. Make sure to consult your significant Embassy for more information.

Woman sponsoring her family

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating that she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse, or any other profession related to the medical sector and if her monthly salary is not less than AED 10,000 (USD 2,722.67) or AED 8,000 (USD 2,178.14) plus accommodation. She needs to provide additional documents as stipulated by the respective authority.

In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in one of these categories, she may still get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than AED 10,000 (USD 2,722,67) and with special permission from the DNRD.

Furthermore, a single mother can sponsor her child. The authorities might ask for documents similar to those required to sponsor stepchildren.

How to apply for the UAE family visa or sponsor visa?

Before applying for a UAE family residence visa, the expatriate employer or employee sponsoring the visa must apply for an entry permit to allow them in the UAE in the first place. You can apply for your family members’ entry permit at one of the following:

Applying for a UAE entry permit

The UAE entry permits can be applied for online using these online and offline channels:

• The eChannels portal is where individuals and companies registered in the UAE can apply for a new visa or visa renewal.
• The GDRFA- Dubai website, or through the  Amer.ae website.
• The mobile apps:
  • The ICA UAE eChannels for Apple and Android.
  • The GDRFA Dubai app for Apple and Android.
• Typing centers where the visa application is typed and processed through the GDRFA of the respective emirate
•  Amer centers in Dubai where all entry permit and visa transactions must be carried out

Application process

The UAE family visa is a type of residence visa, and it has to be submitted on behalf of your family members after they have entered the United Arab Emirates on an entry permit. You can apply online or submit the family visa application at the offices of the relevant emirate’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Digital channels (website/smart application):

1. Log in to the smart services system through (UAE Pass or username).
2. Search for the service to be applied for.
3. Fill in the application data, where applicable.
4. Pay the service fee (if any).

GDRFA Happiness Centers:

1. Visit the nearest Customer Happiness Centre.
2. Get the automated turn ticket and wait.
3. Submitting the application that fulfills all conditions and documents (if any) to the customer service employee.
4. Pay the service fee (if any).

Amer Service Centre:

1. Visit the nearest Amer Service Centre.
2. Get the automated turn ticket and wait.
3. Submitting the application that fulfills all conditions and documents (if any) to the customer service employee.
4. Pay the service fee (if any).

In case there are no missing documents in the application, the customer will be notified of the approval and the approved application will be sent by e-mail.

Processing time

The average processing time for a UAE family visa or sponsor visa is 15 to 17 days.

Please note that processing the UAE family visa application might take longer than expected due to immigration and weekends (Friday and Saturday) in Dubai.

Validity

The duration of a UAE family residence visa or sponsor visa depends on the sponsor type and the person sponsored. It is issued for one, two, or three years. The visa is renewed subject to conditions similar to those of fresh visas.

Please note that the family members’ residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring expatriate employee. If the sponsoring family member’s visa is cancelled, the visas of the dependents must also be canceled.

The grace period after an expat’s residence visa expires or is canceled in the UAE has been extended from 30 days to 6 months. Therefore, expats have 6 months to either amend their status and get another residence visa or leave the country. Fines do not apply during the grace period.

However, the UAE has now launched a reentry permit that allows residents staying outside the UAE for over 6 months to reenter the country by applying for a reentry permit. The reentry permit will allow UAE residents staying outside the UAE for over six months to reenter the Emirate within 30 days from the permit’s approval date.

Hence, with the Dubai and UAE reentry permit, residents can now stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months without getting their residency canceled.

How to renew my UAE family visa or UAE sponsor visa?

As announced by the ICP, the grace period after a residence visa expires or is canceled in the UAE for expats has been extended from 30 days to 6 months. Dependents are now granted a six-month grace period from their visa expiry date or cancellation to obtain a new residence permit. 

Therefore, expats now have 6 months to either amend their status and get another residence visa or leave the country. Fines do not apply during the grace period. However, if the employee fails to renew the visa of his dependents within the grace period or before that, the dependents will be deemed illegal residents. They could be liable to pay a fine.

Application process

You can renew your UAE family visa from the GDRFA – Dubai website by selecting the relevant service and submitting the documents required to process the renewal. The basic requirements for renewing a UAE family residence visa are:

• A sponsor with a valid residency permit.
• Passing a medical fitness test for those above 18.
• Insurance card (mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi).
• A renewed identity card issued from ICA or an original receipt you registered with ICA to get a renewal.

Please note that as per the UAE immigration’s fines system, the penalty to stay on after the expiration of the grace period is:

• AED 25 (USD 6.81) per day during the first 6 months (180 days).
• AED 50 (USD 13.61) per day during the second 6 months (180 days).
• AED 100 (USD 27.23) per day after passing a year and more.

Obtaining an exit permit before leaving the country will also cost extra. The details of overstay fines are in the article below.

Documents required

The documents required to apply for a renewal of the UAE family visa or UAE sponsor visa depend on the category of the sponsor:

General documents required

• Online application or application through a registered typing office for renewal of residency permit signed by the sponsor, whether public sector, private sector company, or personal sponsor.
• Original passport of the sponsored.
• Photo of the sponsored.

Additional documents required

For employers working in the private sector, the sponsoring company must submit the following additional documents:

• A copy of a valid firm card.
• A copy of a valid trade license.
• A copy of the renewed labor card of the sponsored.
• A copy of the labor card renewal receipt for those sixty (60) years and above.

Those sponsoring their families, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings (relatives of the first and second degree) must present the following:

• A copy of the husband’s/wife’s employment contract or company contract for investors.
• A salary certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary.
• A legalized marriage certificate.
• A registered tenancy contract.
• Latest utility bill.

How to cancel my UAE family visa or UAE sponsor visa?

You can cancel the UAE family visa or UAE sponsor visa in the following two ways:

Online application

• Visit the GDRFA Dubai portal or download the GDRFA-Dubai application.
• Select the required service.
• Attach the required documents, including:
  • cancellation form signed by the sponsor.
  • the original passport of the sponsored.
  • original identity card of the sponsored.
• Pay the fees due for the service. According to the GDRFA website, the price for his service is AED 50 (The urgent service fee is AED 100, the Innovation fee is AED 10, and the Printing fee is AED 100 (in case of submission through ZAJEL Courier Center)
• Submit the request.

Offline application

• Head to one of AMER service centers.
• Select the required service at the reception.
• Submit the required documents to the service employee.
• Pay the fees due for the service.
• Submit the application.

Please note that the applicant will receive a text message and an email with the status of their application.

If documents are missing from the application, the applicant will be notified that they must be attached within 30 days. If the missing documents are not attached, the application will be canceled. In case no documents are missing, the applicant will be notified of the approval, and the approved application will be sent via e-mail.