Family residence visas
UAE residents can sponsor their spouse and children once their own residence visa is issued.
Who you can sponsor
- Your spouse
- Your children, subject to age and marital status rules for sons and daughters
- Parents, under separate conditions
- Domestic workers, under separate rules
Requirements
- A valid UAE residence visa for the sponsor
- Minimum income, commonly AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 with accommodation provided (check current rules)
- A registered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) for most applications
- An attested marriage certificate for a spouse
- Attested birth certificates for children
- Passport copies and photographs
- Health insurance for each dependant in Dubai
Process
- Attest documents from the home country. See Document attestation.
- Apply for entry permits or change of status.
- Medical tests for dependants aged 18 and over.
- Biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Residence visas issued.
Common questions
How long do family visas take?
Usually one to three weeks once attested documents are ready. Attestation abroad is often the slowest step.
Official sources
We check our guidance against these official sources. Always confirm current fees and rules before acting.