UAE Family Visa

As an expatriate holding a residence visa in the UAE, you have the privilege to sponsor your dependents for a UAE family visa, allowing them to join you. However, eligibility to sponsor dependents is subject to fulfilling specific criteria. This ensures that only those meeting the necessary requirements can extend their residency benefits to their family members. As an expatriate holding a residence visa in the UAE, you have the privilege to sponsor your dependents for a UAE family visa, allowing them to join you. However, eligibility to sponsor dependents is subject to fulfilling specific criteria. This ensures that only those meeting the necessary requirements can extend their residency benefits to their family members.

What are the eligibility criteria for sponsoring a family visa in the UAE?

To sponsor family members for a UAE Family Visa, applicants need to meet specific requirements:

• Male expatriates require a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation.
• Female expatriates must earn at least AED 10,000 a month, or AED 8,000 with accommodation.

Additionally, dependents over 18 must pass a medical test for HIV and tuberculosis at a designated health centre in the UAE. The UAE does not recognise same-sex marriages, affecting eligibility for spousal sponsorship.

Which occupations qualify for family visa sponsorship in the UAE?

In the UAE, the government sets income and job stability requirements rather than strictly limiting eligibility for family visa sponsorship. However, certain professions are viewed more favourably due to their perceived stability and income levels. Typically, these include:

• Doctors, Engineers, and Healthcare Professionals
• Teachers and academics
• IT Specialists
• Managers and administrative professionals
• Engineers in various fields
• Financial and accounting professionals

The key factor for eligibility is often the sponsor's ability to meet the minimum salary requirement and provide adequate accommodation for their family members.

Who is eligible for sponsorship under a UAE Family Visa?

Male expatriates with a UAE residence visa can sponsor their families more easily than females. Eligible relatives include:

• Wife: Muslim residents may sponsor up to two wives, following GDRFA conditions.
• Sons: Under 18 are eligible; over 18 can be sponsored until 21 if they are students visiting the UAE bi-annually.
• Daughters can be sponsored regardless of age if they are unmarried.
• Parents: Sponsorship requires a deposit of AED 2,500 per parent, medical insurance, and the sponsor's monthly income of AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 with two-bedroom accommodation.
• Stepchildren: They can be sponsored with a one-year renewable visa and a No Objection Certificate from the biological parent.

Learn How to process Marriage Certificate Attestation?

Is a woman eligible to sponsor her family members for a family visa in the UAE?

Indeed, a woman can sponsor her family for a UAE visa, though the requirements for female sponsors are more stringent than those for males.

1. She must have a monthly income of at least AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 with provided accommodation.
2. Her employment should be within certain professions, such as engineering, teaching, or the medical field (including roles like doctor or nurse).
3. With special approval from the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (DRND), a woman earning a sufficient monthly salary may be eligible to sponsor her family even if she is not working in the specified professions.
4. If her husband is eligible to sponsor the children, the sponsorship responsibility defaults to him, and she cannot sponsor them instead.

Which documents must be submitted to obtain a family visa in the UAE?

To apply for a UAE Family Visa, the following documents are required:

• A completed UAE Visa Application Form, available online or via a registered typing centre
• Photocopies of the passports of the family members being sponsored
• Passport-size photographs of the family members being sponsored
• A medical clearance certificate for any family member aged 18 and above
• A copy of the sponsor's employment or company contract
• Documentation verifying the sponsor's monthly income
• Attested marriage certificates
• Evidence of UAE residency, like a registered tenancy agreement
• The most recent utility bill from DEWA.

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How do I apply for a UAE family visa?

To apply for a UAE Family Visa in Dubai, follow this streamlined process to sponsor your family members:

Step 1: Secure an Entry Permit

Obtain an entry permit for your family through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai via their website, mobile app, or in person at Amer centers. Alternatively, use the ICA’s eChannel portal or its apps.

Step 2: Visa Stamping

Once in Dubai with the entry permit, apply for visa stamping at the GDRFA through their online services, app, or at an Amer centre.

Step 3: Medical and Emirates ID

Family members over the age of 18 need a medical test in Dubai. Apply for their Emirates ID through the FAIC.

Step 4: Health Insurance

Obtain mandatory health insurance for your family in Dubai.

Step 5: Residency Stamp

Have your family members’ passports stamped with the residency visa by the GDRFA.

This concise guide covers the essential steps for efficiently securing a family visa in Dubai, ensuring your family can join you with minimal hassle.

What is GDRFA Dubai?

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai is a government agency responsible for managing the entry and residency of foreigners in Dubai, UAE. It handles services such as visa issuance, renewals, residency permits, and border control, ensuring compliance with the country’s immigration policies.

What are the expenses associated with obtaining a family visa in Dubai?

The cost of obtaining a UAE family visa varies based on the visa type and associated service fees, outlined as follows:

1. Sponsor registration file: AED 268.9
2. Tasheera for wives and children outside the UAE: AED 488.9
3. Tasheera for wives and children inside the UAE: AED 1,138.90
4. Tasheera for parents inside the UAE: AED 488.9
5. Normal medical test: AED 322.5
6. Emirates ID costs vary by validity period: AED 250 for 1 year, AED 350 for 2 years, and AED 450 for 3 years.
7. Transfer of a new residence to a passport: AED 259.9

A UAE family visa may be issued for 1, 2, and 3 years and requires renewal before it expires. The visa's validity is linked to the sponsor's visa status, with family visas expiring if the sponsor's visa does. However, a 30-day grace period for renewal is provided. In Dubai, expatriates must meet the same sponsorship requirements, and family visa applications can be submitted at the GDRFA office in Dubai or via the Amer website for reunions and extensions.

At Benchmark Attestation Services, we can help you through this entire process hassle-free! With our family visa renewal services in Dubai, you’ll be able to sponsor your loved ones without any trouble.

Get in touch now for our visa services in Dubai! Call our landline at +971 4 396 1284 or our hotline at +971 50 474 1340.