How to Sponsor Your Spouse, Children and Parents for UAE Residency
The UAE Family Sponsorship Visa allows residents to sponsor their spouse, children and, in specific circumstances, parents to live legally in the United Arab Emirates. It is the primary route for family reunification and long-term family living arrangements for expatriates.
This comprehensive guide explains:
- Who can sponsor family members in the UAE
- Who can be sponsored (spouse, children, parents)
- Salary and accommodation requirements
- Required documents and attestation rules
- Step-by-step application process
- Visa validity, renewals and cancellations
- Health insurance and schooling rules
- Common mistakes and reasons for rejection
Primary Calls to Action
- Check your eligibility in the Expat Planning Portal
- Book a consultation regarding UAE family sponsorship
Common questions about the UAE Family Sponsorship Visa
Who can I sponsor?
You may typically sponsor a spouse, children and sometimes parents.
What salary do I need?
Minimum salary thresholds apply and vary by emirate and time.
Is employer approval required?
Employer NOC is not always required, but valid residency and income proof are.
Do dependants need health insurance?
Yes, health insurance is required in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and widely expected elsewhere.
How long does the visa last?
Family visas usually last 1–2 years, or match the sponsor’s Golden/Green Visa term.
What is the UAE Family Sponsorship Visa?
The UAE Family Sponsorship Visa allows a qualifying resident to sponsor immediate family members to live legally in the UAE. Sponsored dependants gain:
- Legal residency
- Emirates ID cards
- Access to healthcare and education
- The right to reside while the sponsor remains eligible
The UAE Family Sponsorship Visa allows residents to sponsor their spouse, children, and in some cases parents, to live legally in the UAE, subject to income, housing and insurance requirements.
Who can act as the sponsor?
A UAE resident may sponsor family members if they meet eligibility requirements.
Sponsors include:
- Expatriate employees
- Business owners and company partners
- Golden Visa holders
- Green Visa holders
- Some freelancers and remote workers
Sponsors must typically demonstrate:
- Valid UAE residence visa
- Minimum income level
- Suitable accommodation
- Valid health insurance for dependants
Who can be sponsored?
Spouse
- Must have an attested marriage certificate
- Must meet income and housing requirements
- Must hold valid health insurance
- Must comply with residency medical rules where applicable
Children
Eligibility depends on age and gender.
- Daughters are usually sponsorable while unmarried
- Sons are sponsorable to a maximum age unless studying
- Children with disabilities may have special provisions
- Birth certificates must be attested
Parents
Parent sponsorship has stricter requirements.
- Higher salary thresholds may apply
- Full medical insurance is generally required
- Sponsoring both parents together is often required
- Proof of dependency may be necessary
Minimum salary and financial requirements
Requirements vary by emirate, but sponsors usually need to show:
- Minimum income threshold
- Suitable accommodation
- Employment or business proof
- Ability to financially support dependants
To sponsor family in the UAE, you must hold valid residency, meet minimum salary thresholds, have suitable accommodation, and provide attested relationship documents and health insurance.
Housing requirements
Sponsors generally must provide:
- Registered tenancy contract (Ejari/Tawtheeq) or
- Property title deed
Housing requirements typically include:
- Property must be in the sponsor’s name
- Contract must be valid
- Accommodation must be suitable for family size
Health insurance requirements
- Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Other emirates increasingly require insurance as well
- All dependants must be insured for visa issuance and renewal
Required documents for sponsoring family
Sponsor documentation
- Passport copy
- Valid residence visa copy
- Emirates ID
- Salary certificate or labour contract
- Bank statements (where required)
- Tenancy contract or property deed
Spouse and children documentation
- Passport copies of dependants
- Passport-size photographs
- Attested marriage certificate
- Attested birth certificates for children
- Previous visas or cancellations if applicable
Parent sponsorship documentation
- Proof of relationship
- Dependency proof letter
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Income evidence meeting higher thresholds
All foreign-issued documents generally require:
- Attestation
- Legal translation where needed
Step-by-step UAE Family Visa process
Step 1 — Confirm sponsor eligibility
- Confirm minimum salary requirements are met
- Confirm valid residency and job/business proof
- Confirm suitable housing exists
Step 2 — Prepare documents
- Gather all attested certificates
- Ensure names match across documents
- Ensure passports feature 6+ months validity
Step 3 — Apply for entry permit
- Apply while family is outside UAE
- Or perform status change inside UAE
Step 4 — Complete medical examination
- Adult dependants typically undergo medical test
- Communicable disease screening is standard
Step 5 — Complete Emirates ID biometrics
- Fingerprinting is completed
- Biometric data is captured
Step 6 — Activate health insurance
- Insurance must be compliant
- Insurance must cover the full visa duration
Step 7 — Visa stamping / issuance
- Residence visa is issued
- Emirates ID cards are delivered
Validity of family visas
- Most visas are valid 1–2 years
- Golden and Green Visa dependants may match sponsor validity
- Some parent visas are typically one year renewable
Renewal of family visas
To renew, sponsors must:
- Maintain eligibility and salary threshold
- Renew tenancy contract or property documents
- Renew dependent health insurance
- Complete medical exam where required
Cancellation of family visas
Dependants must be cancelled if:
- Sponsor leaves UAE permanently
- Sponsor’s visa is cancelled or not renewed
- Divorce or family status changes
- Dependants leave UAE permanently
Grace periods after cancellation are commonly 30–180 days depending on rules.
Family sponsorship for female sponsors
Women may sponsor dependants subject to:
- Higher salary thresholds in some emirates
- Qualifying profession in some cases
- Valid tenancy contract
- Valid residence permit
Regulations are increasingly being equalised.
Schooling and education for sponsored children
Children on family visas may:
- Enrol in private or public schools
- Attend nurseries or early learning centres
- Access diverse international curricula
Schools typically require:
- Emirates ID
- Residence visa
- Vaccination records
Family sponsorship under Golden/Green Visa
Golden and Green Visa holders often benefit from:
- Longer dependant visa validity
- Broader eligibility for dependant sponsorship
- Increased flexibility around sponsor absence
Costs of UAE Family Sponsorship Visa
Costs vary depending on:
- Emirate of application
- Inside or outside country status change
- Number of dependants
- Insurance premium and medical test
Typical cost components include:
- Entry permit
- Status change
- Visa issuance
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID
- Insurance
- Service fees
UAE family visa costs typically range from AED 2,000 to AED 6,000 per dependant, excluding health insurance, depending on emirate and application route.
Processing time
Typical timeframes are:
- Entry permit: 1–2 weeks
- Medical and biometrics: 1–2 weeks
- Visa issuance and Emirates ID: 1–2 weeks
Total typical timeframe: 2–6 weeks.
Common reasons for rejection
Rejections often occur due to:
- Unattested or invalid documents
- Insufficient salary or housing
- Name mismatches
- Missing insurance
- Previous overstay or visa violations
Most cases may be resolved by re-submission after correction.
Overstaying penalties
Overstaying may result in:
- Daily fines
- Immigration penalties
- Travel restrictions
- Difficulty receiving future visas
Dependants should be renewed or cancelled promptly.
Living in the UAE with your family
Families benefit from:
- High safety and quality of life
- Modern infrastructure
- International schooling options
- Premium healthcare
- Strong expatriate communities
Popular family areas include:
- Dubai Hills
- Arabian Ranches
- Mirdif
- Yas Island and Saadiyat Island
- Sharjah suburban communities
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I sponsor siblings?
No, siblings are generally not eligible under standard family sponsorship.
Can dependants work?
Yes, if they obtain their own work permit.
Can children stay after dependent age limit?
Yes, in some cases for higher education under specific rules.
Do dependants receive Emirates IDs?
Yes, each dependant receives their own Emirates ID.
How we help families relocate to the UAE
We assist with:
- Eligibility assessments
- Documentation checklists
- Licensed visa service partner introductions
- Relocation logistics
- Financial and residency planning guidance
Calls to action
- Start your family relocation plan in the Expat Planning Portal
- Request assistance for your situation
Legal notice
This guide provides general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Rules vary by emirate and change regularly. Always confirm details with official UAE authorities or licensed immigration providers.