Family Visa in UAE

Requirements for Sponsoring a Family Resident Visa

For foreign citizens holding a residence visa in the UAE, bringing your family along through a UAE family visa is possible. However, not everyone can sponsor their dependents. Specific requirements must be met to obtain a family visa in the UAE.

UAE laws allow expatriate residents to sponsor their family members, but this sponsorship is only permissible if the expatriate holds a legal residency permit. Regarding expatriate male residents in the UAE, they are authorized to sponsor their immediate family members, such as spouses and children, based on a minimum income requirement of AED 4000.

Before March 2019, only expatriate employees within certain job categories could sponsor family members. However, after an amendment to the law, employees across all job categories can now apply for a family visa, provided they meet the specific minimum income requirement. For more information, please contact us.

Mothers can sponsor their children if the father is unavailable or ineligible to sponsor. However, if the father is available, resides in the Emirates, and satisfies the sponsorship criteria, the mother's eligibility to sponsor may be limited. The application window for the residence visa is 60 days. The sponsoring individual must complete the formalities within this period after the dependent's entry into the UAE.

The duration of the visa for the sponsor's family members can vary based on several factors related to the sponsor, including their profession, labor contract, and capability. Typically, residency visas are issued for one or two years for overseas employees. Foreign employers may receive residency visas for a period of two years.

There are age-related restrictions for the duration of the residency visa for the sponsor's family members. Usually, the sponsor's visa duration applies to the sponsored family members, except for parents and adult males pursuing education. Visas for parents and education-seeking adult males are valid for one year, independent of the sponsor's visa duration.

Please note that the aforementioned rules and regulations might undergo revisions or modifications. To apply for a Dubai family visa, ensure compliance with the mentioned sponsorship criteria. Direct Document Clearing Services LLC, a leading consulting service provider in the UAE, offers various visa services. Our visa experts can assist you in obtaining your UAE family visa efficiently and effortlessly.