Who can sponsor their family to live in the UAE?

Expatriate residents, whether employers or employees, women or men, can sponsor their family as long as they have a valid residency permit.

The expat should earn a minimum salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 plus accommodation in order to sponsor their family members. There are no conditions attached to the type of profession the expat must hold. However, basic salary should be Dh3000 or more in the labour contract.

Any foreign worker can now bring their family members to the UAE and have the residency visa under their sponsorship, regardless of profession. The key is that he or she should fall into the applicable salary bracket. 

The UAE resident sponsor (basically the expat sponsoring his or her family) has 60 days to apply for their dependents’ residence visa after they enter the UAE.

What this means is that, essentially the sponsor (the expat) has two months’ time to get the family members’ residence visa stamped. Remember, when the family arrives into the UAE they are provided an entry permit. This status has to be modified to a valid resident visa holder. For this the sponsor has two months’ time to do it.

Validity of the visa
Family visas are issued for one, two or three years depending on the nature of the work and labour contract of the sponsor.

Generally, mainland expatriate employees are issued residency visa for two years based on their labour contract, while free zone expatriate employees and investors/partners are issued residency visa for three years.
For sons and parents, the residence visa is granted on a yearly basis regardless of the sponsor’s visa duration. 

Medical fitness requirement
In order for the UAE to grant or renew a residence visa for family members, men and women who have completed the age of 18 have to take a medical fitness test at government approved health centres in the UAE.

All visa applicants whether for first time or renewal, will be tested for two communicable diseases: HIV (by testing their blood) and pulmonary tuberculosis (by taking an x-ray of their chest).


Those found to be HIV positive or having tuberculosis will be considered medically unfit and therefore will not be granted a residence visa. They will be deported immediately by the UAE's authorities.

Residents with dormant / inactive pulmonary TB
Residents who are detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit. In this case, they are granted a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’ subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or an equivalent government health authority.

It is always advisable for a person with any doubt to get himself or herself tested in their home country before applying for a visa permit to the UAE.

How to sponsor wife and children?
To sponsor a wife, the expatriate resident must prove an existing marital relationship by submitting an authenticated marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator. read more

Sponsoring two wives
In strict cases, a Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor his two wives, if he meets certain terms and conditions set by the GDRFA.

Sponsoring daughters
An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter/s only if she is/they are unmarried.

Sponsoring sons
A resident can sponsor his son/s up to the age of 18. In the case where the son is studying in the UAE or abroad, a resident can sponsor his son/s even after the age of 18 but only up to the age of 21 after providing proof of his education. read more


The key is – for the residence visa to stay valid — he has to enter the UAE at least once every six months. The residence visa is granted on a yearly basis, renewable until the person finishes his education.

One year visa for sons
From October 2018, students graduating from universities or secondary schools or complete 18 years of age will be granted a one-year residence visa, renewable for another year from the graduation date or on completing 18 years,” according to GDRFA website.

For this type of visa, parents are not required to place bank deposits. The visa will cost Dh100 for first time issuing and renewal.

In order to avail this service, parents must present duly attested graduation certificates from universities or schools, whether inside the country or abroad. read more


Required documents to sponsor wife and children include:
  • Online application or through AMER centre.
  • 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.
  • Legalised marriage certificate.
  • Registered tenancy contract.
  • Latest utility bill
+ To prepare your Family Visa application; call

Qusais (Al Nahda-2): 04-239 1302, 055 273 2295, 055-345 7829

Bur Dubai: 04-358 6215, 055-9105757

Hor Al Anz: (Deira): 04-265 8373, 050-715 0562

Qusais (Damascus St): 04-258 6727, 054-300 5931

For Collection & Delivery Service; call 055 273 2295, 055-345 7829
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Sponsoring parents
An expatriate employee can sponsor his parents for a year's stay by paying a deposit as a guarantee for each parent as stipulated by the respective immigration department.


You cannot sponsor just one parent
According to GDRFA, an expatriate employee cannot sponsor only one of his parents. He needs to sponsor both parents together. He also needs to provide proof that he is their sole support and that there is no one to take care of them back home.

If one of the parents has passed away or if the parents are divorced, he has to show the related official documents as justification to sponsor only one of his parents.

Who can sponsor parents’ residence visa?
To sponsor parents, the employed expatriate resident must earn the minimum salary stipulated and obtain a medical insurance policy for parents with the minimum coverage stipulated for each, to be renewed each year.

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (DNRD) in Dubai stipulates a minimum salary of Dh20,000 or a monthly pay of Dh19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation to sponsor parents’ visa. read more

Women expats can sponsor family too
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 Dh10,000 or Dh8,000 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 Dh10,000 and with a special permission from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai DNRD.

However, in the case where a woman expat wants to sponsor her children, she has to get a no-objection letter from her husband, giving her permission to sponsor their child / children. read more

Single mother can sponsor child as well
According to the GDRFA, a single mother can sponsor her child as well. Authorities might ask for documents similar to those required to sponsor stepchildren. read more

Sponsoring stepchildren
An expatriate resident can also sponsor his or her 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; renewable annually.

Visas validity and renewal
The duration of residence visa depends on the type of sponsor and the person sponsored. It is issued for one, or two or three years. Visa is renewed subject to conditions similar to those of fresh visas. read more

The family's residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring expatriate employee. If the sponsoring family member's visa is cancelled, it requires cancellation of the visas of the dependents.

Dependents are granted a 30-day grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visa to obtain a new residence permit. If the employee fails to renew or cancel the visa of his dependents, the dependents would be deemed illegal residents and could be liable to pay a fine.

Cost of services for UAE family visa
Sponsor Registration File pricing: Dh268.90

Entry permit – new – residence for children / wife – resident sponsor working in private sector in the UAE: Dh1,138.90


Entry permit – new – residence for parents – resident sponsor working in private sector in the UAE: Dh1,175.65

Medical test services 
Normal medical test at Amer: Dh322.50
48 hour medical test: Dh432.50
24 hour medical test: Dh532.50

4 hour VIP medical test: Dh752.50

Renew your UAE visit visa without exiting the country

There are a number of options available from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA), as well as UAE-based travel agents for visit visa renewals.

The best part is that you don’t have to exit the country anymore. This offers convenience to those who prefer to stay in the UAE and have their visit visa renewed.

Tourist visa for: Who is it for?
Tourist visas are for those who are not eligible for visa on arrival or a visa-free entry to the UAE. Tourist visa can be obtained for individual tourists from around the world. Women below the age of 18 are not eligible to apply for this type of visa, unless they are travelling with their parents.

According to a UAE Cabinet resolution passed in July 2018, children under the age of 18 years who are accompanying adults can get a free visa for their visit from July 15 to September 15 each year.

What is the validity of a tourist visa?
Depending on your plan, tourist visas to the UAE can be issued for 30-day or 90-day duration, single entry or multiple entry. read more

Can one apply for a visit visa through airlines?
Yes. Licensed travel agents and hotels in the UAE can arrange a tourist visa for you provided you purchase the ticket through them and maintain hotel reservation with the specific hotel.

Each airline has some conditions, which must be met in order for your visa to be arranged by them. One of the conditions is flying with them. Logging onto the airlines websites will help.

The applicant can also apply from a travel agent in your home country to apply for tourist visas.

How to renew your visit visa?
All types of visit and tourist visas can be extended for 30 days twice upon renewal without the need to leave the country.

Visitors and tourists can apply for the second renewal before the expiry of the first one by just paying Dh600 each time of renewal.

Over staying fine
Visa overstayers who do not renew, as above, will have to pay Dh100 fine for each day of their overstay, to be calculated from 10 days after the visa expiry.

Where visit visa extension rule does not apply 
However, the rule for extension does not apply on the following categories:

• visitors and tourists who are residents in GCC countries

• residents accompanying GCC nationals

• those on special entry permits

• those on 96-hour permit for special missions

Packages offered by travel agents in UAE for visa renewal
Airport to Airport visa change
Cost is Dh1,400 and this price includes air-fare

Inside country visa change
Cost is Dh2,200

Renewing your visit visa without exiting the country can be a bit more expensive than an airport to airport visa change.

It is an easier method and there is no need to exit the country. Just imagine the convenience it can be done sitting in the comfort of your house.

How to get this done through an agent
Contact an agent three days before the visa expiry in order to have it renewed.
Agents ask you to contact them three days before visa expiry in order to process the new renewal request.
The service is available on working days Sunday to Thursday.
Documents required for visa renewal
Copy of applicant’s passport first page and last page.
 The passport should have a minimum validity of six months.
A clear passport-size color photo with white background
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Residence visa for your parents in Dubai
Who can sponsor parents?
UAE expatriates, holding valid resident visas having a minimum salary of  Dh20,000 or a monthly pay of Dh19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation can get one-year renewable resident visas for their parents or parents-in-law.

Whom can you sponsor?
As per new regulations, you have to sponsor both your mother and father together and show proof that you are their sole provider and that there is no one to take care of them in your home country.

However, if your parents are divorced or one is deceased, you should carry documentary proof, when visiting GDRFA to obtain the entry permit visa, which is the first step before you can apply for a residence visa.

Getting the entry visa
Your parents have to enter the country on this visa and you should stamp their residence visa within 60 days from their date of entry. read more

Documents required

  • Submit online application through Amer Centre
  • Documents Required:
  • Original passport of sponsor and parent/s
  • One photo each of the parent/s
  • Attested proof of relationship from your embassy or consulate and proof that you are the sole provider and care taker for your parent/s
  • Copy of job contract for the sponsor or salary certificate from employer.
  • Steps

Take the listed documents and go to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. Submit them along with a letter from your side appealing on humanitarian grounds for entry visa for your parent/s. Also, enclose copies of all above documents along with your contact numbers. The Approval Committee will either confirm or reject your application within two weeks. 
Have a registered typist complete the form after paying the fees.
Go to the residency section of DNRD and hand in the documents.
Entry Permit will be sent by Empost usually within 48 hours, or if you have applied for urgent visa, then you should receive it from the counter in a few minutes.
Fees
Dh2,000 refundable deposit (keep receipt safely for renewal or reimbursement, as this is paid back only when the visa is cancelled or in case your parent dies)
Dh486 application fee (Service charge extra)

Getting the residency visa
Once you receive the entry permit, get started on the visa procedures to be completed within 60 days from date of entry. 

Documents required for residence visa
Application form and 3 photos of parent/s
Original passport of parent/s and sponsor
Original entry permit
Health card of parent/s
Refundable deposit receipt
Original job contract or salary certificate of the sponsor
Steps
Do a health checkup and obtain a medical card.
Take the documents and go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai.
Have one of the typists there complete the form for you after paying the fees.
Go to the residency section and hand in the documents.
The passport/s with the residency visa stamp will be sent to you through Empost.
Get a basic mandatory insurance policy for your parent/s starting at Dh600.
Fees
Dh257 for one year residence visa.
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Call us to prepare your Family Visa, Maid Visa, Parents Visa, Visa Medical, Emirates ID, Health Insurance, PRO Service and Certificate attestation. +971 55-273 2295, 055-345 782904-239 1302 or mail your queries to visaprocess.ae@gmail.com

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