family visa in uae
Family visas for the UAE can be sponsored by either the expatriate or their employer. As a foreign resident, you must submit your UAE Family Visa application within 60 days of receiving your own UAE Residence Visa.
A Family Visa for the UAE can be issued for one, two, or three years and can be renewed at least thirty days before its expiration. Family visas are linked to the sponsor; if the sponsor’s visa expires or is canceled, the Family Visas will also become invalid.
The UAE Family Visa is a type of residence visa, and as such, you have to submit it on behalf of your family members after they are already in the country on an entry permit. You can submit the family visa application at the offices of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the relevant emirate.
Who Can you Sponsor for a UAE Family Visa?
It is easier for a male expatriate to sponsor his family members to the UAE than it is for a woman. If you are a man who is on the UAE on a Residence Visa, you can bring the following family members on a Family Visa to the UAE:
Your wife
If you are a Muslim resident, you may also sponsor two wives but you must meet certain terms set out by the GDRFA.
Your sons
You can sponsor your sons only if they are 18 or under. If the sons are over 18, you can still sponsor them but only if they are students, and only up to the age of 21. Additionally, if the sons are over 18, they must enter the UAE at least once every six months if studying abroad otherwise their UAE visa will be canceled.
Your daughters
You can sponsor your daughters only if they are unmarried.
Your parents
You can also sponsor your parents, provided you meet the following conditions :
- You sponsor both parents unless one of them has passed away
- You pay a deposit of AED 2,500 as a guarantee for each parent— make sure to check with the corresponding immigration department as this fee may change.
- You get your parents a medical insurance policy
- You have a monthly salary of AED 20,000 or a AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation
Your stepchildren
You may also sponsor your stepchildren if you get a written No Objection Certificate from the biological parent. The visa for stepchildren is valid for one year and renewable.
Can a Woman Sponsor Her Family Members for a UAE Family Visa?
Yes, she can but the criteria for a woman to sponsor her family to the UAE are higher than for a man:
- The family members she can sponsor are her husband and her children.
- She has to earn a monthly salary not lower than AED 10,000 or alternatively AED 8,000 plus accommodation
- She must work as an engineer, teacher, or a profession related to the medical sector (doctor, nurse etc)
- In certain cases (and only with approval from the DRND), if the woman has a sufficient monthly salary, she could qualify for sponsorship even if she isn’t employed in one of the aforementioned categories
- If she has a husband who can sponsor the children instead, she is not allowed to do it herself. It must be the husband.
What to Consider While Applying?
1
Document Attestation
Ensure all documents, such as marriage and birth certificates, are attested by the UAE embassy in your home country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.
2
Validity Period
Family visas are typically valid for one to three years and must be renewed before they expire to avoid penalties.
3
Medical Insurance
It is a must to have health insurance coverage for all family members as per UAE regulations.
How can we assist you
Kabayan Ehsan provides personalized consultations for obtaining a UAE Family Visa, assisting foreigners in efficiently securing residency in the country. We help investors & Residents assess their eligibility for a UAE Family Visa and manage the submission of their applications along with all necessary documents. Contact us today to simplify the process of obtaining a Family Visa in the UAE. Let us help you submit your application smoothly with all the relevant documents.
