UAE Dependent / Family Visa for Free Zone Company Owners 2026
Once you have your UAE investor visa from your free zone company, you can sponsor your immediate family members to live with you in UAE. Here is the complete 2026 guide to UAE family visa (dependent visa) for free zone company owners.
Who Can You Sponsor as a UAE Free Zone Company Owner?
- Spouse: Husband or wife (married under Islamic or civil law; marriage certificate required)
- Children: Sons under 18 years old, daughters of any age (until marriage), children with disability of any age
- Parents: Your parents (father and mother) — requires minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000 to sponsor parents
- Domestic workers: Household employees (maids, drivers) — requires minimum monthly salary of AED 6,000 (AED 25,000 for Golden Visa holders)
Minimum Salary to Sponsor a Family in UAE
UAE general requirement for family sponsorship:
- Sponsoring spouse and children: Minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 if the accommodation is provided by employer)
- As a free zone company owner with investor visa: The salary you pay yourself from your company counts toward the minimum
- Sponsoring parents: Minimum AED 20,000 monthly salary
Documents Required for UAE Dependent Visa
For Spouse:
- Original marriage certificate (must be attested by your country notary + Ministry of Foreign Affairs + UAE Embassy + UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Sponsor passport (yours)
- Spouse passport
- Passport-size photographs of spouse
- Sponsor UAE residence visa copy
- Emirates ID copy
Additional for Children:
- Birth certificate (attested as above)
- Child passport
- For daughters over 18: proof of unmarried status (if required)
Marriage Certificate Attestation Process
For sponsors from most countries, the marriage certificate attestation follows this chain:
- Notarise at a local notary in your home country
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) attestation in your home country
- UAE Embassy or Consulate in your home country
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC) in UAE
This process takes 2-8 weeks and costs AED 500-2,000 in total fees. Some countries participate in the Apostille Convention — an apostille may simplify the process.
Dependent Visa Cost 2026
- Entry permit: AED 900-1,200 per person
- Medical fitness test: AED 300-600 per person
- Emirates ID: AED 370-1,270 per person
- Visa stamping: AED 600-900 per person
- Total per dependent: approximately AED 2,200-4,000
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse work in UAE on a dependent visa?
A person holding a UAE dependent visa cannot work in UAE on that visa alone. To work, they must either: (1) change their visa status to an employment visa (sponsored by a UAE employer), or (2) set up their own UAE company and apply for an investor visa. The dependent visa allows UAE residence but not employment. Some countries also allow dual status if the dependent visa holder gets a work permit separately — check with UAE immigration for current rules.