UAE Family Visa — Sponsoring Spouse and Children Guide 2026
UAE residents can sponsor family members (spouse, children) for UAE residence visas. Family sponsorship requires the UAE resident to meet minimum salary requirements. This guide covers UAE family visa sponsorship for 2026.
In this guide:
Who Can Be Sponsored on UAE Family Visa?
- Spouse: husband or wife of UAE resident
- Children: dependent children (unmarried sons under 18; unmarried daughters of any age; children with special needs of any age)
- Parents: some emirates allow parent sponsorship with additional salary requirements
- Note: brothers, sisters, domestic workers: these are NOT sponsored as family; domestic workers have separate visa category
Minimum Salary Requirements for Family Visa Sponsorship
- UAE federal requirement: AED 4,000/month minimum salary (or AED 3,000 with accommodation provided by employer)
- Dubai GDRFA: AED 4,000/month for spouse; AED 10,000/month for parents
- Free zone investor visa: salary requirement replaced by free zone company investor status; most free zones allow family sponsorship for investor visa holders without salary requirement
UAE Family Visa Documents Required
- Sponsor’s: Emirates ID; UAE residence visa; UAE salary certificate (for employment sponsors) or trade licence (for investor visa sponsors)
- Spouse: marriage certificate (attested by home country and UAE MOFA); passport; photos
- Children: birth certificate (attested); passport; photos
- Marriage certificate attestation: requires full attestation chain including UAE MOFA stamp
UAE Family Visa Process
- Apply online via GDRFA (Dubai) or ICA (other emirates); sponsor applies on behalf of family member
- Family member travels to UAE on entry permit (issued via application)
- Medical fitness test for family member (in UAE)
- Emirates ID biometrics for family member
- Family visa issued: 2-year validity (for employer-sponsored); renewable
UAE Family Visa Costs
- Entry permit: AED 200–400
- Medical test: AED 300 (per family member)
- Emirates ID: AED 372 (2-year)
- Residence visa fee: AED 100–400
- Health insurance (mandatory): AED 1,500–5,000/year per family member
- Total per family member: approximately AED 2,500–6,500