UAE Spouse and Family Visa — How to Sponsor Dependents in UAE Guide 2026
UAE residence visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children as dependents on UAE family visas. The requirements and costs for UAE dependent visas are important to understand when planning a family relocation to UAE. This guide covers UAE dependent family visas for 2026.
In this guide:
Who Can Sponsor Family in UAE?
- UAE residence visa holders: any valid UAE residence visa holder (employment visa, investor visa, Golden Visa, Green Visa) can sponsor immediate family
- Minimum salary for spouse sponsorship: AED 4,000/month (employment visa holders); OR AED 4,000/month + accommodation provided by employer; in practice, most banks and authorities look for AED 10,000+/month for stable family setup
- Investor visa holders: typically no minimum salary as the visa is based on company ownership; but must demonstrate financial means
Who Can Be Sponsored as Dependents?
- Spouse: legally married husband or wife; marriage certificate required (attested and translated to Arabic if not in English)
- Children: under 18 years old; or daughters up to 25 if unmarried; sons up to 18 (unless at university in UAE, then may extend)
- Parents: UAE residents can sponsor parents on long-term visit visas (1 year renewable) if earning AED 20,000/month
- Parents-in-law: spouse’s parents can also be sponsored under the same conditions
UAE Dependent Visa Process
- Gather documents: sponsor’s salary certificate or bank statements; sponsor’s UAE residence visa and Emirates ID; marriage certificate (attested and translated); children’s birth certificates (attested); sponsor’s accommodation proof (tenancy agreement)
- Attest marriage certificate: for non-UAE nationals, marriage certificates must be attested by your home country’s relevant authority, then by UAE Embassy in your country, then by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Apply for entry permits: via GDRFA (Dubai) or ICA online portal; one entry permit per family member
- Family members travel to UAE: on their entry permits
- Medical fitness tests: each dependent completes medical test in UAE; AED 250-400 per person
- Emirates ID: biometric registration; AED 200 per person
- Residence visa stamp: AED 500-750 per person
UAE Dependent Visa Costs
- Per dependent (estimate): entry permit AED 800-1,200; medical AED 300-400; Emirates ID AED 200; visa stamp AED 500-750; total approximately AED 1,800-2,550 per dependent
- Annual health insurance: mandatory; Dubai requires DHA basic plan (AED 600/year minimum); Abu Dhabi DOH plan; private comprehensive plans AED 2,000-8,000/year per person
- Renewal every 2-3 years: similar to initial costs