Visas for family members
After obtaining a certain type of UAE residency (for example, based on work), you can apply for sponsorship visas for close relatives. Depending on the sponsor and sponsored persons, there are many nuances that are important to consider.
General requirements for sponsoring family members
Wife or husband
- The sponsor must have a UAE residence visa (work, investor or any other).
- Availability of a lease agreement for an apartment or your own home. (request at the discretion of the state body)
- Legalized marriage certificate.
- To sponsor a wife, the husband must have an income of at least AED 4,000 (if the employer does not provide accommodation) or AED 3,000 (if the employer provides accommodation), regardless of the husband’s occupation.
- To sponsor a husband, the wife must have an income of at least AED 4,000 (if the employer does not provide accommodation) or AED 3,000 (if the employer provides accommodation) if the wife works as a teacher, doctor, engineer, nurse or in the medical field. If the woman works in another field, her income must be at least AED 8,000 per month, subject to prior approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
- For Golden Investor Visa holders, income verification is not required in any case.
Parents
- The sponsor must have a UAE residence visa (work, investor or any other).
- Having a rental agreement or owning your own home (minimum two bedrooms).
- Legalized birth certificate of the sponsor.
- The minimum sponsor salary is AED 20,000 per month. For Golden Investor Visa holders, proof of income is not required.
- A visa for the mother and father must be submitted jointly. If the parents are divorced or one of them has died, then when submitting the application, it is necessary to provide evidence of this fact (legalized divorce or death certificate).
Children
- A resident can sponsor his/her son(s) only up to the age of 18. If the son is studying in the UAE or abroad after the age of 18, he/she can be sponsored up to the age of 25 upon providing evidence that he/she is studying. However, in order for his/her residence visa to remain valid, he/she must enter the UAE at least once every six months.
- Daughters can be sponsored without age restrictions, but only if they are unmarried. For a daughter over 18, you must provide a certificate of unmarried status.
- If a child is born in the UAE, his/her visa must be issued within 120 days from the date of birth.
- If the children are sponsored by the mother, permission from the father must be obtained (No Objection Certificate).
"Residents diagnosed with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are considered medically fit and are issued a one-year 'Certificate of Fitness for Residence' subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent government health authority." Ivan Egorov, юрист
For what period can a visa be issued?
Usually, the sponsorship visa duration depends on the sponsor's visa duration. For example, if the sponsor's visa duration is 10 years, the dependent's visa duration is also 10 years. Once it expires, it will need to be extended.
If the sponsor's visa is cancelled, the dependent's visa is frozen (waiting mode). After the visa expires or is cancelled, there are 30 days during which the document must be extended. Failure to do so will result in the person being considered an illegal resident. This may result in a fine or deportation.
If the visa is no longer needed, it must be cancelled. For family visas, the cancellation process is the same as for obtaining, but in reverse order. You must first cancel the visas of dependent relatives, and then the main resident visa must be cancelled.
What documents will be needed?
NB! Documents from your country of origin must be translated, notarized and legalized.
- Valid visa, copy of passport and Emirates ID of sponsor.
- Copies of passports of sponsored relatives.
- Colored 3x4 photographs of sponsored relatives (electronic).
- Certificate of medical examination of adults and children over 18 years of age.
- A valid employment contract (registered with the Ministry of Labor) if the sponsor is employed by a Mainland company.
- Salary certificate issued by the free zone if the sponsor works for a company registered in the free zone.
- Company License and Articles of Association (MOA) if the sponsor has a partner/investor visa.
- Proof of relationship – original documents legalized for the UAE (birth or marriage certificate).
- Tenancy contract / Ejari / Title Deed confirming sufficient number of rooms depending on the number of family members.
- Bank statement for the last three months and IBAN (International Bank Account Number) of the sponsor.
Visa Process for a Family Member
“The standard processing time for a family member visa is from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the family member’s location in the UAE and the readiness of the package of documents.” Alexey Romanov, юрист
Stage 1
Apply for an entry visa (entry permit)
If a family member is outside the UAE, the first step is to obtain an entry visa. You don't need to go to the consulate for this: the visa is issued electronically and sent by email. If a family member is already in the UAE, you need to change their status. This costs a little more than obtaining a visa outside the UAE.
Stage 2
Fly to UAE
After receiving an entry visa, the family member arrives in the UAE. When passing through border control, it is necessary to present the entry visa for a stamp.
Stage 3
Take a medical test
A family member must undergo medical tests at one of the authorized centers in Dubai.
Stage 4
Prepare your visa and Emirates ID application
After receiving the test results, you need to prepare an application and attach the necessary documents. The application can be submitted online or at a special center. If the set of documents is complete and all requirements are met, then the family member will receive a resident visa and Emirates ID.
FAQ
Is it possible to apply for a visa for a child of a wife, and not the main sponsor, if the child is not biological or adopted?
Yes, a resident can also sponsor his/her adopted children, subject to the conditions of the GDRFA:
- deposit for each child and
- written evidence of no objections from the biological parent.
A child's residence visa is valid for one year and can be renewed annually.
How to get such a visa if the sponsor has a freelance visa?
The sponsor must meet the following requirements:
- have a valid residence permit,
- Sponsor's minimum salary: AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 depending on the sponsor's gender) excluding housing expenses,
- The application must be submitted within 60 days of the issuance of the freelance resident visa (this is because the person must prove that he or she has the means to live independently in the country).
Is it possible to sponsor two wives?
Muslim residents may sponsor two wives, but each case is considered separately.
Is it possible to sponsor children?
You can sponsor your daughters if they are not married.
You can sponsor your sons up to the age of 18. If they are 18-25, you can sponsor them provided you prove that they are studying. However, they must come to the UAE at least once every six months.
Is it possible to apply for such a visa together with obtaining a visa for the main sponsor?
No. Only the holder of the main resident visa can sponsor a family member's visa. Therefore, the sponsor must first obtain a visa, and only then can a visa be issued for a family member.
Is it mandatory for the visa holder to live in the UAE?
No, but the visa holder must visit the UAE at least once every six months.
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