Family / Dependent Visa
UAE residency for spouse, children and parents of UAE residents. Sponsored by your existing UAE visa holder. 2-3 year validity matching the sponsor.
What Is the Family / Dependent Visa?
The UAE Family Visa (also called Dependent Visa) allows existing UAE residents to bring their spouse, children and parents to live in the UAE. The sponsor must hold a valid UAE residency visa (Investor / Employment / Green / Golden) and meet salary thresholds — typically AED 4,000+/month for spouse sponsorship, AED 20,000+/month for parent sponsorship.
Family visa is the right path for relocating your household to the UAE. It gives dependents the same residency rights as the sponsor — including school enrollment, public healthcare access, and the right to open bank accounts (for adults). Compared to applying separate work / investor visas, the Family Visa is the standard route for non-working spouses, minor children and parents.
Who Can Apply
- Sponsor must hold valid UAE residency visa
- Sponsor salary: AED 4,000+/month for spouse, AED 6,000+/month for children, AED 20,000+/month for parents
- Marriage certificate (legalised) for spouse
- Birth certificate (legalised) for children
- Children: sons up to 25, unmarried daughters of any age
- Parents: typically requires single sponsor (no UAE sibling)
- Adequate accommodation in the UAE (tenancy contract)
Cost Breakdown
Government fees + Insight service fee. No hidden costs.
Estimates only. Final quote depends on dependents, urgency and current government fees. We confirm in writing within 24 hours.
Step-by-step Application
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01
Sponsor eligibility check
We confirm your existing visa, salary level and tenancy contract meet the thresholds for the dependent type.
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02
Document legalisation
Marriage / birth certificates issued outside UAE must be legalised in the country of issue + UAE embassy + translated to Arabic.
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03
Entry permit per dependent
We file entry permit applications via ICA. Each dependent gets a 60-day entry permit — issued in 3-7 days.
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04
Medical, biometrics, status change
Dependents fly in on entry permit, complete medical (adults), biometrics, and status change to family visa.
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05
Emirates ID + insurance
Emirates ID issued for each dependent. Health insurance is mandatory and must be active before visa stamping.
What You Need to Provide
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- Passport-size photo with white background
- Entry permit / current UAE visa copy
- Emirates ID (if existing UAE resident)
- Medical fitness test result
- Application form signed by sponsor / self
- Marriage certificate (legalised + Arabic translation) — for spouse
- Birth certificate (legalised) — for each child
- Sponsor salary certificate / labour contract
- Tenancy contract (Ejari registered)
- Family book or no-objection from UAE siblings — for parents
Family / Dependent Visa vs Other UAE Visas
Family / Dependent Visa — Frequently Asked Questions
Sponsoring spouse: AED 4,000-6,000/month salary (+ accommodation provided OR housing allowance). Sponsoring children (under 18): same threshold. Sponsoring parents: AED 20,000+/month required, plus you typically need to be the only UAE family member able to support them.
Yes, but it's harder than spouse/children. Requires: AED 20,000+/month salary, proof of being the sole supporting child, family book or NOC from UAE siblings, and parents must remain together (joint sponsorship). Often requires deposit or insurance.
10-14 days per dependent from start to Emirates ID, assuming documents are pre-legalised. Document legalisation (marriage / birth certificates) can add 2-4 weeks if not done — best to start that step early.
Yes — once on Family Visa, children can enroll in any UAE school (public or private). Schools require Emirates ID and visa proof, so timing the visa before the academic year is important.
Dependent visas are tied to the sponsor. If sponsor's visa is cancelled (job loss, etc.), dependents have 30-180 days grace period to either: transfer to new sponsor, find their own visa path, or leave the UAE.
Family Visa alone doesn't grant work rights. To work, your spouse needs either: a separate Employment Visa (employer-sponsored), her/his own business / investor visa, or a "spouse work permit" issued by MOHRE. The work permit is a quick add-on and widely used.
Apply for Family / Dependent Visa
