Moving to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without your loved ones can feel incomplete. Fortunately, the UAE’s Family Visa program allows expatriates to sponsor their immediate family members including spouses, children, and even parents to live with them in the Emirates. This blog will walk you through what a family visa is, why it matters, how to apply, what documents you need, salary requirements, recent policy changes, and the costs involved.
Whether you’re planning to relocate your family from abroad or applying from within the UAE, this guide equips you with clear steps and insights to make the process smooth and stress-free.
Family Visa UAE
A Family Visa UAE also called a Family Residence Visa is a type of residence permit that allows eligible residents in the UAE to sponsor their close relatives for long-term stay and residency. It’s primarily granted to immediate family members such as:
- Spouse (wife or husband)
- Children
- Parents (in some cases)
The family visa status allows your loved ones to reside, study, and access local services in the UAE under your sponsorship. The duration of this visa usually matches the sponsor’s residence visa (commonly 1–3 years), and it can be renewed before expiry as long as eligibility criteria continue to be met.
Why UAE Family Visa
The UAE attracts millions of expatriates with its strong economy, high standard of living, and world-class facilities. Bringing your family together in a stable environment has several benefits:
- Family Unity & Security: Enables families to live together under one roof in a safe and cosmopolitan environment.
- Access to Quality Services: Family members on a residence visa can access education, healthcare, and insurance services within the UAE.
- Stability and Long-Term Residency: Unlike short-term visit visas, family residence visas allow extended stays that align with your employment contract or investor status.
- Employment and Education Flexibility: Children can enroll in local schools and universities, and spouses may pursue employment or business opportunities (with necessary work permits).
Ultimately, the family visa fosters a sense of belonging and allows expatriates to fully enjoy life in the UAE without prolonged separation from loved ones.
Requirements for Family Visa in UAE
To apply for a UAE family visa, the sponsor must be a UAE resident with a valid residence visa. The minimum salary requirement is usually AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 plus company-provided accommodation. The sponsor must have a valid tenancy contract (Ejari) and an Emirates ID. Family members eligible include spouse and children. A legally attested marriage certificate is required for a spouse.
Required documents include passport copies, passport-size photos, and medical fitness reports for family members above 18 years. Children need birth certificates, attested by relevant authorities. Health insurance is mandatory in most emirates. The sponsor must also submit a visa application, pay the required fees, and complete biometric registration if applicable.
How to Apply for Family Visa in UAE
Applying for a Family Visa UAE involves several steps — from eligibility checks to visa stamping. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
To sponsor family members, you must be a resident in the UAE with a valid residence visa and meet the minimum salary and accommodation requirements (explained later).
Step 2: Gather Documents
Prepare all required documents for both the sponsor and dependents (detailed in the next section).
Step 3: Apply for Entry Permit
Submit the application to the relevant authority usually the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) or relevant emirate portal (e.g., GDRFA for Dubai). These applications can often be completed online. An entry permit (also called an “initial visa”) is issued allowing the family member to enter the UAE if they are applying from abroad.
Step 4: Medical Fitness and Emirates ID
Once in the UAE or after status change, dependents aged 18 and above must undergo a medical fitness examination at approved health centers and apply for an Emirates ID.
Step 5: Visa Stamping
After medical clearance and ID registration, the final step is visa stamping in the passport, which officially grants the family member residency rights.
Processing times vary but can take several weeks depending on document attestation, medical exams, and authority backlogs.
Documents Required for Family Visa
Accurate document preparation is one of the most important aspects of a successful family visa application. Documents must meet UAE specifications, be attested where required, and in some cases translated into Arabic.
Documents for the Sponsor
Common documents include:
- Sponsor’s passport copy
- Sponsor’s UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy
- Salary certificate or employment contract (confirming minimum salary)
- Tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi) as proof of suitable accommodation
- Labour contract (if applicable)
Documents for Dependents
Typical documents required for the spouse or children include:
- Passport copies valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-sized photos meeting UAE specifications
- Attested & translated Marriage certificate for spouse
- Attested & translated Birth certificate for children
- Medical fitness test reports for adults (18+)
- Health insurance coverage proof (mandatory)
In special cases (e.g., sponsoring unmarried daughters over a certain age), additional affidavits or proofs may be needed. Always check with local immigration offices or official portals to ensure the latest list is complete.
How Much Salary Required for Family Visa in UAE
One of the most critical eligibility criteria is minimum salary. The UAE has set clear thresholds depending on sponsorship type:
Basic Sponsorship Requirements
To sponsor your spouse and children in most UAE emirates, you must either earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 per month or AED 3,000 per month with employer-provided accommodation.
Sponsoring Parents
To sponsor parents, a higher minimum salary is required across all emirates typically around AED 20,000 per month. Alternatively, sponsors may combine lower salary thresholds with property ownership of a specified value (e.g., AED 1 million).
Investor & Golden Visa Holders
Investors or holders of Golden Visas may not be subject to the same income thresholds Golden Visa holders can often sponsor family members regardless of salary as long as other criteria are met.
These salary thresholds are subject to ongoing updates, so always confirm with the ICP, GDRFA, or official government portals before applying.
How Much Does a Family Visa Cost in the UAE?
The cost of a family visa in the UAE varies depending on the emirate, visa duration, and additional services like medical tests and Emirates ID. On average, applicants should budget between AED 4,000 to AED 6,500 per person, which includes entry permits, visa stamping, medical exams, ID fees, and health insurance. Additional costs may apply for document attestation, translations, or expedited processing.
Here’s an approximate breakdown based on 2025 estimates
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost (AED) |
| Entry Permit | 500 – 1,000 |
| Medical Test | 250 – 700 |
| Emirates ID | 170 – 450 |
| Visa Stamping | 500 – 1,000 |
| Health Insurance | 600 – 3,000 (per person annually) |
| File Opening / Application Fees | ~268 – 1,138 |
Additional costs may come from attestations, translations, or expedited services if chosen.
Why Choose Helen and Sons for Family Visa Processing
A Family Visa UAE is one of the most meaningful steps for expatriates seeking to build a life with their loved ones in the Emirates. While the process involves detailed documentation, salary thresholds, and multiple steps, informed preparation can greatly reduce complexity.
Choosing Helen and Sons ensures accuracy, speed, and compliance with the latest government rules, minimizing delays and errors. Our expert consultants guide you at every step, offering personalized solutions tailored to your family’s needs.