Sponsoring Spouse and Children for UAE Residency 2026

As a UAE resident, you have the privilege of sponsoring your family members for a residency visa that mirrors your own—whether it is valid for 2, 5, or 10 years, depending on the visa type.

As the sponsor, you act as the guarantor for your spouse and children, taking full responsibility for their legal stay and adherence to UAE regulations. At Emirabiz, we simplify this journey for you, from the attestation of civil documents to meeting the criteria of different emirates.

Requirements for spouse and children sponsorship

Before initiating any paperwork, it is essential to understand that sponsorship requirements vary significantly based on the residency status of the sponsor and the category of dependents being sponsored (specifically a spouse and children).

For sponsors holding a standard 2-year residency visa, strict mandates apply: you must meet specific minimum salary thresholds and provide proof of adequate housing. In contrast, for Golden Visa sponsors, these restrictive financial and housing requirements have been waived.

Minimum salary thresholds

• Male sponsors: A minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 if the employer provides suitable accommodation.
• Female sponsors: A female expat can sponsor her husband and children, but the threshold is higher. You generally must earn between AED 8,000 and AED 10,000 monthly.

Important note: In Dubai (GDRFA), women sponsors often require special approval and may need to provide a notarised No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the father to sponsor children. As of 2026, the type of profession is no longer a strict limitation, provided the required income level is met.

Housing requirements

• Mandatory documents: For standard 2-year residence visas you must provide a registered Ejari contract or a Title Deed.
• Minimum capacity: The residence must be a two-bedroom apartment.

Cost breakdown for spouse and children sponsorship

Budgeting for family residency depends on the type of sponsored residency (standard or Golden) and on whether your dependents are currently inside or outside the UAE. Below are average price ranges.

Inside the UAE application

Status change in case the relative applies from inside the country will cost additional AED 680.

Medical test for children

For children under the age of 18, the medical fitness test is not required.

Required documents for family sponsorship

Sponsor

• High-resolution color copies of the passport and active UAE residence visa.
• Emirates ID
• Proof of Income: A stamped Employment Contract and a formal Salary Certificate (for employees), valid trade license and share certificate (for investors and partners)
• A registered Tenancy Contract (Ejari in Dubai or Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi) and a recent utility bill (DEWA/ADDC) for standard visa sponsorship.
• Passport-sized photos on a white background, compliant with UAE visa standards.

Dependents (spouse and children)

• Passport copies of the spouse and each child (valid for at least 6 months).
• For a spouse: An original Marriage Certificate.
• For children: Original Birth Certificates.
• Valid health insurance
• Photographs for each family member
• Medical fitness test certificate (mandatory for all dependents aged 18 and above).

Note: All civil records must be legally translated into Arabic and fully attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the UAE Embassy in the country of origin.

Document attestation

Documents translation and attestation will cost you additional AED 2,500 per item on top of the above mentioned expenses.

Important note: The UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. All foreign-issued documents must follow this chain:

1. Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country of origin.
2. Attestation by the UAE Embassy in that country.
3. Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Once attested, documents must be legally translated into Arabic by a translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice.

Timeline roadmap to spouse and children residency

1. File opening (1–2 days): Registering the sponsor's file in the GDRFA or ICP system.
2. Entry permit issuance (3–5 days): Obtaining the initial "Tasheer" which allows entry or status change.
3. Medical and biometrics (1 day): Visiting an authorised centre for blood tests (adults only) and fingerprints.
4. Visa approval & Emirates ID (5–7 days): Final approval and digital issuance of the residence visa and Emirates ID card.

Visa maintenance rules

When residence visa is put “on hold”

If the sponsor changes employers, there is no need to cancel spouse and children visas and pay for new entry permits. This is how it works:

1. The dependents' visas are placed "on hold" through an Amer or ICP centre.
2. The sponsor provides a copy of a new job offer or contract and pays a refundable deposit of approximately AED 5,000.
3. This keeps the family's residency active while your new sponsor processes your own visa.

Expired visa: grace periods and fines

If a sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the UAE typically provides a 60-day grace period for family members to renew their visa or depart. Once this period expires, a standardised overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies.

How Emirabiz can help with sponsoring spouse and children

At Emirabiz, we take pride in guiding your family through every step of the residency process—from the initial document collection to the final issuance of their resident status. We handle the entire bureaucratic burden on your behalf, managing the complex world of legal translation, document attestation, and certificate legalization so you don’t have to.

Your journey is overseen by a dedicated personal manager who crafts a tailored roadmap for your specific needs. We ensure a seamless experience by facilitating medical screenings and biometrics appointments without the stress of long queues. Most importantly, we are committed to complete transparency, providing you with the most competitive pricing and a streamlined process free from hidden fees or unnecessary commissions.

We’ll handle smooth relocation of your spouse and children to Dubai! Book a free consultation