UAE Family Visa Requirements

A family visa lets UAE residents bring their close relatives to live legally, access schools and healthcare, and build a stable future. Your dependents can secure tenancy and utilities, and navigate daily life with confidence. A family visa in the UAE does not by itself grant the right to work, but adults can seek employment and obtain the proper work authorization if hired. In Dubai, dependent residency is processed through GDRFA/Amer channels, while other emirates typically follow ICP — steps, document checks, and fee structures can differ slightly.

Who can apply for a family visa in the UAE?

A UAE family visa is available to residents who hold a residence visa, meet income criteria, and can prove suitable housing. In practice, eligibility focuses on stable status, clean records, and documents that confirm your ties to family members and the sponsor’s finances.

Basic conditions

• An active residence visa and an Emirates ID for the sponsor.
• Income at or above the policy minimum salary set for your case and emirate.
• Valid tenancy contract (Ejari/Tawtheeq or equivalent). A recent utility bill may be requested in some cases.
• Health coverage arranged or planned; medical insurance is mandatory in certain emirates and strongly recommended across the UAE to avoid delays at finalization stages.

The visa in the UAE is granted to dependents once checks are cleared and documents verified.

Dependents: spouse, children, parents

You can generally sponsor a legally married spouse, children within age rules, and parents if you meet higher financial criteria. We structure timelines so family members arrive smoothly and activate IDs and medical steps without downtime.

Who you can include and key conditions

Foreign civil documents often must be attested and legally translated before filing. Where required, we ensure marriage certificates are attested by MOFA so your UAE family visa submission remains clean and valid from the outset. For parent sponsorship, additional undertakings and proof of dependency may be required, and authorities may request extra documents case-by-case.

Sponsor eligibility (salary, housing, Emirates ID)

Sponsors can be salaried employees, investors, or owners with a valid status and an income that meets the minimum salary for their category.

Salary and housing requirements

Note: Figures above are indicative and can vary by emirate and case profile. The minimum salary for parents is commonly higher than for a spouse and children.

Processing notes: keep your Emirates IDs and salary records updated to avoid rework during processing. If payroll or address changes, inform us so we can adjust the visa process before appointments.

Required documents for the UAE family visa

Before you apply, align your paperwork with family visa requirements and timelines so approvals stay smooth. The list below covers the required documents for sponsors and dependents; we also note items required for a family arriving from abroad versus those already inside the country. Use this as a working pack so your UAE family visa file is complete across the Emirates.

Documents table: sponsor vs dependents

If your civil records are issued abroad, they often must be legalized or attested, then translated into English/Arabic. Where the authority requires it, ensure certificates are attested by MOFA before submission so your file remains valid across all checkpoints.

Family visa costs in the UAE (2026)

Total costs vary by emirate, number of family members, duration (1-3 years), and whether the applicant is inside or outside the country. Figures below are indicative market ranges to help you budget your UAE family visa plan and keep every status valid through renewals.

What drives the final amount

• Inside vs outside-country filing, plus any status change steps.
• Duration of dependent residency typically mirrors the sponsor’s residence visa validity, and service speed can affect totals.
• Adult vs child requirements, medical category, and insurance plan.

Typical fee ranges per dependent

Note: the exact cost depends on the number of family members and the chosen emirate.

Sample planning snapshots (illustrative)

Government visa fees may be updated during the year, so it’s advisable to monitor the government portals for relevant data.

New rules & updates for the UAE family visa

As of 2025, policy focuses on clarity, income-based eligibility, and streamlined digital touchpoints. The headline changes keep the family visa in the UAE accessible for sponsors who meet salary and housing thresholds while reducing legacy frictions.

What changed and what it means

Digital-first processing keeps your file valid at each gate when details match exactly. In order for your dependents’ residence visa to stay valid without gaps between approvals, coordinate entries, status changes, and Emirates ID steps.

Practical takeaways for 2025

• Income and housing drive outcomes; keep payroll letters and tenancy updated in the same emirate you live in.
• Legalization matters: foreign records should be properly translated and, where needed, routed for approval chains before filing.
• Plan ahead: aligning insurance start dates with visas avoids idle coverage and maintains smooth visa continuation.

Why choose Emirabiz for your family visa application?

Your UAE family visa journey benefits from a team that aligns timelines, paperwork, and approvals across channels. You get a single plan for filings, appointments, and deliveries, with transparent tracking and fast responses. With us, a family visa in the UAE file becomes a predictable project rather than a string of errands.

How this helps in real life

• Clear eligibility mapping, realistic dates, and fee planning for all family members.
• Early checks on translations, certificate formats, and any steps required for a family arriving from abroad.
• One coordinator to track medicals, biometrics, and stamping for your residence visa

10+ years of UAE visa experience

We have handled thousands of dependent filings across the Emirates, including complex parent cases and mixed in/out-of-country profiles. This focus helps families avoid repeat visits and keeps each family member on the same renewal clock.

Direct liaison with immigration authorities

We coordinate submissions through official channels and understand the document standards that the officers expect. This reduces rework and keeps outputs valid at each gate. It also shortens cycles when names, dates, or translations must be corrected before the next step.

Fast and hassle-free process

Speed comes from sequencing, not rushing. It is a calmer path for families and a safer one for your UAE family, especially around school or travel windows and visa expiries.

End-to-end support from consultation to visa stamping

From consultation to stamping, we keep a single record of dates, files, and confirmations. You see what is done, what is next, and what depends on which approval, including visa process timing per emirate. This end-to-end view turns visa processing into a steady flow aligned with your household’s plans.

Start your UAE family visa application today

If you are ready to bring your family to the UAE, the fastest way is to check your eligibility, gather the required documents, and let an expert team submit on your behalf. A properly prepared UAE family visa file saves you time, keeps every approval valid, and makes future renewals easier.

A 2025-ready application means your UAE family visa reflects current income thresholds, updated age rules for sons, and the latest online channels. With Emirabiz, you also keep your visa aligned with your business, travel, and housing plans, so your family visa does not expire in the middle of the school year. If you are setting up a company and relocating relatives at the same time, we can pair your business and visa processing flows to avoid duplicate visits.