Visa & Sponsorship

    UAE Family Sponsorship Guide: Visa Requirements for Dependents 2025

    Complete guide to family sponsorship in UAE. Requirements for sponsoring spouse, children, and parents. Salary thresholds, documents, costs, and application process.

    Published: January 23, 2026
    12 min read read
    7 topics covered

    Quick Summary: Complete guide to family sponsorship in UAE. Requirements for sponsoring spouse, children, and parents. Salary thresholds, documents, costs, and application process.

    Family sponsorship in the UAE allows employed residents, business owners, and visa holders to bring their dependents. This guide covers salary requirements, eligible family members, required documents, costs, and the step-by-step application process for sponsoring family members.
    AspectDetails
    Minimum SalaryAED 4,000 or 3,000 + accommodation
    Eligible DependentsSpouse, children, parents
    ValiditySame as sponsor's visa
    Health InsuranceMandatory for all
    AccommodationTenancy contract required

    Who Can Sponsor Family?

    Eligibility requirements for sponsors.

    Eligible Sponsors

    Employed residents who meet salary requirements. Business owners with valid trade license. Golden Visa holders with automatic eligibility. Green Visa holders with sufficient income. Freelancers with valid permit and income proof.

    Not Eligible

    Visit visa holders cannot sponsor. Students unless married cannot sponsor. Those below salary threshold cannot sponsor. Those without valid UAE residency cannot sponsor.

    Salary Requirements

    Minimum salary thresholds for sponsorship.

    Minimum Salary Thresholds

    Without employer accommodation requires AED 4,000 per month. With employer accommodation requires AED 3,000 per month. Sponsoring parents typically requires AED 20,000 per month.

    Proving Income

    Salary certificate from employer must be attested. Employment contract shows salary details. Bank statements for 3-6 months. WPS record as proof of salary receipt.
    SituationMinimum Salary
    Without employer accommodationAED 4,000/month
    With employer accommodationAED 3,000/month
    Sponsoring parentsAED 20,000/month (typically)

    Eligible Dependents

    Family members who can be sponsored.

    Spouse

    Attested marriage certificate required. No age restriction. Can work with own work permit.

    Children

    Sons under 18 automatically eligible or under 25 if studying. Daughters unmarried any age. Stepchildren with legal documentation. Adopted children with legal adoption papers.

    Parents

    Salary requirement typically AED 20,000+ per month. Age usually 60+ for father. Must prove no other support with dependency proof. Bank guarantee may be required.

    Required Documents

    Documentation for sponsor and dependents.

    For Sponsor

    Valid passport copy. Valid visa copy residence visa. Valid Emirates ID. Attested salary certificate from employer. Tenancy contract Ejari registered for Dubai. Health insurance covering family.

    For Spouse

    Passport original plus copy valid 6+ months. Marriage certificate attested by UAE embassy and MOFA. Photos passport-size white background. Previous UAE visa copy if applicable.

    For Children

    Passport valid 6+ months. Attested birth certificate. Photos passport-size. School certificate if over 18 for sons studying.

    For Parents

    Valid passport. Birth certificate or proof of relationship. Photos passport-size. Bank guarantee typically AED 5,000-10,000. Good conduct certificate from home country.

    Application Process

    Step-by-step guide to family visa application.

    Application Steps

    Step 1: Gather documents taking 1-2 weeks. Step 2: Attest certificates taking 1-2 weeks. Step 3: Apply for entry permit taking 2-3 days. Step 4: Entry permit approved taking 1-3 days. Step 5: Family enters UAE within 60 days. Step 6: Medical test taking 1-2 days. Step 7: Emirates ID application taking 5-7 days. Step 8: Visa stamping taking 3-5 days.

    Application Channels

    GDRFA Dubai at smart.gdrfad.gov.ae. ICP Federal portal. AMER Centers for in-person assistance. Typing centers for application preparation. PRO services for full service support.

    Children Born in UAE

    Step 1: Hospital birth certificate. Step 2: Register with consulate. Step 3: Apply for child's passport. Step 4: Apply for UAE residence visa. Must complete within 120 days of birth.

    Costs and Health Insurance

    Financial requirements for family sponsorship.

    Entry Permit Costs

    Entry permit inside country AED 370-570. Entry permit outside country AED 570-1,170. Express processing additional AED 100-200.

    Residence Visa Costs

    Medical test AED 300-500 per person. Emirates ID 2 years AED 370. Visa stamping AED 500-1,000. Typing and service fees AED 100-300.

    Total Per Dependent

    Spouse approximately AED 1,500-3,000. Child approximately AED 1,500-2,500. Parent approximately AED 3,000-5,000.

    Health Insurance

    Mandatory for all dependents. Dubai requires DHA-compliant plan. Abu Dhabi requires DOH-compliant plan. Coverage must meet minimum basic benefits. Estimated annual premiums: Spouse female AED 1,500-5,000, Spouse male AED 1,000-4,000, Child AED 800-3,000, Parent 60+ AED 5,000-15,000.
    DependentApproximate Total Cost
    SpouseAED 1,500-3,000
    ChildAED 1,500-2,500
    ParentAED 3,000-5,000

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Track Family Visas with NeuralHR

    NeuralHR helps manage family sponsorship with dependent tracking to monitor family visa status, document generation for salary certificates, renewal alerts for visa expiry notifications, compliance calendar for family visa deadlines, and employee records to track dependents.

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    Our team of HR professionals and legal experts specializes in UAE labor law compliance, with extensive experience helping businesses navigate MOHRE regulations, Emiratisation requirements, and workforce management in the UAE and GCC region.

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