Family Sponsorship & Dependent Visas in UAE
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
UAE residents can sponsor family members for dependent residence visas, subject to income and housing requirements:
- Sponsoring spouse and children: Male residents can sponsor their wife and children. Since recent reforms, women can also sponsor their husband and children if they meet the income requirements.
- Income requirement: The sponsor typically needs a minimum salary of AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + employer-provided accommodation) to sponsor dependents.
- Children: Sons can be sponsored until age 18 (or 25 if studying at a recognised university). Unmarried daughters can be sponsored regardless of age. Golden Visa holders can sponsor children of any age.
- Parents: You can sponsor your parents if you earn enough and can provide health insurance and suitable housing. Golden Visa holders can sponsor parents regardless of income thresholds.
- Domestic workers: Families earning above a certain threshold can sponsor domestic workers (housemaids, nannies, drivers) — the process is managed through Tadbeer centres.
When does it apply?
- You have a valid UAE residence visa and want to bring your family to live with you.
- You meet the minimum income and housing requirements for sponsorship.
- This applies to all nationalities residing in the UAE.
What to Do If You Want to Sponsor Your Family for UAE Residency
- Apply through the GDRFA app (for Dubai) or ICP smart app (for other emirates) for dependent visas.
- Provide required documents: sponsor's passport and visa, marriage certificate (attested), children's birth certificates (attested), salary certificate, tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai), and health insurance.
- Arrange health insurance for all dependents — this is mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and increasingly required in other emirates.
- Attest all foreign documents — marriage and birth certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country, then legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not bring family members on a visit visa and overstay — apply for proper dependent visas through GDRFA or ICP.
- Do not submit unattested documents — the application will be rejected. Attestation through MOFA is mandatory for all foreign-issued documents.
- Do not forget to renew dependent visas when you renew your own — they are linked to the sponsor's visa and expire when yours does.
Common Questions
When does it apply — family sponsorship & dependent visas?
You have a valid UAE residence visa and want to bring your family to live with you.You meet the minimum income and housing requirements for sponsorship.This applies to all nationalities residing in the UAE.
What should I do if I want to sponsor my spouse or children for a dependent visa in the UAE?
Apply through the GDRFA app (for Dubai) or ICP smart app (for other emirates) for dependent visas.Provide required documents: sponsor's passport and visa, marriage certificate (attested), children's birth certificates (attested), salary certificate, tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai), and health insurance.Arrange health insurance for all dependents — this is mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and increasingly required in other emirates.Attest all foreign documents — marriage and birth certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country, then legalised by the Ministry...
What should you NOT do — family sponsorship & dependent visas?
Do not bring family members on a visit visa and overstay — apply for proper dependent visas through GDRFA or ICP.Do not submit unattested documents — the application will be rejected. Attestation through MOFA is mandatory for all foreign-issued documents.Do not forget to renew dependent visas when you renew your own — they are linked to the sponsor's visa and expire when yours does.