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Dubai Family Visa Requirements And How To Apply For It In 2023

04-Apr-2023

8 min read

Do you want to sponsor your family to live with you in the UAE? You can do so by applying for a Dubai family visa. This visa is different from a tourist or work visa, allowing you to stay in Dubai with your family for an extended period.

The Dubai family visa is also known as a dependent visa. It allows the dependent family members of a UAE resident to live and work in Dubai.

Either you or your employer can apply for the visa. You can apply with an Emirates ID and a residence visa, along with a few other eligibility requirements.

The application process can be daunting and lengthy if you are unsure how to apply for a Dubai family visa. So keep reading to learn more about the Dubai family visa and how to apply for one.


Eligibility Criteria for a Dubai Family Visa

Dubai has strict eligibility criteria that must be fulfilled before you can plan your application. So you can apply for a Dubai family visa if you meet the following sponsorship requirements:

  • You must be a UAE citizen, a valid residence visa holder, or a valid residence permit holder living in the country.
  • You must earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 per month plus accommodation if you are a male.
  • Whereas female sponsors must have a minimum salary of AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation.
  • You no longer need to be working in a specific field or industry to be eligible to sponsor your family members.
  • The family members getting sponsored over the age of 18 must go through a medical fitness test from any approved Medical institution in the UAE.
  • Lastly, the Amer website states that you must have a minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000 in order to sponsor parents.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque UAE

Sponsoring your Family Members for a Dubai Family Visa

You can sponsor any of your immediate family members if you are in UAE on a residence visa. And you can sponsor the following members of your family:

Spouse:

  • If a Muslim resident may be permitted to sponsor his two wives if he complies with the requirements specified by ICP.
  • You must provide an attested marriage certificate in Arabic or one that has been properly translated into Arabic by a qualified translator.

Children:

  • You can only sponsor your daughter(s) if she(they) is(are) single, without any age limitations.
  • You may sponsor your son(s) up until the age of 25 if they are unmarried. There are no age restrictions on sponsorship for kids with special needs.
  • A residency visa must be requested within 120 days of the birth of a child in the UAE to avoid getting fined.
  • You may sponsor your stepchildren according to the GDRFA's requirements, which include a deposit for each child and a signed no-objection letter from the biological parent. Their visas are valid for one year and must be renewed each year.

Parents:

  • You must make a deposit as a guarantee for each parent as required by the relevant immigration authority in order to sponsor your parents for a year's stay.
  • You are not permitted to sponsor just one of his parents. He must jointly sponsor both parents. Additionally, you must prove that you are their only source of support and that they have no one to look after them at home.
  • Documentation supporting the need to sponsor only one parent would be required if one of the parents has died or if the parents are divorced.
  • The employed expatriate resident must obtain a medical insurance policy for parents with the minimum coverage required for each, to be renewed annually, and earn the minimum wage required in order to sponsor parents.

If you are a woman trying to sponsor your family members, you must make a note of the following:

  • You can sponsor your children under specific conditions and if you have approval from the ICP.
  • You will also need a written no-objection certificate from your spouse to apply for the family visa UAE.
  • You can sponsor your husband and kids if you earn a minimum of 10,000 AED or 8,000 AED with accommodation.
  • You might also need to provide additional documents wherever required by the government authorities.

Documents Required for a Dubai Family Visa

The most important step is to have all the requirements for a family visa in dubai before you can start the process.

  • A copy of the valid passport of the sponsored family member
  • Three or more colored passport-size photographs of you and family members
  • A duly filled application form which can be obtained from typing center
  • A valid copy of the health insurance card
  • A copy of the front and back of the Emirates ID Card of the person sponsoring
  • A copy of the passport of the person sponsoring.
  • A copy of the UAE residence visa of the person sponsoring.
  • A copy of the work contract for the sponsor is needed with proof of meeting the minimum salary requirement or salary certificate
  • Proof of accommodation in the form of a lease contract or title deed
  • Or a registered tenancy contract or home ownership contract in the sponsor's name. However, if the wife is a sponsor and the contract is in the husband's name, then a copy of the husband's Emirates ID card must be attached to the contract and any additional documents.
  • A copy of the Health Examination Test Result from a government-approved health center is also needed.
  • Make sure you also have attested to your marriage certificate
  • And attested to the children's birth certificates.

Remember that same-sex marriages are still not recognized or legal in the UAE, so it is more difficult for such couples to move together in the country.

Aerial view of the Dubai frame

Steps to Apply for a Dubai Family Visa

Remember, either you or your employer can start the visa application process for your family member. Also, have all the necessary documents ready so that you can start the process yourself soon as your family lands in UAE.

To apply for a Dubai visa, you will need to take the following steps:

- Get an entry permit:

This step is not needed if your family is already in the UAE. In that case, you will need to apply for a change in status so that you can start the application process.

However, if your family is outside UAE, you can start by applying for an entry permit or visit visa. Then, you can apply for a Dubai visa online using our Atlys app. You can choose a 60-day single-entry or multiple-entry visa to give you adequate time to complete the family visa application in Dubai.

- Get the medical test report:

Soon as your sponsored family members are in the UAE, you must start the application process by getting their medical fitness test done. This must be conducted by a government-approved health center in the UAE.

Once your family has passed the medical test, you can start the next step.

- Apply for Emirates ID:

Next, you must apply for the Emirates ID on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security - ICP website. Or you can visit one of the AMER typing centers or the respective immigration departments near you to start the application process.

Here you must have all the required documents ready to upload online or submit in person. You will also have to fill out the application forms and pay the necessary fees.

- Get health insurance:

In the UAE, medical costs are very high; hence medical or health insurance is necessary. However, there are several affordable options available to choose from. Additionally, the majority of employers provide their employees with medical insurance.

- Receive your Emirates ID:

Lastly, once your Emirates ID is processed and approved, you can collect it or will receive the ID at the provided address. You must pay courier fees if you wish for it to be delivered.

Additionally, according to the new announcement by ICP, you do not need to provide your passport for stamping purposes. Instead, you will receive your Emirates ID and can download your e-residence permit for future use. Meaning you can also use your valid Emirates ID when traveling through the airport.
And that is how you can apply for a valid UAE residence visa.


Dubai Family Visa Fees

There are several Dubai visa fees that you can expect to pay. On top of the basic fees, you might have to pay additionally for your service provider and any additional documents or attestation.

Here are some of the fees you must pay:

  • Sponsorship File Opening: AED 200 to 300
  • Entry Permit: AED 400 to 1200
  • Visa Status Change: AED 690
  • Medical Tests: Roughly AED 300 to 450
  • Emirates ID: AED 250 (1 year), AED 350 (2 years), AED 450 (3 years)
  • Health Insurance: Starts anywhere from AED 450 per month

Choose Atlys For Your Dubai Tourist Visa From India

Applying for a Dubai visa has become easier than ever with Atlys!

Be it for leisure, tourism, business, or visiting friends and family members, you can apply for a Dubai tourist visa directly on the Atlys app! You can also use complete the entire visa application in under 60 seconds with Atlys.

Simply scan your passport and take your visa photo directly on the app. You can also pay the visa fees with ease using any credit card, debit card, or your preferred payment method.

Not convinced yet? Atlys also gives you ETAs and sends you real-time notifications on your smartphone. So that you can stay up to date with your visa application on the go!

And if you are in a hurry, you can also apply for your Dubai express visa on your smartphone using Atlys!

Dubai sunset panoramic view of downtown. Dubai is a super modern city of UAE, a cosmopolitan megalopolis

That is how you apply for a Dubai Family Visa!

This blog should help you in your research and application process for your Dubai family visa. As you can see, the process is easy if you know how to go about it!

And if you are just looking for a short trip to the UAE, apply for your Dubai tourist visa using Atlys!

Written By: Nikhita Rathod
Fact Checked By: Richard Dettmar

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a family visa in UAE online?

The validity of a Dubai family visa is 1, 2, or 3 years. The stepchildren of the sponsor can only get a visa valid for 1 year and must be renewed. Additionally, the visa renewal must be done 30 days before the expiry date.

How can I check the status of my Dubai visa online?

You can check the status of your Dubai family visa by visiting the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security - ICP or the General Directorate Of Residency And Foreigners Affairs, Dubai - GDRFAD website and providing your login details.

How many days will it take for family visa processing in Dubai?

The entry permits for UAE can be obtained within 3-5 working days. However, once in Dubai, you must apply for a residence visa within 60 days. The time varies, but usually, it takes about 2 weeks.

What is the new rule for family visas in Dubai?

There are a few UAE family visa rules that the UAE government has introduced starting in 2023, such as:

  • The dependents' residence visa and Emirates ID are united. You simply apply for the residence visa and Emirates ID online. Once approved, you will receive the Emirates ID without needing the visa stamping on your passport. Meaning you will be able to use the Emirates ID instead of the visa when traveling.
  • Parents can sponsor male children till the age of 25,
  • Parents can sponsor disabled children under a special permit,
  • Lastly, parents can sponsor their unmarried daughter for an indefinite time.
How long does a UAE family visa take?

The entire process for a UAE family visa can take up to 30 days or more, depending on the circumstance you are applying under.

Can I apply for a family visa in UAE online?

Yes. You can apply for the family visa or your residence visa online on the ICP or GDRFAD websites.

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