How to apply for a visa for family members?
lifestyle
Emirates ID
VISAS
In this article:
Following a residence visa, it is possible to apply for a residence visa for close relatives. The visa is applied for by the sponsor — the family member who obtained it first (e.g. on the basis of employment). Depending on the figure of the sponsor and the sponsored persons, there are many nuances that are important to consider.
01
General requirements
A visa may be granted to: spouse, children, parents, if they meet the requirements.
General requirements for sponsoring a husband
- UAE resident visa (work, investment or any other).
- The type of sponsor’s profession is not important
- Sponsor’s income of AED 3000 dirhams per month or more (approx USD 817).
- Availability of a rental agreement for a flat.
- Residents who are diagnosed with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit and receive a one-year "Certificate of Eligibility for Residence" subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent public health authority.
General requirements for sponsoring a wife
- UAE resident visa for sponsor (work, investment or any other).
- Sponsor has an income of AED 4,000 per month (about USD 1,090).
- Flat rental agreement.
- Should the woman be employed, permission will need to be obtained by submitting a request to the Dubai Directorate General of Residency and Alien Affairs (GDRFA or DNRD). However, sponsor payment requirements in this case generally start at AED 8,000 (USD 2,180) if the company is providing accommodation, but the exact requirements need to be checked with the GDRFA as they may vary from case to case. These requirements do not apply to women who work as teachers, doctors, engineers, nurses or in the medical field.
Sponsoring parents
- The sponsor must have a valid UAE resident visa.
- Minimum salary of sponsor is from AED 20,000 per month (approx. USD 5,450).
- A minimum of 2-bedroom accommodation is required.
- Mother and father visa must be applied for jointly.
- You have to show proof that you are their sole breadwinner and that there is no one in your home country to take care of them.
- In the event of divorce, or if one of your parents is deceased, you must provide proof of this when you apply.
- Residents who are diagnosed with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit and receive a one-year 'Certificate of Eligibility for Residence', subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent public health authority.
Sponsoring children
A resident may sponsor his/her son/sons only up to the age of 18. If after the age of 18, the son is studying in the UAE or abroad, he may be sponsored until the age of 21, provided he provides proof that he is studying. However, for his residency visa to remain valid, he must enter the UAE at least once every six months. Such a residence visa is granted for one year and can be renewed until the child finishes his education.
NB! A daughter can only be sponsored if she is unmarried.
The parents must present duly certified proof of education (both at home and abroad) in order to apply for a visa.
The parents must present duly certified proof of education (both at home and abroad) in order to apply for a visa.
02
How long is the visa valid for?
Usually the validity period of the dependent visa is directly related to the validity period of the sponsor’s visa. For example, if the duration of the sponsor’s visa is 5 years, the duration of the dependent’s visa is also 5 years. After the expiry date, it will need to be extended.
In the event of a sponsor’s visa being cancelled, the dependent’s visa is frozen (standby mode). Once the visa expires or is cancelled, there are 30 days within which the document has to be extended. Failure to do so will result in the person being considered an illegal resident. This may result in a fine or deportation.
The visa must be cancelled if it is no longer needed. For family visas, the process is the same as for family visas, but in reverse order. First you need to cancel the visas of dependent relatives and then the primary residence must be cancelled.
In the event of a sponsor’s visa being cancelled, the dependent’s visa is frozen (standby mode). Once the visa expires or is cancelled, there are 30 days within which the document has to be extended. Failure to do so will result in the person being considered an illegal resident. This may result in a fine or deportation.
The visa must be cancelled if it is no longer needed. For family visas, the process is the same as for family visas, but in reverse order. First you need to cancel the visas of dependent relatives and then the primary residence must be cancelled.
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03
Procedure and terms
The following documents are required to apply for a visa:
- Application form.
- Copies of passports of sponsored relatives.
- Photographs of sponsored relatives.
- Medical clearance certificate for adults and children over 18 years of age.
- Copy of employment contract or contract with a company for the main person.
- Salary certificate from employer showing the employee’s monthly salary.
- Legalised marriage certificate.
- A registered tenancy agreement.
- Recent utility bill.
- Bank statement for the last three months and IBAN (International Bank Account Number) of the sponsor.
Keep in mind that documents from your country of origin must be translated and certified. Therefore, prepare all documents to speed up the process and ensure a satisfactory result.
Step-by-step visa processing plan
The standard visa processing time per family member is 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the location in the UAE and the readiness of the documentation package.
1
Apply for an entry visa (entry permit)
In the event of a family member staying outside the UAE, the first step is to apply for an entry visa. There is no need to go to the consulate for this, the visa is done electronically and sent by email. In the event of a family member already in the UAE, then their status will need to be converted. This will be slightly more expensive than applying for a visa outside the UAE.
2
Arriving in the UAE
Once a family member has obtained an entry visa, they will fly into the UAE. When going through border control, the entry visa has to be presented for stamping.
3
Undertake medical tests
The family member must pass medical tests at one of the authorised centres in Dubai.
4
Prepare visa and Emirates ID application
Once you have received the test results, prepare an application form and attach the required documents. It can be submitted online or at a dedicated centre. If the set of documents is complete and the requirements are met, the family member will receive a residence visa and Emirates ID.
04
Fees and costs
The approximate visa costs range from $ 750 to $ 900 per relative. An additional refundable deposit of approximately $ 820 is payable if the sponsor has an investor visa.
In each case, the final cost of the visa may vary, as it depends on the type of visa of the sponsor, the relative’s presence in the UAE, the kinship relationship (spouse, child, parent). Please write to us if you are interested in the cost of a visa for your case.
In each case, the final cost of the visa may vary, as it depends on the type of visa of the sponsor, the relative’s presence in the UAE, the kinship relationship (spouse, child, parent). Please write to us if you are interested in the cost of a visa for your case.
Printed application form per relative
$100~
Resident status change fee (if the person is already in Dubai)
$150~
Medical Checkup
$100~
Refundable deposit for each relative if sponsor is an investor
$820~
Medical test and obtaining Emirates ID
$550~
Consultancy services for family visa
optional
05
Answers to the most popular questions on this topic:
Yes. A resident may also sponsor his or her adopted children, subject to GDRFA conditions:
- a deposit for each child and;
- a written certificate of no objection from the biological parent.
The sponsor must meet the following requirements:
- have a valid residence permit;
- sponsor’s minimum salary: AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 depending on the sponsor’s gender (not including rental expenses);
- he application must be submitted within 60 days of the issuance of the freelance residence visa. The reason for the application is that the person has to prove that he or she has the means to live in the country on his or her own.
Muslim residents may sponsor two of their wives. An important thing to bear in mind is that each case is dealt with separately.
You can sponsor your daughters if they are unmarried.
You can sponsor your sons if they are 18 or under. You can sponsor them if they are 18−21 years old, as long as you can prove that they are studying. However, they must enter the UAE at least once every six months.
You can sponsor your sons if they are 18 or under. You can sponsor them if they are 18−21 years old, as long as you can prove that they are studying. However, they must enter the UAE at least once every six months.
No. Only the holder of a residence visa can sponsor a family member visa. Therefore, the first step is for the sponsor to obtain a visa and only then can a visa be issued for a family member.
No, but the visa holder must visit the UAE at least once every 6 months.
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