Taxation
Expert taxation and financial management solutions
VAT Services
Business Accounting Services
Financial Forecast & Projection
Book-keeping Services
Accounts Payable
CFO Services
Inventory Verification Service
Tax Residency Certificate in UAE
Payroll Management
Month End Financial
PRO Services
Professional support for all your business needs
PRO Business Services Overview
MEA & MOFA Attestation
Golden Visa
Property Visa
DUBAI Customs Registration
Assistance in Bank Account Opening in UAE
DIFC Formation
Pioneering Excellence in Financial Foundations.
Overview
DIFC Foundation
DIFC Prescribed Company
DIFC Innovation Hub
DFSA Regulated Entities
The UAE belongs to those countries that expats like moving to because of the better job opportunities, stable lifestyle, and the highest living standards. Since there are many foreigners residing in the country, many wish that their family members could join them. In such a case, it would be necessary to apply for a UAE Family Residence Visa.
In any case, it is crucial to learn about UAE Family Sponsorship. Actually, it is strictly governed by the rules of certain governmental institutions, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) and General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. Although the procedure is rather straightforward, some nuances should still be noted.
This guide describes all peculiarities of the Family Visa sponsorship process.
Family Visa of UAE is a type of resident visa through which expatriates living in the UAE can sponsor their family members to live within the UAE legally. Unlike an employment visa which is linked with a job, a family visa is dependent on the residency status of the sponsor.
The duration of the family visa is 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years based on the type of visa held by the sponsor and his employment contract. It needs to be renewed prior to its expiration.
Residence visa in the UAE along with other conditions of finances and accommodation is required from the person sponsoring the visa.
The following authorities issue family visas:
For the sake of sponsoring their families, these expatriates would have to satisfy certain criteria laid out under the laws of UAE immigration.
Income criteria would be either:
There were profession-specific criteria that used to exist before; however, the present situation does not require such criteria. Thus, the expatriate workers enjoy more choices in selecting sponsors.
Criteria include:
They include:
The most important step is to have your documentation perfect. Lost or wrongly attested documents are one of the common reasons for applications to be rejected or delayed.
Here is a step-by-step guide on sponsoring family visa in the UAE:
The sponsor will be the one applying for an entry permit for his or her family members. The applications can be made through:
The entry permit will allow the dependent to enter the UAE on legal terms or change their visa status if the dependents are already in the country.
Upon approval, the dependent must then enter the UAE on the basis of the entry permit granted. If the dependents are already in the country, an application to change the status should be processed accordingly.
For dependents over 18 years, a medical fitness test needs to be passed. It usually includes:
This is to determine if the applicant is free from serious communicable diseases.
The applicants need to go to an ICP registered center to register their biometrics:
It is a mandatory requirement to obtain medical insurance. The sponsor has to obtain it for every dependent before issuing the visa.
After successfully completing all the above steps, the residence visa will be issued and an Emirates ID will be delivered.
The total cost required to sponsor an individual with a family visa depends on various factors including the emirate, the nature of the visa applied for, and services provided.
On average, the cost incurred by each dependent is within the range of: AED 3,000* to AED 8,000*
UAE family visa processing time is normally quite quick provided all documents are ready.
Estimated Process Duration:
Estimated Time Required for Processing: Under normal circumstances, the whole process can be completed within one to three weeks.
Factors That Could Delay the Process:
Despite the quick process the reasons why UAE family visas can be rejected are:
Checking and double checking documentation will lower rejection risks considerably.
To speed up approvals try:
Choosing Flyingcolour Business Setup in Dubai is wise if you want an easy, smooth, stress-free business setup in the UAE. They've been there for a long time with great knowledge of the rules of business setup in the UAE so they'll lead you through legal issues efficiently and confidently. Flyingcolour provides services from beginning to end to ease your worries, dealing with different agencies, or any confusion during your setup in the UAE.
Why opt for Flyingcolour Business Setup in Dubai:
Flyingcolour Business Setup saves your time and administrative workload and lets you concentrate on the growth of your business. Customer support and professional execution of document work make it one of the most professional business setup service providers in Dubai.
A resident holding valid residency and having met the minimum salary and accommodation requirements can sponsor a spouse, dependent children and in certain cases the parents depending on the immigration rules.
It is normally AED 4,000* or AED 3,000* along with accommodation, though it may differ according to the emirate and visa type.
The sponsor requires a copy of the passport, Emirates ID, tenancy contract, and salary certificate. The dependent requires copies of the passport, photographs, marriage or birth certificate with proper attestation; furthermore, the parents will require supporting documents.
The processing will usually take 1-3 weeks and it varies depending on documents, medical tests, types of application and the pace of the immigration department.
The total cost varies from AED 3,000*-8,000 for every dependent which includes entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, and visa stamping fees.
All dependents above 18 years will require a medical fitness test which includes a blood test and chest X ray, prior to receiving the residence visa and Emirates ID.
Yes the parents can be sponsored if you have an income in the higher range, proof of dependency, medical insurance and are provided with proper accommodation.
Low salary, documents not attested correctly, wrong information provided, medical test failure, and absence of proof of accommodation can be valid reasons for immigration authorities to refuse the application; therefore the applicant has to submit the correct information and documentation.
Therefore, to learn more about How to Sponsor Family Visa in UAE, Book a free consultation with one of the Flyingcolour Business Setup team advisors.
The article was published on 1/6/2026. It is important to note that the federal policies and updates mentioned may have changed since then. For the most current information, please contact our consultant.
Our Success lies in honestly and integrity which are used as motivational factors to inspire us to arrive at success as well as prosperity for the company plus our customers.
18,000
20
175
High Tech