How to Sponsor Your Family to Join You in UAE: Eligibility, Costs, and Steps
If you are living and working in the UAE, you can bring your spouse, children, and in some cases your parents to live with you under a residence visa sponsorship. The process is straightforward but involves specific salary requirements, document preparation, and government approvals that many first-timers find confusing.
This guide covers everything you need to know about sponsoring dependants in the UAE — who qualifies, how much it costs, what documents you need, and how the application process works.
Who Can You Sponsor in the UAE?
UAE residency law allows eligible residents to sponsor the following family members as dependants:
- Spouse (husband or wife)
- Children (including daughters of any age if unmarried, and sons typically up to age 18, though exceptions apply for students and those with disabilities)
- Parents (subject to higher salary thresholds)
You cannot typically sponsor siblings, adult brothers, or other extended family members unless special circumstances apply under specific visa categories.
Children Over 18
Sons who turn 18 may continue on a dependant visa if they are enrolled full-time in a UAE university. Daughters can remain on a dependant visa regardless of age as long as they are unmarried. Once a son completes education or a daughter marries, the dependant visa ends.
Parents
Sponsoring parents is possible but requires a higher minimum salary, usually AED 20,000 or more per month, depending on the emirate and the relevant authority processing the application. Accommodation must also meet certain space requirements.
Minimum Salary Requirements for Family Sponsorship
This is the most important eligibility factor. You must earn a sufficient monthly salary to qualify as a sponsor.
| Dependant Type | Minimum Monthly Salary (Approximate) |
|—|—|
| Spouse and children | AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 + free accommodation |
| Parents | AED 20,000 (varies by emirate and authority) |
These thresholds are guidelines applied by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai and the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) for other emirates. Requirements can vary slightly depending on your emirate of residence.
If your salary falls below the minimum, your application is likely to be rejected. A housing allowance included in your employment contract may sometimes be counted alongside your basic salary to meet the accommodation requirement.
Important: Salary thresholds and policies are set by government authorities and are subject to change. Always verify the current requirement with the relevant authority before applying.
Types of Residence Visa for Dependants
Family members are sponsored under a UAE Residence Visa (Dependant Category). This is different from an employment visa and does not give the dependant the right to work in the UAE without obtaining a separate work permit.
Dependant visas are typically issued for:
- Two or three years, aligned with the sponsor's own residence visa validity
- One year, in some cases for parents or short-validity scenarios
When the sponsor's visa is renewed, dependant visas must also be renewed.
Step-by-Step Process to Sponsor Your Family
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before starting any application, check that you meet the following conditions:
- You hold a valid UAE residence visa
- Your employment contract or trade licence confirms your current role and salary
- Your salary meets the minimum threshold for the dependants you wish to sponsor
- You have stable accommodation suitable for your family
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Document requirements differ slightly between sponsors on employment visas and those on investor or freelance visas, but the standard checklist includes:
Sponsor's documents:
- Copy of valid UAE residence visa
- Copy of Emirates ID (front and back)
- Copy of UAE-attested employment contract or salary certificate
- Passport copy
For spouse:
- Original marriage certificate attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)
- Spouse's passport copy and photographs
- Spouse's medical fitness certificate (completed in the UAE after entry)
For children:
- Original birth certificates attested through the same attestation process as the marriage certificate
- School enrolment letter if child is over 18 and studying
- Passport copies and photographs
For parents:
- Original birth certificate or proof of relationship (attested