Planning to bring your family to the UAE? From minimum salary requirements to medical tests and visa fees, here’s an in-depth look at everything you need to sponsor your loved ones and settle in Dubai.
Dubai’s popularity as a career hub often leads expats to bring their families once they’ve settled. Sponsoring your spouse, children, or even parents allows them to live in the UAE under your residence visa. To start this process, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria and follow a series of straightforward procedures.
Most expats sponsor their immediate family, i.e., wife and children. To do this, you’ll need:
Age Limits: Sons can be sponsored up to 25 years old, daughters can be sponsored as long as they’re unmarried.
Multiple Wives: Under certain conditions, a Muslim resident may sponsor two wives, subject to additional documentation and regulations.
Bringing parents to Dubai requires a salary of at least Dh10,000. You must also show you’re their sole financial supporter, and both parents should generally be sponsored together unless special circumstances apply. A yearly visa is commonly issued for parents, with mandatory health insurance and a deposit per parent.
While fees vary by emirate and visa type, expect to pay around Dh200 for a residence permit plus knowledge and innovation fees. If the process is done inside the UAE, an additional Dh500 may apply. Yearly medical insurance is mandatory for parents, and certain categories or urgent services come with higher fees.
Family members above 18 must be tested at authorized medical centres. Common tests check for HIV, TB, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases. If cleared, you can continue with the residency stamping process.
Family residency visas typically last between one to three years, depending on the sponsor’s contract and visa. Start the renewal process before it expires to avoid overstay fines. The procedure generally mirrors the initial application, including a possible repeat of medical tests and updated housing documents.
Immigration rules may change periodically, so keep up to date with announcements from the GDRFA in Dubai or the ICA for other emirates. Having the latest information ensures a smooth experience in sponsoring your family. By meeting salary requirements, completing the necessary paperwork, and adhering to timelines, you’ll secure legal residency for your loved ones in Dubai’s ever-thriving environment.
