If you hold a valid UAE residence visa, you can usually sponsor your spouse and children once you earn at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided accommodation, according to the UAE Government portal as of October 2026. Parents can also be sponsored, but the conditions are stricter. This guide covers who you can sponsor, the documents you need and how the process works.
Who can sponsor family members?
Both employees and business owners with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor relatives. For employees, the official rule is a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, regardless of job title. If you own a company and hold residence through it, the company documents and your income evidence take the place of an employment contract. See our guide to residency in the UAE for the investor and partner routes.
Golden Visa and Green Visa holders have their own family rights, which are often broader than those for standard visas.
Which relatives can you sponsor?
| Relative | Key condition (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Legally married; attested marriage certificate |
| Sons | Under 25 years old |
| Daughters | Unmarried |
| Children with special needs | No age limit stated |
| Parents | Higher income and additional conditions set by the emirate’s immigration authority |
Requirements for stepchildren, sons over 25 or other relatives are handled case by case and may need special approval.
Sponsoring your parents
Parent sponsorship is possible but usually involves a higher salary threshold, proof of suitable housing, health insurance for each parent and, in many cases, a refundable security deposit. The exact figures are set by the immigration authority in each emirate (GDRFA in Dubai, ICP elsewhere) and are reviewed from time to time, so confirm the current amounts before you apply. Parent visas are generally renewed every year.
Documents you will typically need
- Your passport, residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Passports and photos of each family member.
- Attested marriage certificate (for a spouse), translated into Arabic where required.
- Attested birth certificates for children.
- Salary certificate or employment contract, or company documents if you are an owner.
- Tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) and a recent utility bill.
- Health insurance for each dependant (mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi).
Certificates issued abroad usually need attestation in the country of issue, then by the UAE embassy there, and finally by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Start this early, as it is often the slowest part.
Step-by-step process
- Apply for an entry permit through GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates) if your family is outside the UAE. If they are already in the country on a visit visa, you can usually apply for a change of status instead.
- Family enters the UAE on the entry permit.
- Medical fitness test. Family members aged 18 or over must pass a medical test at an approved centre.
- Emirates ID biometrics at an ICP service centre.
- Residence visa issued, normally linked to the validity of your own visa.
Government fees vary by emirate and visa length. For a full picture of costs, use our cost calculator.
Important rules after the visa is issued
- Linked validity. Family visas depend on your own. If your visa is cancelled, your dependants’ visas must be cancelled too.
- Grace period. According to the UAE Government portal, dependants have a six-month grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation to obtain a new residence permit.
- Fines. Sponsors who do not renew or cancel dependants’ visas on time can be fined.
- Six-month rule. Standard residence visa holders who stay outside the UAE for more than six months risk their visa lapsing, unless an exception applies.
Quick checklist before you apply
- Your salary meets the threshold on your contract, not only with allowances.
- Marriage and birth certificates are fully attested.
- Your tenancy is registered and in your name.
- Health insurance is arranged for each dependant.
- Your own visa has enough remaining validity.
Costs to budget for
Family sponsorship involves several separate costs, and it helps to plan for all of them at the outset:
- Entry permit or change of status fees.
- Residence visa issue fees, which depend on the emirate and visa length.
- Emirates ID fees for each family member.
- Medical fitness test fees for dependants aged 18 or over.
- Health insurance premiums.
- Document attestation and legal translation, often the cost people forget.
- Security deposits where the authority requires them, for example for parents.
Government fees are set by the authorities and change from time to time. Our cost calculator shows current government and service fees separately.
Tips for a smooth application
- Use the same spelling of names across passports, certificates and the tenancy contract. Small differences cause delays.
- Apply for your newborn’s residence promptly after birth; the authority sets a deadline and fines can apply after it.
- Renew your own visa first if it is close to expiry, so your family’s visas are not issued for a very short period.
- Keep digital copies of every attested document; you will need them again at renewal and for school admissions.
How Tajnes can help
Tajnes handles family entry permits, change of status, medicals, Emirates ID and renewals, and can sponsor family through a company you own. Government fees and our service fee are always listed separately. Book a consultation or see our FAQs for more.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to sponsor my wife in the UAE?
As of October 2026, AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, according to the UAE Government portal.
Until what age can I sponsor my son?
Sons can be sponsored until they are 25. Unmarried daughters can be sponsored without an age limit.
Can I sponsor my parents in Dubai?
Yes, but conditions are stricter, including a higher income, suitable housing and health insurance. Confirm current figures with GDRFA before applying.
Can a woman sponsor her husband and children?
Yes, resident women can sponsor their families if they meet the income and housing conditions set by the authority.
Do family members need a medical test?
Family members aged 18 or over must pass a medical fitness test at an approved UAE health centre.
What happens to my family’s visas if I cancel mine?
Dependants’ visas must also be cancelled. They then have a six-month grace period to obtain a new residence permit, according to u.ae.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change and authorities make all final decisions. T&Cs apply.
