UAE Family Visa: How to Sponsor Your Spouse, Children & Parents

Answer Capsule: A UAE family (dependent) visa lets a resident sponsor their spouse, children and parents. Sponsoring a spouse or children typically requires a minimum salary of around AED 4,000 a month plus accommodation; sponsoring parents needs roughly AED 20,000 and extra conditions. Thresholds vary by emirate. Golden and Green Visa holders get more flexible family sponsorship, and the process runs through GDRFA/ICP.

Once you hold a UAE residency visa, you can sponsor your immediate family to live with you. The rules are mostly about your salary and the right documents — get those two things in order and a family visa is one of the more predictable UAE processes. Here is who you can sponsor in 2026, what you need, and what it costs.

What Is a Family (Dependent) Visa?

A family or dependent visa is a UAE residence permit issued to a sponsor's immediate family member — a spouse, child, or parent. The dependant's visa is tied to the sponsor's residency and is renewed alongside it.

Who Can You Sponsor? Salary Thresholds

Dependant	Typical salary requirement	Notes
Spouse	~AED 4,000/month + accommodation	Requires an attested marriage certificate
Children	~AED 4,000/month	Sons up to 18 (older if studying); unmarried daughters of any age
Parents	~AED 20,000/month + conditions	Usually both parents sponsored together, with medical insurance and often a deposit

These thresholds are typical figures that vary by emirate and are updated periodically — always confirm the current requirement for your emirate. Golden and Green Visa holders generally face looser thresholds.

Documents You'll Need

• The sponsor's passport, Emirates ID and residency visa
• Salary certificate or attested labour contract (proof you meet the threshold)
• Tenancy contract (Ejari) as proof of accommodation
• Attested marriage certificate (to sponsor a spouse)
• Attested birth certificates (to sponsor children)
• Passport copies and photos of each dependant

Attestation of foreign certificates is the step that most often delays a family visa — see how MOFA attestation works.

The Process, Step by Step

1. The sponsor applies for an entry permit through GDRFA / ICP (via an Amer centre in Dubai).
2. The dependant enters the UAE on the permit — or, if already inside, completes a change of status.
3. Medical fitness test (for dependants aged 18+) and biometrics.
4. Emirates ID application.
5. Residency-visa stamp.

Processing typically takes around 1–2 weeks per dependant once the documents are accepted.

What It Costs

Government fees usually run roughly AED 5,000–6,000 per dependant, covering the entry permit, status change / medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping. Costs vary by emirate, dependant type and whether you use express processing.

Children: Age Limits

You can sponsor sons up to age 18, extended while they are in full-time study (with proof, generally up to their early twenties). Unmarried daughters can be sponsored at any age. Once a son passes the age limit and is not studying, he typically needs his own visa or a one-year extension permit.

Golden & Green Visa Holders: Easier Family Sponsorship

If you hold a Golden Visa or Green Visa, family sponsorship is more generous: you can sponsor your spouse and children for the full term of your visa, and parents under fewer constraints. This is one of the most valued benefits of the longer self-sponsored visas.

ZETUP's Family Visa Support

ZETUP confirms you meet the salary and accommodation requirements, manages document attestation, applies for the entry permits, and coordinates the medical and Emirates ID steps for each dependant — so a family of four is handled as one organised process, not four separate scrambles.

Visa Services | Golden Visa UAE 2026 | UAE Green Visa 2026 | Book a free PRO Health Check

Frequently Asked Questions

What salary do I need to sponsor my family in the UAE? Typically around AED 4,000 per month plus accommodation to sponsor a spouse or children, and roughly AED 20,000 per month to sponsor parents. Thresholds vary by emirate and are updated periodically.

Can I sponsor my parents on a UAE visa? Yes, but it requires a higher salary (around AED 20,000/month) and additional conditions — usually sponsoring both parents together, providing medical insurance, and sometimes placing a refundable deposit.

Up to what age can I sponsor my son? Generally up to 18, extended while he is in full-time study (with proof). Unmarried daughters can be sponsored at any age.

How long does a UAE family visa take? Around 1–2 weeks per dependant once the documents are accepted and the medical and biometric steps are completed.

Do Golden Visa holders sponsor family differently? Yes. Golden and Green Visa holders get longer, more flexible family sponsorship than standard employment-visa sponsors.

This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Sponsorship thresholds and rules are set by GDRFA/ICP and vary by emirate. Confirm the current requirements with the authority or a licensed advisor.