UAE Family Visa 2026: How to Sponsor Your Spouse, Children & Parents

Answer Capsule: A UAE family (dependent) visa lets a resident sponsor their spouse, children and parents. u.ae states that the sponsor must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation (u.ae); parents are sponsored under separate conditions, so confirm them with ICP or GDRFA. 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

These are the thresholds u.ae publishes, and the rules are updated periodically — always confirm the current requirement with ICP or GDRFA before applying. 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 (u.ae asks for a recent coloured photo with a white background: see our photo requirements guide)

The marriage and birth certificates on this list are attested ones — 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 (ICP fees and how to check its status: our Emirates ID guide).
5. Residency-visa stamp.

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

What It Costs

No official source publishes a single total per dependant. Each step is charged by the authority that runs it: the entry permit and residence permit (GDRFA in Dubai, ICP in the other emirates), the medical test, health insurance, and the Emirates ID, which ICP prices at AED 100 per year of residence plus a AED 100 smart-service fee. Check each fee on the authority's service page; costs vary by emirate, dependant type and processing speed.

Children: Age Limits

u.ae lists sons under 25 years old, unmarried daughters, and children with special needs among the family members an expatriate resident may sponsor (u.ae). Once a son passes the age limit, he typically needs his own visa.

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? u.ae states a minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, for the sponsor. Parents are sponsored under separate conditions; confirm them with ICP or GDRFA.

Can I sponsor my parents on a UAE visa? Possibly, under separate conditions. u.ae's family-sponsorship page lists the spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs for expatriate residents, and says Green visa holders can also sponsor first-degree relatives. Confirm the current conditions for parents with ICP or GDRFA before applying.

Up to what age can I sponsor my son? u.ae lists sons under 25 years old. Unmarried daughters and children with special needs can also be sponsored.

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 published on u.ae. Confirm the current requirements with the authority or a licensed advisor.