Sponsoring Children — Documents Required for Family Sponsorship in UAE
For UAE residents sponsoring children. Sons are typically eligible up to age 18; unmarried daughters may be sponsored beyond 18 — confirm current age rules with ICP.
UAE residents can sponsor immediate family members (spouse, children, and in some cases parents) for a UAE family residency visa. The sponsor must meet a minimum monthly salary threshold and provide adequate accommodation. Requirements vary by emirate and relationship — confirm current requirements with ICP or GDRFA before applying.
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Showing 13 documents for Sponsoring Children, 2 case-specific documents added.
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Copy of sponsor's valid UAE Emirates ID (front and back)
Copy of sponsor's valid UAE residency visa stamp in passport
Clear copy of sponsor's valid passport (all pages with stamps)
Original letter from employer on company letterhead stating monthly salary — issued within the last 3 months. Must meet the minimum threshold (generally AED 4,000/month or AED 3,000/month with employer accommodation — confirm current threshold with ICP/GDRFA).
Minimum salary threshold is set by the authority and subject to change — confirm with ICP or GDRFA before applying
Copy of sponsor's current employment contract corroborating salary stated in the salary certificate
May be required in addition to salary certificate — confirm with ICP/GDRFA or typing centre
Registered Ejari tenancy contract (Dubai) or equivalent registered tenancy in other emirates; title deed; or employer accommodation letter. Accommodation must be adequate for the number of dependents.
Accommodation proof specifications may vary by emirate — confirm with ICP/GDRFA
Original + copy of dependent's passport; minimum 6 months validity required
Recent colour photographs of the dependent on white background, per ICP specifications
Original marriage certificate attested through the full chain: home country notary → home MOFA → UAE embassy in country of issue → UAE MOFA. Arabic translation is also required.
Required for sponsoring a spouse. Incomplete attestation is the most common rejection cause — confirm the full chain with ICP or a registered typing centre.
Original birth certificate for each child, attested through the full chain: home country notary → home MOFA → UAE embassy in country of issue → UAE MOFA. Arabic translation is also required.
Required for sponsoring children. Confirm attestation chain requirements with ICP or a registered typing centre.
Certificate from a UAE Ministry of Health-approved medical fitness centre for each applicable dependent (generally age 18+)
Original birth certificate for each child, attested through the full chain: home country notary → home MOFA → UAE embassy in country of issue → UAE MOFA. Arabic translation required.
Proof of active school or university enrolment if sponsoring a son over 18 — rules on eligibility and age limits are subject to change
Age eligibility for child sponsorship is subject to change — confirm with ICP before applying
How to apply — step by step
- 1
Confirm Sponsor Eligibility
Verify that you (the sponsor) meet the minimum monthly salary requirement. The widely cited threshold is AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000/month if employer provides accommodation). Female sponsors sponsoring a husband or children may be assessed under a different threshold — confirm current rules with ICP/GDRFA as these are subject to change.
Tip: Some professions or visa categories may be assessed differently. Obtain a salary certificate on company letterhead dated within the last 3 months.
- 2
Obtain and Attest Marriage/Birth Certificates
Foreign family documents must go through the full attestation chain: (1) notarised in the country of origin, (2) attested by that country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), (3) attested by the UAE embassy/consulate in that country, and (4) attested by UAE MOFA. This is the most common cause of application rejection.
Tip: Allow 4–8 weeks for full attestation — start well before you plan to apply. Some countries require additional steps (e.g. state-level authentication before MOFA).
- 3
Prepare Accommodation Proof
Arrange a registered Ejari tenancy contract in Dubai (or the equivalent registered tenancy in other emirates), a title deed showing ownership, or an employer accommodation letter. The accommodation must be deemed adequate for the number of dependents.
- 4
Apply for Dependent Entry Permit
Submit the family visa / entry permit application through an authorised typing centre or the ICP smart services portal (icp.gov.ae). Attach all sponsor and dependent documents.
- 5
Dependent Completes Medical Fitness Test
Once in the UAE, each dependent aged 18 and above (confirm current age threshold with ICP) undergoes a medical fitness examination at a Ministry of Health-approved centre.
Tip: Medical requirements for children may differ — confirm with the approved medical centre.
- 6
Apply for Dependent Emirates ID
Submit the Emirates ID application for each dependent through an authorised typing centre or ICP smart services. Biometrics are taken at this stage.
- 7
Receive Dependent Residency Visa
Once all documents are approved and biometrics are captured, the dependent's residency visa is stamped in their passport and their Emirates ID is issued.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to sponsor family in the UAE?
Sponsors are generally required to earn a minimum monthly salary to sponsor dependents — AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000/month with employer-provided accommodation) has been widely reported. Female sponsors wishing to sponsor a husband and children may be assessed under a higher threshold. All thresholds are subject to change — always confirm the current requirement with ICP or GDRFA before applying.
Do my family's documents need to be attested?
Yes. Foreign marriage and birth certificates must go through a full attestation chain: notarised in the home country, attested by that country's MOFA, attested by the UAE embassy in that country, then attested by UAE MOFA. Skipping or reversing any step will cause rejection. An Arabic translation is also required. Confirm the exact chain for your nationality with ICP or a registered typing centre.
Can I sponsor my parents on a UAE residency visa?
Parent sponsorship is permitted in the UAE but typically requires a significantly higher minimum salary (reportedly around AED 20,000/month in Dubai — confirm current thresholds with ICP/GDRFA). Additional documents proving the parent-child relationship are required.
How long does it take to get a UAE family visa?
Processing typically takes 2–3 weeks per dependent, but timelines vary by emirate, document completeness, and application volume. Full attestation of foreign documents can add 4–8 weeks — plan ahead.
Can a female UAE resident sponsor her family?
Female UAE residents can sponsor children and, in certain professions or categories, a husband. The salary threshold for female sponsors may be higher than for male sponsors. Confirm current eligibility rules and thresholds with ICP or GDRFA as these are subject to change.
Official source
ICP / GDRFA — official portal ↗Don't want to chase these documents?
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