Family Visa in United Arab Emirates
If you earn AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 + accommodation), you can sponsor your family - the paperwork is the slow part, not the rules.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
Any UAE resident earning at least AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided accommodation, can sponsor a spouse and children. Parents need a higher threshold (typically AED 20,000/month or AED 19,000 + accommodation) and proof you're their sole support.
Visas are issued through ICP in most emirates and GDRFA in Dubai. The biggest delays come from document attestation: marriage and birth certificates must be MOFA-attested in the issuing country and then re-attested by the UAE MOFA before the family file can move forward.
Documents required
- Sponsor's passport, Emirates ID, and valid residence visa
- Sponsor's salary certificate or employment contract (Arabic or English)
- Tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) showing 2+ bedrooms
- Marriage certificate (attested by home country MOFA + UAE MOFA + UAE embassy)
- Children's birth certificates (same attestation chain)
- Family member passports and photos
- Medical fitness certificate (for sponsored members aged 18+)
- Health insurance for each dependent
Eligibility
- Sponsor earns AED 4,000+/month, or AED 3,000 + accommodation
- AED 20,000+/month for sponsoring parents (with sole-support justification)
- Suitable housing - typically 2-bedroom apartment minimum
- Marriage and birth certificates fully attested
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit (per dependent) | 1,170 AED | Standard family entry permit; confirm current amount on ICP. |
| Status change (in-country) | 650 AED | If the dependent is already in the UAE on a tourist visa. |
| Residence visa stamping (2 years) | 300 AED | Plus AED 40 knowledge/innovation fees. |
| Medical fitness test | 320-750 AED | Per adult dependent; varies by emirate and speed. |
| Emirates ID (2 years) | 270 AED | Per dependent. |
| Health insurance | Varies AED | Mandatory; basic plans from AED 1,000/year per dependent. |
Step by step
- 1
Attest documents in home country
Marriage and birth certificates must be attested by your home country's MOFA and then by the UAE embassy there. Skipping this is the #1 cause of rejection.
2-6 weeks · center
- 2
UAE MOFA re-attestation
Once the dependents arrive (or before), re-attest the certificates at UAE MOFA. Mostly online via the MOFA app for AED 150/document.
1-3 days · online
- 3
File entry permit
Sponsor applies through ICP (most emirates) or GDRFA (Dubai), uploading the salary certificate, tenancy contract, and attested family documents.
3-7 working days · online
- 4
Medical + Emirates ID biometrics
Once dependents are in the UAE, complete the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics. Same flow as the main residence visa.
1 week · center
- 5
Visa stamping
ICP/GDRFA issues the dependent's residence visa electronically, and the Emirates ID is couriered.
5-10 working days · online
Processing time: 3-6 weeks once attested documents are ready; the attestation step itself is what usually drags.
Where to do it online
- ICP
Family visa applications outside Dubai
- GDRFA Dubai
Family visa applications for Dubai residents
- Amer
Approved Dubai service centres for family file submission
Amer centres (Dubai) and Tasheel centres elsewhere are common for family applications because document checks are stricter. Service fees typically AED 200-500 in addition to government fees.
Renewal
Family visas are valid for 2 years and renewed alongside the sponsor's visa (or independently with proof of valid sponsorship). The same 30-day grace period applies.
Fines & penalties
- Overstay after grace: AED 50/day per dependent
- Sponsoring without meeting the salary threshold can void the application
- Unattested documents are rejected outright
Common pitfalls
- Skipping home-country attestation - you'll be turned back at MOFA
- Salary certificate older than 2 months - usually rejected
- Tenancy contract in a studio - won't pass family suitability checks
- Forgetting health insurance - blocks the medical test result upload
FAQs
AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 + employer-provided accommodation, to sponsor a spouse and children. Parents need AED 20,000+/month or AED 19,000 + accommodation, plus proof you're their sole support.
Yes, but it's harder: higher salary threshold, proof you're the sole financial supporter, and the visa is typically issued 1 year at a time with a refundable deposit per parent.
Yes - attested by your home country's MOFA, then by the UAE embassy in that country, then re-attested by UAE MOFA after arrival. There is no shortcut.
Around 3-6 weeks if your attested documents are ready. The attestation chain itself can add 2-6 weeks depending on home country.
Yes - AED 5,000 is above the AED 4,000 threshold. You'll still need a suitable tenancy contract (2-bedroom minimum is the practical rule).