Sponsoring a wife and child
If a male worker earns a minimum salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 plus accommodation costs, his wife can also move to the UAE under his sponsorship.
The couple must submit an authenticated marriage certificate, translated into Arabic by a certified official.
In some cases, a Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor two wives if he meets certain terms set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
A daughter can be sponsored up to any age if she is unmarried, and sons can be sponsored up to the age of 18 – unless studying abroad, when the son can be sponsored up to the age of 21. New graduates are offered a one-year residence visa, with a one-off fee of Dh100, though that will be extended to two years soon.
Proof must be provided of education, and a deposit must be placed with the Directorate. The student must enter the UAE once every six months for the visa to remain valid.
Step-children can be sponsored if accompanied by a no-objection letter from the child’s biological parent.
Who Can you Sponsor for a UAE Family Visa?
It is easier for a male expatriate to sponsor his family members to the UAE than it is for a woman. If you are a man who is on the UAE on a Residence Visa, you can bring the following family members on a Family Visa to the UAE:
- Your wife. If you are a Muslim resident, you may also sponsor two wives but you must meet certain terms set out by the GDRFA.
- Your sons. You can sponsor your sons only if they are 18 or under. If the sons are over 18, you can still sponsor them but only if they are students, and only up to the age of 21. Additionally, if the sons are over 18, they must enter the UAE at least once every six months if studying abroad otherwise their UAE visa will be canceled.
- Your daughters. You can sponsor your daughters only if they are unmarried.
How long is a UAE Family Visa valid?
A Family Visa for the UAE can be issued for 1, 2, or 3 years and can be renewed at least thirty days before expiry. Family Visas are dependent on the sponsor, so if the sponsor’s visa expires or is canceled, then the Family Visas will also be void. However, dependent family members get a 30-day grace period during which time they may see if they can get their own Residence Visa renewed.