How to Apply for a UAE Family Visa for Dependents

Foreign nationals living and working in the UAE with a valid Residence Visa may sponsor their dependents to join them through a UAE Family Visa. This visa ensures family members can reside legally in the country. However, strict eligibility, documentation, and procedural requirements must be met. Below is a detailed, expert-level guide to help you apply for a UAE Family Visa smoothly and efficiently.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Applying in Person

Apply for Entry Permit Before Travel
- Sponsors (foreign residents or employers) must first apply for an entry permit for their dependents.
- This can be done through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) online, via mobile apps (Apple or Android), or in-person through licensed typing centers in each emirate (Amer centers in Dubai).
- Applications may also be submitted through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or its eChannel portal.
Submit UAE Family Visa Application
- Once the dependents arrive in the UAE, the sponsor has 60 days from their own Residence Visa issuance or two months from the dependents’ arrival to convert the entry permit into a valid Family Visa.
- Complete and sign the UAE Family Visa application form provided by GDRFA, ensuring all information is accurate.
- Attach all required documents and pay the applicable fees (see fees section below).
Verification and Approval
- Submit the completed form and documents at the GDRFA office of your emirate.
- You will be given a waiting slip for reference. Immigration authorities will evaluate your application and approve the visa if requirements are met.
Collect the Family Visa
- After processing, revisit the GDRFA office with your passport and acknowledgment slip to collect the visa.
- Visa validity typically matches the sponsor’s Residence Visa duration (one to three years), except for parents and adult sons (one year).
Overstay Grace Period
- If a dependent’s visa expires or is canceled, they have 30 days to renew or obtain another valid visa. Failure to comply results in overstay fines and possible legal action.

Eligibility Requirements

For Male Sponsors:

Minimum salary: AED 4,000/month or AED 3,000/month plus accommodation.
Can sponsor:
- Wife (Muslim residents may sponsor two wives under strict GDRFA conditions).
- Sons up to 18 years (or 21 years if enrolled as full-time students and entering UAE every six months).
- Unmarried daughters of any age.
- Parents (must sponsor both unless one is deceased, AED 2,500 deposit per parent, medical insurance, and salary of AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 plus two-bedroom accommodation).
- Stepchildren (requires No Objection Certificate from biological parent, visa valid for one year).

For Female Sponsors:

May sponsor husband and children if:
- Monthly salary is AED 10,000 (or AED 8,000 plus accommodation).
- Employed as an engineer, teacher, or healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, etc.).
- In some cases, women outside these professions may qualify with sufficient salary and DRND approval.
If the husband can sponsor the children, she cannot do so herself.

Note: Same-sex marriages are not recognized in the UAE. All dependents over 18 must pass a medical fitness test at a government-approved health center (screened for HIV and Tuberculosis).

Required Documents

Completed UAE Visa Application Form (online or at a registered typing office).
Passport copies of dependents.
Passport-sized photos of dependents.
Medical clearance certificate (for dependents over 18).
Sponsor’s employment contract or company contract.
Proof of sponsor’s monthly salary.
Legalized marriage certificate.
Proof of accommodation (e.g., registered tenancy contract).
Latest utility bills.

Fees

Sponsor registration file: AED 268.90
Tasheera (wife/children outside UAE): AED 488.90
Tasheera (wife/children inside UAE): AED 1,138.90
Tasheera (parents inside UAE): AED 488.90
Medical test: AED 322.50
Emirates ID (1 Year): AED 250
Emirates ID (2 Years): AED 350
Emirates ID (3 Years): AED 450
Transfer of new residence visa to passport: AED 59.90

Validity

Family visas are issued for 1, 2, or 3 years, depending on the sponsor’s visa duration and job contract.
Dependent visas are automatically canceled if the sponsor’s visa expires or is canceled.

Processing Time

Processing times vary but typically range from 5 to 10 working days, depending on the emirate and workload.

Contact Offices

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) – Abu Dhabi

Address: 12th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Tel: +971 2 4955555 | Fax: +971 2 4955550
Email: [email protected]

GDRFA – Dubai

Address: Al Jaffliya, Bur Dubai Police Station, opposite Jaffliya Metro Station
Tel: 8005111 | +971 4 313 9999
Email: [email protected]

(Additional GDRFA contacts for Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain available upon request.)

Why This Document is Needed

A UAE Family Visa allows foreign residents to legally reunite with and support their dependents, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.

Other Useful Information

Always ensure your labor contract and tenancy agreements are current before applying.
Keep copies of receipts and application references for follow-up.
Overstay fines can be avoided by applying for renewal at least 30 days before expiration.