Sponsoring a Family Residence Visa in the UAE

Researched from official sources ยท April 30, 2026

Sponsoring a Family Residence Visa in the UAE

Estimated time

1-3 weeks end-to-end (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, visa stamp); each step takes a few business days

Cost

Multiple ICP/GDRFA fees apply (entry permit, medical fitness, Emirates ID, residence stamp); each is shown on the service card at application

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Bank statements (recent โ€” most ICP/GDRFA applications request 3-6 months)
  • Health insurance policy for each dependant โ€” required for residence stamping
  • Sponsor's previous family-visa cancellations (if applicable)
  • MOFA-attested educational certificates (when sponsoring an unmarried daughter studying abroad over 18)
  • Special-needs medical report (when sponsoring a child with special needs)

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Confirm Sponsor Eligibility

    1. Hold a valid UAE Residence Permit and Emirates ID
    2. Per the UAE Government Portal, monthly salary AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation
    3. Confirm the dependant fits an eligible category (spouse, unmarried daughter, son under 25, or child with special needs)

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: If your salary or accommodation does not meet the federal threshold, ICP/GDRFA will reject the application and the fees are non-refundable. Confirm with HR or your tenancy contract before paying.

  2. 2

    Gather and Attest Documents

    1. Sponsor: Emirates ID, passport with valid Residence Permit, salary certificate, tenancy contract
    2. Dependant: passport (โ‰ฅ6 months validity), recent photographs, marriage or birth certificate
    3. Attest marriage and birth certificates abroad โ€” UAE Embassy in country of issue, then MOFA in the UAE

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Begin attestation early. Per UAE practice, MOFA attestation happens after embassy attestation abroad โ€” building in 2-3 weeks for the chain saves the application from being held up.

  3. 3

    Apply for the Entry Permit

    1. Federal cases: open ICP Smart Services or the UAEICP app, log in via UAE PASS, choose Sponsor Family Residence and apply for an Entry Permit
    2. Dubai cases: use GDRFA Dubai or AMER โ€” choose Issuing an Entry Visa for Residence without Work โ€” Family
    3. Upload sponsor and dependant documents and pay the entry-permit fee

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: Per ICP/GDRFA service cards, missing attestations or low-resolution document scans cause rejection. Re-upload after correction; the previous fee remains valid for the new submission window in most cases.

    ICP โ€” Interactive Services (icp.gov.ae โ†—) GDRFA Dubai โ€” Issuing an Entry Visa for Residence without Work โ€” Family (gdrfad.gov.ae โ†—)
  4. 4

    Bring Dependant to UAE or Apply for Status Change

    1. Outside UAE: dependant travels to the UAE on the issued Entry Permit
    2. Inside UAE on a visit visa: apply for status change via ICP/GDRFA to convert directly without exit
    3. Activate the Entry Permit (typically by entering the UAE or by paying the activation fee for status change)
  5. 5

    Complete Medical Fitness and Emirates ID

    1. Book the medical fitness test at an approved centre โ€” required for dependants aged 18 and over per the UAE Government Portal
    2. Apply for Emirates ID via ICP for each dependant โ€” children under 15 are linked to a parent's record
    3. Provide biometrics at the Emirates ID typing centre when scheduled

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Premium tracks at medical-fitness centres reduce processing to a single day; standard service usually takes 2-4 working days depending on emirate.

  6. 6

    Stamp the Residence Visa

    1. Submit the medical fitness certificate, Emirates ID receipt, and dependant's passport to ICP or GDRFA for the residence stamp
    2. Pay the residence-stamp fee per the ICP/GDRFA service card
    3. Receive the residence-stamp confirmation; the Emirates ID arrives by post or pickup at the typing centre

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: If a step is skipped (e.g., medical not yet uploaded), ICP/GDRFA puts the file on hold. Track via the same portal โ€” the dashboard shows which document is missing.

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Entry permit ุฏ.ุฅ0 Online via ICP Smart Services or AMER (Dubai) Fees vary by visa duration (1, 2 or 3 years), standard vs urgent service, and emirate. The exact amount is shown on the ICP or GDRFA service card at application โ€” confirm before paying.
Status change (dependant already in the UAE) (Optional) ุฏ.ุฅ0 Online via ICP / GDRFA Applies when converting a visit visa to a residence visa without leaving the UAE. Fee shown on the service card at application.
Medical fitness test ุฏ.ุฅ0 Card or cash at the medical centre Required for dependants 18 and over per the UAE Government Portal. Fees vary by emirate and standard vs express service โ€” confirm the exact amount with the chosen approved centre.
Emirates ID ุฏ.ุฅ0 Online via ICP at application ICP fee for Emirates ID issuance per dependant aged 15 or over. Fee varies by validity period โ€” shown on the ICP service card at application.
Residence visa stamp ุฏ.ุฅ0 Online via ICP / GDRFA ICP/GDRFA fee for the residence permit stamp/sticker. Varies by visa duration; the exact amount is shown on the service card at application.
Entry permit ุฏ.ุฅ0
Payment:
Online via ICP Smart Services or AMER (Dubai)
Notes:
Fees vary by visa duration (1, 2 or 3 years), standard vs urgent service, and emirate. The exact amount is shown on the ICP or GDRFA service card at application โ€” confirm before paying.
Status change (dependant already in the UAE) (Optional) ุฏ.ุฅ0
Payment:
Online via ICP / GDRFA
Notes:
Applies when converting a visit visa to a residence visa without leaving the UAE. Fee shown on the service card at application.
Medical fitness test ุฏ.ุฅ0
Payment:
Card or cash at the medical centre
Notes:
Required for dependants 18 and over per the UAE Government Portal. Fees vary by emirate and standard vs express service โ€” confirm the exact amount with the chosen approved centre.
Emirates ID ุฏ.ุฅ0
Payment:
Online via ICP at application
Notes:
ICP fee for Emirates ID issuance per dependant aged 15 or over. Fee varies by validity period โ€” shown on the ICP service card at application.
Residence visa stamp ุฏ.ุฅ0
Payment:
Online via ICP / GDRFA
Notes:
ICP/GDRFA fee for the residence permit stamp/sticker. Varies by visa duration; the exact amount is shown on the service card at application.
Total: ุฏ.ุฅ0

FAQ

General

Who can sponsor family members?

Per the UAE Government Portal, expatriate residents holding a valid UAE Residence Permit can sponsor family if their monthly salary is at least AED 4,000 โ€” or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. UAE citizens can sponsor family members at preferential terms; family members of UAE citizens receive a 5-year residence visa per the same portal.

Which dependants can I sponsor?

Per the UAE Government Portal, the dependants eligible for sponsorship include the spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 years old, and children with special needs. Sponsorship of parents and other relatives carries additional conditions and may require higher salary thresholds โ€” confirm with ICP for federal cases or GDRFA for Dubai.

What are the salary requirements?

Per the UAE Government Portal, the sponsor's monthly salary must be AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Different and higher thresholds may apply for visit visas and for women sponsoring husbands and children, depending on emirate and profession.

Do all family members need a medical fitness test?

Per the UAE Government Portal, male and female family members who are 18 and over must undergo and pass medical fitness tests at approved health centres in the UAE. Children under 18 are exempt from the medical fitness step.

Where do I apply?

Per ICP and GDRFA, applications are submitted through ICP Smart Services or the UAEICP app for federal cases (most emirates), or through the GDRFA Dubai portal, the GDRFA app, or AMER centres in Dubai. UAE PASS authentication is supported throughout.

What if my visa is cancelled โ€” what happens to my dependants?

Per the UAE Government Portal, if the sponsor's visa is cancelled, dependants receive a 6-month grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visas to obtain a new residence permit. Use the grace period to either extend on a new sponsor or arrange exit.

What if my dependant is already in the UAE on a visit visa?

Per ICP/GDRFA, you can apply for an in-country status change rather than a fresh entry permit. This avoids exiting and re-entering, but carries the same fee structure and the medical-Emirates-ID-stamp sequence applies once the status change is approved.

Does the family visa allow my dependants to work?

The family residence visa is issued without work rights. To take up employment, the dependant must obtain a separate work permit through MOHRE โ€” see the MOHRE work permit pathway. The family visa itself remains valid alongside the work permit.

After This Process

  • โ†’ Open a UAE bank account for adult dependants โ€” see our UAE bank account guide
  • โ†’ Buy mandatory health insurance for each dependant โ€” required for residence stamping in most emirates
  • โ†’ Renew the family visa before expiry โ€” process mirrors the original sponsorship; build in time for renewals
  • โ†’ Consider Golden Residency โ€” eligible sponsors and family members may qualify for the long-term visa under ICP rules

Sources

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4 sources cited last accessed 2026-04-30

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  1. T1
    The Official Platform of the UAE Government 2026-04-30

    Expatriate residents can sponsor a UAE residence visa for family members provided the sponsor's monthly salary is AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Eligible dependants include the spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 years old, and children with special needs. Male and female family members who are to be sponsored and who have completed the age of 18 need to undergo and pass medical fitness tests at approved health centres in the UAE. If the sponsor's visa is cancelled, dependants receive a 6-month grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visas to obtain a new residence permit. Family members of UAE citizens (spouse, parent, child with foreign passports) receive a UAE residence visa for 5 years.

    u.ae
  2. T1
    Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) 2026-04-30

    ICP operates federal visa and residence services through its Smart Services portal and the UAEICP app, enabling residents to apply for entry permits, residence visas and Emirates ID for sponsored family members. Applications integrate with UAE PASS, the federal Wages Protection System (where salary verification is needed), and approved medical fitness centres.

    icp.gov.ae
  3. T1
    General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai 2026-04-30

    GDRFA Dubai issues entry visas for residence without work for family sponsorship cases under Dubai jurisdiction. Applications go through the GDRFA portal, the GDRFA app, or AMER service centres. The service issues the entry permit; subsequent residence stamping follows after medical fitness and Emirates ID.

    gdrfad.gov.ae
  4. T1
    The Official Platform of the UAE Government 2026-04-30

    An Emirates ID is issued to all UAE residents; the family residence sponsorship process includes a separate Emirates ID application for each sponsored dependant aged 15 or older. Children under 15 receive an Emirates ID linked to a parent.

    u.ae
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