A family visa in Dubai allows eligible UAE residents to sponsor their immediate family members so they can legally live together in the country. It is an important residency option for expatriate professionals, employees, investors and business owners who want to bring their families to the UAE.
With a UAE family visa, eligible residents may sponsor their spouse and children and, subject to additional conditions, their parents or other qualifying dependents. The process can involve eligibility checks, document preparation, entry permits, medical fitness procedures and residence visa formalities.
Amer Smart Lounge provides professional assistance with family visa applications, helping you understand the requirements, prepare supporting documents and navigate the application process through the relevant channels. You can also explore our Amer services for related UAE residency and government transaction support.
A UAE family visa is a residence visa that enables an eligible UAE resident to sponsor qualifying family members to live in the country. It helps expatriate families stay together while meeting the country's residency requirements.
Before applying, the sponsor generally needs valid UAE residency and must satisfy the applicable income, accommodation and relationship requirements. The documents and approvals required depend on the family member being sponsored and the sponsor's circumstances.
Need help with your application? Speak with our team to understand the requirements for sponsoring your spouse, children or other eligible dependents.
Residents must meet the relevant UAE immigration criteria before sponsoring family members. Eligibility is assessed according to residency status, income, accommodation and the relationship with the dependent.
Individuals with a valid UAE residence visa who meet the applicable family sponsorship conditions.
Employees who satisfy the current salary, employment and accommodation requirements applicable to their case.
Eligible business owners, partners and investors who hold a qualifying UAE residence status.
Other qualifying residents may be able to sponsor dependents, subject to the relevant category and authority rules.
Property ownership alone does not automatically establish eligibility for family sponsorship. The applicable residence status and sponsorship requirements must be checked.
An eligible resident may sponsor their legally married husband or wife. A marriage certificate and required attestation may be necessary.
Eligible residents can sponsor dependent children, subject to applicable age limits, status and documentation requirements.
Parent sponsorship may be possible subject to additional income, accommodation, insurance and financial support conditions.
Stepchildren may be eligible under specific conditions and may require additional documents or approvals from the relevant authority.
Eligibility and supporting documents vary by dependent category. Our team can help identify the requirements for your family situation.
The exact checklist depends on the sponsor's visa status and the family member being sponsored. Commonly requested documents include:
Documents issued outside the UAE may need attestation or legal translation. Explore our translation and attestation services for related assistance. Confirm the current checklist for your application before submitting documents.
The application generally involves several stages. Depending on your case, you may also need an entry permit, medical typing and an Emirates ID application. The exact sequence may vary depending on whether the dependent is inside or outside the UAE and the sponsor's residency category.
Check the sponsor's eligibility and prepare the required documents for the family member.
Submit the appropriate entry permit or residency application based on the dependent's location and applicable process.
Complete the required entry or in-country status formalities, as applicable.
Dependents who meet the applicable age requirements must complete the required medical fitness procedures.
Complete the Emirates ID application and any required biometric appointment.
Complete the final residency formalities once the relevant authority has approved the application.
The cost of a family visa in Dubai depends on factors such as the dependent's age, the sponsor's visa category and duration, the application type and the applicable government and service fees.
The following figures are the indicative amounts supplied for this page. Please confirm the current fees and the inclusions with Amer Smart Lounge before applying.
| Description | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| New dependent visa above 18 years — sponsor holding 2-year investor visa | AED 7,132 |
| New dependent visa under 18 years — sponsor holding 2-year investor visa | AED 6,432 |
| Renew dependent visa above 18 years — sponsor holding 2-year investor visa | AED 5,453 |
| Renew dependent visa under 18 years — sponsor holding 2-year investor visa | AED 4,753 |
| New dependent visa above 18 years — sponsor holding 5-year investor visa | AED 5,254 |
| New dependent visa under 18 years — sponsor holding 5-year investor visa | AED 4,118 |
| New dependent visa above 18 years — sponsor holding 10-year investor visa | AED 6,154 |
| New dependent visa under 18 years — sponsor holding 10-year investor visa | AED 5,118 |
| Dependent visa cancellation | AED 505 |
Fees are subject to change and may vary according to the application, visa duration, insurance, medical testing, Emirates ID and other charges. The amounts above are not a guaranteed quotation.
Family visa processing may take around one to three weeks in many cases, but the actual timeframe depends on the application type, document verification, medical test scheduling and government approvals.
Preparing the required documents correctly can help reduce avoidable delays. Timelines are estimates and are not a guarantee of approval by a particular date.
Eligible family members can reside legally in the UAE with their sponsoring resident.
Resident children can pursue schooling in the UAE, subject to school admission requirements.
Family members can access healthcare services subject to applicable insurance and provider requirements.
Eligible family residence permits can be renewed when the relevant sponsorship conditions continue to be met.
Living together can help families maintain their routines and support networks while in the UAE.
Get assistance with documentation and application formalities to make the process easier to navigate.
Family sponsorship applications require the correct documentation and compliance with current UAE immigration requirements. Amer Smart Lounge provides guidance throughout the application journey, helping you understand the requirements relevant to your circumstances.
Whether you want to sponsor your spouse, bring your children to Dubai or understand the additional requirements for parent sponsorship, our team can help you identify the next steps.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need additional visa or residency services alongside your family visa application. Explore these related services from Amer Smart Lounge.
Processing may take around one to three weeks in many cases. The timeframe depends on the application type, document verification, medical testing and relevant authority approvals.
Salary and accommodation requirements depend on the applicable sponsorship rules and the sponsor's circumstances. Confirm the current criteria with our team before applying.
Parent sponsorship may be possible subject to additional requirements, which can include income, suitable accommodation, health insurance and financial guarantees. The relevant authority determines eligibility.
The validity depends on the sponsor's residency category and the permit issued. Family residence permits may be available for different durations under the applicable rules.
Eligible UAE residents can generally sponsor a legally married spouse and qualifying children, subject to the relevant salary, accommodation, documentation and residency requirements.
Yes, an eligible sponsor may apply through the applicable entry permit process. The steps depend on the dependent's circumstances and the current immigration procedures.
Medical fitness requirements depend on age and the applicable residency rules. Our team can help you understand which procedures apply to each dependent.
Renewal is generally possible when the sponsor and dependent continue to meet the relevant requirements. See our visa renewal service for related assistance. Apply within the applicable renewal timeframe and confirm the current fees.
Stepchildren may qualify subject to specific conditions, supporting documents and any required approvals. Check the individual requirements before applying.
Let Amer Smart Lounge help you understand the eligibility criteria, documents, costs and application steps for your family visa in Dubai.
Information on this page is for general guidance. Eligibility, fees, required documents and processing times are subject to current UAE immigration rules and the relevant authority's assessment. Approval is not guaranteed.
Experience priority government services with dedicated support, faster processing, and personalized assistance for all your Amer and visa requirements.
Your information is kept strictly confidential.
Read our Privacy Policy to learn more.
