The United Arab Emirates is a land of opportunities, the dream destination for many professionals looking for stable careers. Not only is it known for the opportunities it has to offer, but also for the political and economic stability. Residents enjoy both civil rights and the liberty to practice religion, making the state a welcoming place.
If you are a foreign national working in the United Arab Emirates and wish to bring your family to the state, you should be aware of the documents required for it. The family visa system in the UAE enables expatriate workers to sponsor the residence of their families in the country. Whether you wish to bring your parents, your spouse, and your children, it is important to know the application steps and eligibility requirements. This guide is going to provide all the necessary information you need about the application process.
Visa for Family in UAE
Family visas in the UAE let expatriate workers live with their families in the country. This lets families reunite and lets them potentially work in the country as well. This visa is for the worker’s children, spouse, and in some cases, parents and other dependent family members. This visa also lets business owners in the country bring their families to live with them. If you’re planning on starting your own business after moving to the UAE, you can consult best business plan Dubai writing services.
Requirement for Sponsorship
It is important to know about the requirements before you apply for the visa. Foreign workers in the UAE with valid visas can sponsor their families to live with them in the country. Furthermore, a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 per month, along with accommodation, is necessary. For the family members who have crossed the age of 18, they need to pass a medical fitness test for HIV and Tuberculosis.
Who can You Sponsor?
For male foreign workers, it is easier to sponsor their family for residence in the country. Here are all the members that can be sponsored:
Spouse:
You can bring your spouse to the country to live with you. An attested marriage certificate in Arabic is required. If you are a Muslim resident, you can even sponsor two wives, only if you meet the terms specified by GDRFA.
Children:
Sons under the age of 18 can be brought to the country. In case they are older than 18, they can be sponsored only if they are students and only up to the age of 25. In case the sons are older than 18, they need to visit the country at least twice if they are enrolled in any institution abroad, or else their visa will be nullified.
In case of children with special needs, they are eligible after crossing the age of 25 without any age limit.
Unmarried daughters are eligible until they get married.
Parents:
These are the requirements for sponsoring parents
- You must sponsor both parents unless one of them has died.
- You must be the sole caregiver for your parents, with no other supporters.
- You must deposit AED 2,500 as a guarantee amount for both parents; this fee may vary, so make sure to consult the relevant immigration department.
- A medical insurance policy for the parents is mandatory.
- Your monthly salary should be AED 20,000 or AED 19,000, including an accommodation of two bedrooms.
- The validity is for one year, and it needs to be renewed annually.
Stepchildren:
In case of stepchildren, a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the biological parent is required. The validity will be for one year, and it can be renewed.
Other Relatives:
Anyone besides immediate family cannot be sponsored under the standard rules. However, exceptions can be made if there is proof of legal guardianship.
The criteria are more or less the same for a business or investor visa. If you’re planning on starting your own venture in the Emirates, it is best to get help from an investor business planner company UAE for your business planning.
Criteria for Women
The UAE also lets foreign working women sponsor their families. Here are the eligibility criteria to apply:
- You can sponsor your husband regardless of his employment.
- Children under the age of 18 are eligible.
- Sons are eligible if they are students.
- Daughters are eligible to be sponsored as long as they are unmarried.
- Your monthly salary must be at least AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 along with accommodation.
- You must have a valid residence visa, a tenancy contract, and a valid Emirates ID.
- You must be working as an engineer or in the healthcare sector. However, exceptions can be made if your salary is sufficient to sponsor your family.
- If you are married and your husband can sponsor the children, you cannot do it yourself. The husband must do it.
Required Documents
Sponsoring Wife and Children
If you want to apply for a family visa for your wife and children as a male worker in the UAE, the documents you will need to submit are:
- Your residency visa and Emirates ID.
- A copy of your passport.
- Your job contract or salary certificate that is not older than one month before applying.
- A marriage certificate.
- Children’s birth certificates.
- Copies of the wife’s and children’s passports.
- Documents to prove legal guardianship for the children (mostly a court order)
- A medical insurance certificate for both wife and children is not mandatory for a visa application, but it is preferred for staying in the country.
- Passport photos of you and the members you want to sponsor.
Sponsoring Full Family as a Woman
If you’re a woman working in the Emirates, to apply for a family visa, you’ll need an additional certificate, which is the father’s permission. This is a NOC issued by the Dubai Court.
If you want to apply for your children, you will require the permission of the father (NOC) or his death certificate if he has passed away. In case of divorce, you will need a court certificate stating that you are the only custodian of the children.
Steps for Applying :
The application process is very simple. It can be done both online and with the help of the embassy. Here’s what you need to do
Gather Required Documents
Keep all the necessary documents ready for both yourself and your family members. This will ensure a smoother process.
Entry Permit
An entry permit lets foreign citizens enter and reside in the emirate for a set duration. The required documents and original Emirates ID need to be submitted for this. The process usually takes around five business days.
Change of status
In case your family is already in the country on a visit visa, you will have to apply for a change of status. This is going to change their status from tourists to residents. If they are not in the Emirates, there is a limit of 2 months for them to enter the country under this permit and apply for resident status. If they do not visit within 60 days, a new entry permit will be required.
Submission
Next, you need to submit the application form with the required documents and pay the fee.
Renewal
The validity of family visas in the UAE can be for one to three years. It needs to be renewed on time. Keep in mind that the Emirates ID needs to be renewed as well. Here is what you’re going to need to do to get them renewed
- Consult the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. This can be done online and in person.
- Fill out the application form and submit it with the required documents.
- Pay the fees, you will have to pay AED 100 for the application, AED 100 for issuance for each year. An additional fee of AED 150 will be charged if you are using ICP. In case you are applying through GDRFA, you may have to pay AED 200.
- Submit the application
In Case of Ineligibility
If you are ineligible to apply for a family visa in the UAE, here’s what you can do to become eligible.
Try to increase your salary, since income is a key criterion. You can do this by getting a promotion, switching jobs, or negotiating for a housing allowance.
You can also become eligible to hold an investor or partner visa if you start a business in the Emirates. This is going to help you bring your family to the country. You can find business proposal writing websites if you are planning a startup in the Emirates or are expanding an already established one. This is going to increase your income as well as the chances of approval.
Cancellation
In case the sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the family’s visa will be cancelled as well. However, there is a time period of six months in which another application for a new residence permit can be submitted. Fines may be charged if it isn’t renewed or you fail to leave the country during this period.
How Much Does It Cost To Sponsor A Family Visa In The UAE?
It depends on your visa duration. If the insurance is included and other service charges as well, then it might add some extra dirhams to the overall cost. Typically, the cost ranges from AED 3,500 to AED 6,000 per person. It includes the cost of entry permit, medical tests, Emirates ID, visa stamping, and more.
Conclusion
The family visa policies in the UAE allow foreign employees to live with their families in the country. This allows families to stay together and enjoy a higher standard of living along with a stable income. By following the instructions in this guide, you can easily apply for a family visa for your children and spouse. Ensure that you provide all the required documents and renew your visa when the expiration date is approaching to avoid any issues.