For a long time, the rules around family sponsorship in the UAE have been a bit of a grey area, especially for women. Can you bring your husband with a spouse visa? What about your kids with a family visa? Or is sponsorship still something only men are allowed to do? Recent changes to the law are shaking things up, and if you’re a working woman in the UAE, these updates are worth knowing. Keep reading to find out what are the new changes made to UAE residency rules for women.
Also read: Making These 4 Mistakes With Your Emirates ID Can Land You Fines Of Up To AED 20,000!
Can A Wife Sponsor Her Husband In Dubai?
The short answer is yes, a wife can sponsor her husband in Dubai and other UAE emirates. But to be eligible as a sponsor, you’ll need to show financial stability first. The current rule is a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000–3,500 if your company provides accommodation. In some cases, certain job categories or emirate-specific rules may require a higher income. Meaning sometimes the minimum amount can go up to AED 8,000–10,000 plus accommodation. It’s always best to double-check with the authorities in your emirate as to not get this required amount wrong.
Documents Required For Family Visa Sponsorship In UAE
This part may sound overwhelming, but once you know the checklist, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Here’s what you’ll have to gather:
- Application form: Complete it online or at a registered typing centre. One form per family member for the Emirates ID.
- Passport copies: Yours, your husband’s, and your children’s.
- Your Emirates ID: A must-have for sponsorship.
- Medical clearance: Required for husband or children aged 18+.
- Salary certificate: Showing your monthly income.
- Employer or bank statements: Optional but helpful.
- Marriage certificate: Must be notarised in your home country and attested by UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Birth certificate (for children): Attested and translated into Arabic.
- NOC from husband: Especially needed if you’re sponsoring children.
- Employment contract: Attested via Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, or a salary certificate if you work in a free zone.
- Tenancy contract + Ejari: To prove your place of residence.
- Passport photos: Typically 3 per person.
Step-By-Step Application Process
Once your documents are ready, the process unfolds in a few stages. First, you submit the application to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai or the ICP in other emirates. Depending on where you live, this can be done online, in person, or through typing centres and Amer Centres.
Next comes the medical fitness test. This includes a blood test and chest X-ray at approved UAE clinics or hospitals to check for contagious diseases. Once they clear this step, your family members can apply for their Emirates ID, where they’ll need to give biometric details like fingerprints and a photo.
After that, the residency visa will be stamped into their passports. The validity usually matches the sponsor’s visa, so expect 1 to 3 years. Once the stamping is done, congratulations – your husband and children are officially UAE residents under your sponsorship.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of family visas in the UAE can vary depending on the emirate, the type of visa, and whether your family is applying from inside or outside the country.
In Dubai, the GDRFA lists fees like AED 200 for the residence permit, AED 10 each for knowledge and innovation fees, AED 500 for in-country applications, and AED 20 for delivery. Plus, if your visa is for more than two years, there’s an extra AED 100 charged for every additional year.
Through the ICP, the breakdown includes AED 100 for the application, AED 100 per year for issuance, and AED 100 for eChannel services.
At Amer Centres, the total cost is usually around AED 3,500 per person if the family is already inside the UAE, while it’s closer to AED 2,500 if they are applying from outside. This usually covers processing, medical tests, and Emirates ID services. Depending on health insurance, document attestation, and other add-ons, the total amount can sometimes reach AED 5,000 or more for a family visa cost in the UAE.
Reuniting Families Made Easier
Women in the UAE finally have the same right as men to sponsor their husbands and children, and while the process involves paperwork and costs, it’s designed to be clear and manageable. With the right salary, documents, and a little patience, you can reunite your family and give them the comfort of living with you in the UAE.
