Are you an expatriate living in the UAE and looking to bring your family over? The UAE government offers provisions for expatriates to sponsor their family members, including spouses, children, and parents, under certain conditions. This process, though straightforward, comes with specific requirements and stipulations. Here’s a simple and comprehensive guide to help you understand how you can sponsor your family members to live with you in the UAE.
Residence Visa for Family Members
Both employers and employees who possess a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor their family members. In a significant shift from previous regulations, the type of profession is no longer a barrier for sponsorship. Now, if you earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, you can sponsor your family, provided they pass a medical fitness examination (for those aged 18 and above).
Key Sponsorship Requirements
- Salary: You must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
- Medical Fitness: Family members aged 18 and above must undergo and pass medical fitness tests at approved health centres in the UAE.
- Special Cases: A mother can sponsor her children under special cases approved by the ICP (Identity and Citizenship Authority).
- Timeline: You have 60 days to apply for your dependents’ residence visa after they enter the UAE on an entry permit.
- Parents Sponsorship: You can sponsor your parents for a year at a time, regardless of your visa’s duration.
- Medical Consideration: People detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are considered medically fit, given they undergo treatment and follow-up.
Also Read: UAE Golden Visa: Who is Eligible and How to Apply in 2024
Sponsoring Your Spouse and Children
To sponsor your wife and children, you need to meet the general sponsorship requirements. For your wife, you must provide an attested marriage certificate (in Arabic or translated to Arabic by a certified translator).
- Sponsoring Two Wives: In strict cases, a Muslim resident may sponsor two wives, subject to ICP’s terms and conditions.
- Daughters: Can be sponsored if they are unmarried, with no age restrictions.
- Sons: Can be sponsored until they are 25. Sons of determination (with special needs) have no age limit for sponsorship.
- Newborns: Must be sponsored within 120 days of birth to avoid fines.
- Stepchildren: Can be sponsored under GDRFA’s conditions, which include a deposit and a no-objection certificate from the biological parent.
Required Documents
To sponsor your wife and children, you’ll need:
- Application form (online or via a registered typing office)
- Passport copies of wife and children
- Photos of wife and children
- Medical clearance certificate for those above 18
- Copy of your employment or company contract
- Salary certificate
- Attested marriage certificate
- Registered tenancy contract
Cancellation and Grace Period
The family’s residence permits are linked to the sponsor’s visa. If the sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the dependents’ visas must also be cancelled. Dependents have a 6-month grace period from the expiry or cancellation date to secure a new residence permit.
Also Read: Emirates ID Renewal: How to Easily Apply for Penalty Exemption
Sponsoring Your Parents
To sponsor your parents, you must sponsor both together unless justified by circumstances like death or divorce. You need to prove you are their sole support and obtain medical insurance for them. In Dubai, for instance, a minimum salary of AED 20,000 is required to sponsor parents’ visas.
15 FAQs
1. Who can sponsor family members for a residence visa in the UAE? Employees and employers with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor their family members.
2. What is the minimum salary requirement to sponsor your family in the UAE? The minimum salary requirement is AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
3. Are there any age restrictions for family members undergoing a medical fitness test? Yes, all family members aged 18 and above must undergo and pass a medical fitness test.
4. Can a mother sponsor her children in the UAE? Yes, a mother can sponsor her children under special cases approved by the ICP.
5. What is the deadline to apply for a dependent’s residence visa after entering the UAE? You have 60 days to apply for your dependents’ residence visa after they enter the UAE on an entry permit.
6. Can I sponsor my parents for a residence visa in the UAE? Yes, residents can sponsor their parents for a yearly residence visa, regardless of the sponsor’s visa duration.
7. Is the type of profession a condition for sponsoring family visas in the UAE? No, the type of profession is no longer a condition for an expatriate worker to sponsor his family visas.
8. What happens if a sponsored family member is found to be medically unfit? Medically unfit individuals will not be granted a residence visa.
9. Under what conditions can a Muslim resident sponsor two wives? In strict cases, subject to ICP’s terms and conditions, a Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor two wives.
10. What are the requirements to sponsor daughters? An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter(s) only if she/they is/are unmarried, with no age restrictions.
11. Until what age can a resident sponsor his sons? A resident can sponsor his sons until they are 25. Sons of determination can be sponsored without age restrictions.
12. What is the procedure for sponsoring newborns in the UAE? A residence visa must be applied for within 120 days of the birth to avoid fines.
13. What documents are required to sponsor a wife and children in the UAE? Required documents include an application form, passport copies, photos, medical clearance certificate for those above 18, employment contract, salary certificate, attested marriage certificate, and registered tenancy contract.
14. What happens if the sponsor’s visa is cancelled? The family’s residence permits must also be cancelled. Dependents are granted a 6-month grace period to obtain a new residence permit.
15. What are the requirements for sponsoring parents in the UAE? The sponsor must provide proof of being the sole support, sponsor both parents together (unless justified otherwise), and obtain medical insurance for them. In Dubai, the minimum salary requirement to sponsor parents is AED 20,000.
This guide aims to simplify the process of sponsoring your family in the UAE, making it easier to bring your loved ones closer. Always ensure to check the latest guidelines and requirements from official UAE government sources or the Amer website, as policies may update.
Related Article: Easy Steps to Apply for a Family Visit Visa in the UAE
