The UAE family visa allows expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates to sponsor their close family members, such as their spouses and children, to live with them in the country. This visa provides a way for families to stay together in the UAE, ensuring that individuals with legal residence status can reunite with their loved ones. The rules and requirements for obtaining a UAE family visa have evolved significantly in recent years, making the process more accessible to a broader range of expatriates. If you’re considering sponsoring your family to join you in the UAE, it’s essential to understand the visa rules, requirements, and associated costs.
UAE Family Visa Rules: Overview
In 2019, the UAE relaxed many of the restrictions surrounding the family visa process. The country no longer ties family visa eligibility to a specific profession, which significantly broadened the scope for expatriates to bring their families over. However, certain conditions still apply in order for expatriates to qualify as sponsors for their family members. These conditions are designed to ensure that the sponsor has the necessary financial resources and living arrangements to support their family.
To sponsor family members, expatriates must have a valid residency status in the UAE. This could be through employment, investment, or self-employment. Additionally, the sponsor must meet certain income requirements, which vary depending on whether they are sponsoring a spouse, children, or other dependents.
UAE Family Visa Requirements: Key Criteria
To sponsor your family for a residence visa in the UAE, several essential requirements must be met. These include financial thresholds, legal residency status, and the provision of supporting documents. Below is a detailed look at the primary UAE family visa requirements:
1. Legal Residency Status
The sponsor must be a legal resident of the UAE, which means they should hold a valid residency visa. Whether the sponsor is employed by a company, self-employed, or has secured an investor visa, this is a crucial requirement. Additionally, the sponsor must ensure that their travel documents, such as passports and residency permits, are up to date.
2. Minimum Salary Requirement
In order to sponsor a family member, the sponsor must earn a minimum salary. For sponsoring a spouse and children, the minimum salary requirement is typically AED 4,000 per month. Alternatively, if the sponsor’s salary is AED 3,000, they must also provide accommodation for the family, proving they can support them financially.
3. Health and Medical Fitness
All applicants for family residency visas must undergo a medical fitness test. This applies to the sponsor as well as the family members they wish to bring into the country. The test ensures that the applicants do not have any contagious diseases or conditions that could pose a health risk to others in the UAE. The medical fitness results are typically available within a few days of testing, and family members who fail the test may not be eligible for the family visa.
4. Housing and Accommodation
A valid tenancy contract is a mandatory requirement when applying for a family visa in the UAE. This ensures that the sponsor can provide a secure and suitable place of residence for their family. The contract must be registered with the relevant authorities and should reflect the actual living conditions of the sponsor. The sponsor will need to present the tenancy agreement as part of the documentation to prove they have adequate housing.
5. Gender Considerations
In the UAE, both men and women can sponsor family members under certain circumstances. Historically, there were restrictions on women sponsoring family members, but recent changes in the law have made the process more flexible. A woman can sponsor her children if her husband is not living in the country or is unable to meet the minimum salary requirement. Women who work in the UAE and meet the salary requirements can also sponsor their spouses.
6. Age Limit for Children
The UAE family visa typically covers children up to the age of 18. However, children who are still studying can be sponsored until they turn 21, provided they meet the necessary requirements. There may also be exceptions for children with special needs, in which case they can remain under the family visa even after reaching the age of 21.
Required Documents for UAE Family Visa
When applying for a UAE family visa, the sponsor must submit several key documents. These documents ensure that the sponsor has the financial and legal standing to support the family members and that the family members meet the necessary criteria. Below is a list of the essential documents:
1. Application Form
The application form is the first step in the visa process. It can be completed either online via the UAE government portals or through authorized typing centers. The application form will request basic details about the sponsor and their family members.
2. Passport Copies
Passport copies of both the sponsor and the family members being sponsored must be submitted. These passports should be valid for at least six months from the application date.
3. Medical Fitness Certificates
The sponsor and all family members must undergo medical tests at approved health centers in the UAE. Once the tests are completed, the medical fitness certificates must be submitted along with the application. These certificates prove that the family members are healthy and fit to enter the country.
4. Proof of Employment and Salary
The sponsor must provide proof of employment, such as a copy of the employment contract, along with a salary certificate issued by the employer. The salary certificate confirms that the sponsor meets the minimum salary requirement to sponsor the family.
5. Marriage Certificate
If the sponsor is applying for a visa for their spouse, an attested marriage certificate must be submitted. If the certificate is not in Arabic, a certified translation will also be required.
6. Tenancy Contract
The sponsor must submit a copy of their registered tenancy contract to show that they have adequate accommodation for their family. The contract must be in the sponsor’s name and should be valid for at least one year.
7. Photographs
Recent passport-sized photographs of the sponsor and all family members must also be submitted.
UAE Family Visa Cost
The cost of a UAE family visa can vary depending on several factors, such as the sponsor’s residency status and the number of family members being sponsored. Some of the key costs associated with the family visa process include:
- Entry Permit: AED 550
- File Opening Charges: AED 300
- Emirates ID (two-year validity): AED 385
- Medical Fitness Test: AED 320
- Visa Stamping: AED 580
- Visa Status Change (if family is already in the UAE): AED 750
These fees can vary slightly depending on the emirate and the specific circumstances. It’s essential for the sponsor to check the official UAE government websites for the most accurate and up-to-date fee structure.
