Family Visa Process in UAE: Step-by-Step Guide
Family Visa Process in UAE: Step-by-Step Guide
One of the most rewarding steps for expatriates living and working in the UAE is bringing their family to join them. The UAE family visa allows eligible residents to sponsor their spouse, children, and in some cases parents to live in the country. Here is everything you need to know about the family visa process.
Who Can Sponsor a Family Visa?
To sponsor a family visa in the UAE, you must:
- Hold a valid UAE residence visa
- Meet the minimum salary requirement (typically AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 with accommodation provided by the employer)
- Have a suitable accommodation for your family
The following family members can generally be sponsored:
- Spouse (husband or wife)
- Children (sons up to age 18, daughters until marriage regardless of age in most cases)
- Parents (subject to additional requirements and approvals)
Documents Required for Family Visa
For the Sponsor (You):
- Valid UAE residence visa
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy
- Salary certificate or employment contract showing monthly income
- Tenancy contract (Ejari-registered) showing accommodation
For the Spouse:
- Original passport
- Marriage certificate (attested by UAE Embassy in home country and UAE MOFA)
- Passport-size photographs
For Children:
- Original passport
- Birth certificate (attested by UAE Embassy in home country and UAE MOFA)
- Passport-size photographs
Step-by-Step Family Visa Process
Step 1: Document Attestation
Before starting the visa process, all foreign documents — including marriage certificates and birth certificates — must be properly attested. This involves authentication by the home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE Embassy in the home country, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).
Step 2: Apply for Entry Permit
Submit an application for an entry permit through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in your emirate — either online, via an authorized typing center, or through the GDRFA app.
Once approved, an entry permit valid for 60 days is issued, allowing your family members to enter the UAE.
Step 3: Family Members Travel to UAE
Your family members travel to the UAE using the entry permit. They must enter the country within the permit's validity period.
Step 4: Medical Fitness Test
Once your family arrives in the UAE, they must undergo a medical fitness test at an approved health center. This includes a blood test and chest X-ray to check for communicable diseases.
Step 5: Emirates ID Registration
All family members must register for their Emirates ID by visiting an ICP-approved typing center or service center for biometric data capture.
Step 6: Residence Visa Stamping
Submit the completed medical results, Emirates ID application, and all supporting documents to the GDRFA (or ICA for Abu Dhabi) to process the residence visa stamping in your family members' passports.
Processing Time
The entire family visa process typically takes between 2 to 4 weeks from the time of entry permit application, depending on the emirate and how quickly documents are processed.
Family Visa Fees
Fees vary by emirate and visa duration, but approximate costs include:
- Entry permit: AED 500 – AED 700
- Medical fitness test: AED 300 – AED 500 per person
- Emirates ID: AED 100 – AED 370 per person (depending on validity)
- Residence visa stamping: AED 500 – AED 1,000 per person
Visa Validity and Renewal
Family residence visas are typically issued for 2 or 3 years and must be renewed before expiry. Children's visas are renewed until they reach the age limit for sponsorship.
Important Points to Remember
- All foreign documents must be attested before submission — unattested documents will be rejected
- The sponsor's salary must meet the minimum threshold throughout the sponsorship period
- If the sponsor loses their job or visa status, the family's visas may be affected
- Parents' visas require additional approvals and may have stricter salary requirements
How IITDesk Can Help
The family visa process involves multiple steps, strict document requirements, and coordination between several government authorities. IITDesk offers complete family visa assistance — from document attestation and typing services to medical test coordination and visa application submission.
Our experienced team will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your family joins you in the UAE as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Contact IITDesk today to get started on your family visa application.