Spouse Visa Requirements in Dubai: Documents and Process

What Is Sponsoring a Spouse in Dubai

In Dubai, a “spouse visa” is essentially a family residence visa issued under the “entry permit for residence without work – family sponsorship” category, which is then converted into a residence permit by GDRFA Dubai. The visa allows the sponsored husband or wife to reside legally in the emirate as a family member of a resident sponsor; it does not, in itself, authorise employment, which requires a separate work permit and, where relevant, residence sponsorship by an employer or free zone.

Expatriate residents who are already holding valid UAE residence visas as employees, professionals, or investors can usually sponsor their husband or wife if they meet minimum income and accommodation standards and can prove their legal marriage through properly attested and, where necessary, Arabic‑translated certificates. GDRFA applies these rules at the time of application and may request additional documents or clarifications depending on the individual file, so applicants should always verify the latest requirements directly with GDRFA Dubai or through an Amer service centre.

The spouse visa journey generally follows a predictable flow: the sponsor confirms eligibility, opens a sponsor file (for first‑time family sponsorship), applies for an entry permit, the spouse enters Dubai (or adjusts status if already inside), completes medical fitness and Emirates ID procedures, and finally obtains the residence permit. Each of these stages has its own document set, fees and time frames, which are explained in detail below.

Eligibility to Sponsor a Spouse in Dubai

Under the UAE’s rules on family sponsorship by expatriates, any foreign resident in Dubai – whether an employee or a business owner – may sponsor a spouse if they hold a valid UAE residence visa and meet financial and housing conditions. GDRFA Dubai treats both men and women equally as potential sponsors, subject to the same core income thresholds and accommodation standards, though in practice, some additional documents may be requested from female sponsors in specific situations.

The basic Dubai family sponsorship salary requirement is a minimum monthly income of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus employer‑provided accommodation. This threshold typically applies when sponsoring a spouse or a spouse and children. The income must be evidenced by a salary certificate (for government, semi‑government, and many free‑zone employees), an attested employment contract and labour data (for private sector workers), or partnership/establishment documents for business owners.

Required Documents for a Dubai Spouse Visa

Dubai spouse visa documents are largely standardised through GDRFA Dubai’s smart services and Amer centres, though the exact combination may vary slightly depending on whether the sponsor works in the government or private sectors, in a free zone, or is an investor. The lists below consolidate the core requirements mentioned in GDRFA’s sponsor file, entry permit and residence permit services, and on the UAE Government Portal.

A high‑level checklist for a sponsoring spouse in Dubai is summarised in the table below:

Documents From the Sponsored Spouse

From the spouse’s side, GDRFA Dubai requires a valid colour passport copy, with a minimum validity of around six months being typical practice for residence‑related applications. The passport must be clear and machine‑readable, and any prior UAE visas or entry stamps should not obscure the biodata page. A recent personal photograph on a white background, meeting standard UAE visa photo specifications, is also compulsory.

If the spouse has held a UAE residence visa before, copies of the previous visa pages and Emirates ID (if available) are often requested to locate and reconcile older records, especially when re‑activating sponsorship or transferring from an employer to family sponsorship. These additional documents help GDRFA ensure that there are no unresolved fines, absconding reports or overlapping residency records.

For the residence permit stage, family members aged 18 or over must also provide an approved medical fitness result from an authorised UAE health centre. The medical centre will, in turn, require its own document set, generally including a passport copy, a passport‑style photograph, a copy of the entry or residence permit, and, in some cases, the sponsor’s passport copy or company trade licence, as outlined in the UAE Government’s medical fitness guidance.

Additional Documents in Selected Cases

Certain situations trigger extra documentation. When the wife is sponsoring her husband or children, GDRFA may request a no‑objection letter from the father (or husband), confirming consent to the sponsorship and residence of the children with the mother. Such letters are generally required to be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified Arabic translation, and may need to be notarised or attested depending on case details.

In humanitarian or exceptional salary cases – for example, where the sponsor’s income is below AED 4,000 but the spouse and children are already inside the UAE with expired or cancelled residencies – GDRFA’s dedicated humanitarian service can request additional evidence. This typically includes bank statements for the last three months, fully attested marriage and birth certificates, and a tenancy contract suitable for family living. Approval in these files is discretionary and often based on a holistic assessment of the family’s circumstances.

Process: From Entry Permit to Residence Visa in Dubai

The process for a spouse visa in Dubai generally follows four sequential stages: opening a sponsor file (if it does not already exist), obtaining a family residence entry permit, arranging the spouse’s entry and medical fitness examination, and issuing the residence permit and Emirates ID. Each service is available through GDRFA Dubai’s smart services portal and mobile app, as well as through Amer and Customer Happiness Centres.

For digital applications, sponsors typically log in using UAE Pass or a username, select the relevant family residence or entry permit service, complete the online form, upload the required documents, and pay the fees electronically. For in‑person applications, they take a token at an Amer centre or a GDRFA Customer Happiness Centre, submit the documents to customer service staff, and pay the fees at the counter. GDRFA processes the application and issues approvals electronically if the file is complete and compliant.

Step 2 – Apply for the Family Residence Entry Permit

The next stage is to obtain an “entry permit for residence without work – family sponsorship” for the spouse. This can be done online via the GDRFA Dubai smart services website or mobile application, or in person at Amer Service Centres and GDRFA Customer Happiness Centres. For online applications, the sponsor logs in, searches for the relevant family entry permit service, fills in the spouse’s details, uploads documents, and pays the fee. For Amer or Customer Happiness Centres, the sponsor submits the application form and supporting documents to the service employee, who enters the data into the GDRFA system.

The core Dubai spouse visa documents for this entry permit include the spouse’s passport copy (valid at least six months) and a recent personal photo, the sponsor’s salary certificate or employment contract, a partnership or establishment contract if the sponsor is an investor, the attested marriage certificate, and relevant housing proof (Ejari or title deed) with, in many cases, the latest DEWA bill. If the wife is sponsoring the husband or children, a no‑objection document from the father may be required. GDRFA may also request existing Emirates IDs or copies of previous visas if the spouse has been a resident before.

All sponsored family members aged 18 or above must undergo a medical fitness examination at an approved UAE government health centre before the residence permit is issued or renewed. According to the UAE Government’s medical fitness guidance, standard documents include one passport‑style photograph, copies of the applicant’s passport pages, a copy of the residence or entry permit, a copy of the sponsor’s passport (for private sponsorship), and, in company sponsorship cases, a copy of the commercial licence. For renewals, an Emirates ID card or Emirates ID application form is also typically required at the medical centre.

Medical fitness tests usually screen for communicable diseases, including tuberculosis and HIV, in line with UAE residency rules. Applicants assessed as medically unfit are not granted residence visas. For certain conditions, such as inactive pulmonary tuberculosis detected on a chest X‑ray, some applicants may be granted a one‑year residence permit subject to treatment and follow‑up at the health authority’s direction. The medical result is transmitted electronically to GDRFA systems and is a mandatory prerequisite for the issuance of a residence permit.

Fees, Validity and Grace Periods for Spouse Residence Visas

GDRFA Dubai spouse visa applications involve several distinct government fee components. While amounts can be updated periodically by the authorities, the main items indicated in the current GDRFA guidance are sponsor file registration, the entry permit, and the residence permit itself, with variations depending on whether the spouse is inside or outside the UAE at the time of application. The table below summarises these key elements.

Special Scenarios: Female Sponsors, Humanitarian Cases and GCC Spouses

Under the current GDRFA family residence services, both male and female expatriate residents in Dubai may sponsor their spouses and children if they meet the salary and housing benchmarks and present all required documents. For a wife sponsoring a husband visa, Dubai requirements are largely the same as for a husband sponsoring a wife, but GDRFA sometimes asks for additional evidence, such as a no‑objection letter from the husband regarding children’s residence arrangements, or other supporting letters, especially in cases where custody or family responsibilities may be unclear.

For sponsors whose income falls below the standard AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation) threshold, GDRFA Dubai provides a specific humanitarian or exceptional family sponsorship channel. This is commonly used when the spouse and children are already in the UAE, and their previous residence permits have expired or been cancelled, creating a risk of overstays and fines. Required documents typically include passport copies for all sponsored persons, fully attested marriage and birth certificates, bank statements for the last three months to evidence real income, and a tenancy contract demonstrating accommodation suitable for the family. Approval in such cases is not automatic and remains entirely at GDRFA’s discretion.

Compliance Tips and When to Seek Advice

To keep the process for spouse visa requirements in Dubai smooth and compliant, sponsors should prepare documents well in advance. That includes ensuring passports are valid, tenancy contracts are up to date and properly registered with Ejari, and marriage certificates and children’s birth certificates (where relevant) are fully attested and, if necessary, translated into Arabic by certified translators. Keeping multiple sets of clear colour copies and scanned PDFs of all documents, including previous visas and Emirates IDs, helps to respond quickly if GDRFA requests additional information.

Time management is critical. Sponsors should plan backwards from the 60‑day validity of the family entry permit and the 60‑day grace period after residence cancellation or expiry, allowing for several days for medical fitness appointments, Emirates ID biometrics and internal approvals. According to GDRFA’s entry permit node, overstay fines of about AED 25 per day can accrue after certain permit expiries, so avoiding gaps between permit stages is financially wise. When the spouse is already inside the UAE, sponsors should factor in the AED 500 “inside the country” change‑of‑status fee when comparing options.

GDRFA smart services and Amer centres provide the official and up‑to‑date lists of required documents and fees, and their instructions supersede any general guidance. Where cases involve exceptional factors – such as income below the normal threshold, blended families, long gaps between visas, or previous overstays – sponsors should consider seeking tailored assistance. Through EGSH, applicants can have their situation assessed, their documents checked for compliance, and their applications typed and submitted to GDRFA, ICP and other authorities with proper follow‑up and status tracking.

FAQ

What documents are required for a spouse visa in Dubai?

The core documents for a spouse visa in Dubai include the sponsor’s passport, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, a salary certificate or an attested employment contract, and the spouse’s passport and a recent photo. GDRFA also requires an attested marriage certificate, an Ejari tenancy contract or property title deed with a recent DEWA bill, and, for adults, an approved medical fitness certificate before issuing the residence permit. Additional items, such as previous visas, Emirates IDs, or no‑objection letters, may be requested depending on the case.

What is the salary requirement for a spouse visa in Dubai?

For most expatriate residents, the salary requirement for a spouse visa in Dubai is at least AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 per month plus employer‑provided accommodation. This threshold normally covers sponsoring a husband or wife and, where applicable, children. GDRFA verifies salary using official salary certificates, labour contracts or partnership documents and may refuse applications that do not clearly meet the required income level unless processed under a specific humanitarian scheme.

How can I sponsor my wife in Dubai if she is already in the country?

If your wife is already inside the UAE, you must first open or update your sponsor file with GDRFA Dubai, then apply for an “entry permit for residence without work – family sponsorship” with an “inside country” status change option. Once the entry permit is approved and the AED 500 inside‑country fee is paid, she must complete the medical fitness examination, and you must submit the residence permit application with all supporting documents via GDRFA smart services or an Amer centre. Overstay fines may apply if her previous visa has already expired or been cancelled, and the grace period has expired.

How can I sponsor my husband in Dubai as a resident woman?

A woman resident in Dubai can sponsor her husband if she holds a valid UAE residence visa, meets the minimum salary requirement, and has suitable housing evidenced by an Ejari certificate or property ownership documents. The process mirrors that for male sponsors: create a sponsor file (if not already existing), obtain a family entry permit, arrange medical fitness and Emirates ID, and then apply for the residence permit. GDRFA may request additional documents, such as a no‑objection document from the husband or father when children are involved, and may assess the file more closely in line with its family residence policies.

How long does it take to get a spouse residence visa in Dubai from start to finish?

Processing times vary, but in straightforward cases where documents are complete, GDRFA often issues the entry permit within a few working days, and the residence permit can follow within the 60‑day validity of that permit once medical and Emirates ID steps are completed. The total duration depends on appointment availability at medical and ICP centres, as well as on how quickly the sponsor submits each stage. Delays typically arise when attestations are incomplete, salary or housing documents are outdated, or when GDRFA requests clarifications on the family relationship.

What is the grace period after the expiry of the Dubai family visa for spouses?

After a Dubai family residence visa for a spouse is cancelled or expires, GDRFA Dubai generally allows a 60‑day grace period to remain in the UAE. During this period, the spouse must either obtain a new residence visa (for example, under renewed family sponsorship or a work sponsor), change status to another permitted category, or exit the country. Staying beyond the grace period leads to daily overstay fines, and continued non‑compliance can complicate future visa applications.

What are the medical test requirements for a spouse visa in Dubai?

For spouse visa Dubai medical test requirements, all sponsored family members aged 18 or above must undergo a medical fitness examination at an approved government health centre. The applicant typically provides a passport, a passport‑style photograph, copies of the passport pages, a copy of the entry or residence permit, and, depending on the sponsorship type, the sponsor’s passport, trade licence, and Emirates ID. Applicants found medically unfit are not granted residence, while those with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis may receive a one‑year residence permit subject to mandatory treatment and periodic follow‑up.

What are the main Dubai spouse visa fees and charges?

The main Dubai spouse visa fees and charges include AED 200 (plus VAT, Knowledge and Innovation fees) for the family entry permit, around AED 200 for the residence permit issuance, and AED 200 (plus VAT and surcharges) for opening a sponsor file in first‑time cases. If the spouse is in the UAE, an additional AED 500 “inside country” fee applies to both entry and residence stages, and GDRFA estimates the approximate total entry permit package at around AED 1,035 inside and AED 365 outside the country. Fees increase by AED 100 for each additional year when the residence validity exceeds 2 years and may change, so current schedules should always be confirmed with the GDRFA or Amer centres.

This article is intended to provide general information based on official UAE sources, and does not constitute personalised legal advice. Before acting, applicants should verify the current rules and fees directly with the relevant authority or an authorised service centre.