Family and Dependent Visa Services in Dubai
Government-Authorised Processing for Spouse, Children and Parent Sponsorship
A family visa in Dubai allows UAE residents earning at least AED 4,000 per month (or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided accommodation) to sponsor their spouse, children and, under higher thresholds, parents for lawful residency. The process is regulated by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and its Executive Regulations under Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022.
EGSH processes the complete family visa application as an authorised Amer Centre, from eligibility verification and document compliance through to entry permit issuance, in-country status change, medical fitness coordination, Emirates ID registration and final residence visa stamping. All submissions are made through official GDRFA and Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) channels.
- Authorised Amer Centre
- VIP service without queues
- Official government-regulated fees
According to the GDRFA, in-country family visa processing is typically completed within 3–5 working days from the date of complete submission, subject to medical and Emirates ID timelines.
Apply for a Dependent Visa in the UAE
Officially regulated fees
No hidden charges
Queue-free service
VIP support at no extra cost
From AED 436
How to Apply for a Family Visa in Dubai
Complete Your Family’s Residency Process in Four Steps
01
Visit EGSH
Visit EGSH during working hours for queue-free assistance or book your appointment online. A consultant confirms your sponsorship eligibility and required documents.
02
Document Verification
EGSH verifies all sponsor and dependent documents against GDRFA requirements, including attested relationship certificates, salary evidence, tenancy registration and passport validity.
03
Application Submission
Your application is submitted through the official GDRFA Dubai system, including the entry permit or in-country status change request, and all supporting immigration forms.
04
Receive Your UAE Residence Visa
Once medical fitness, Emirates ID biometrics and the status change are finalised, the dependent receives a valid UAE residence visa without leaving the country.
Visit EGSH for VIP Service Without Queues
You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.
Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai
Operating hours
Monday–Thursday, Saturday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am–12:00 pm, 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Documents Required for a Family Visa in Dubai
Prepare All Mandatory Documentation for Compliant Authority Submission
Dependent Identification Documents
Original passport with at least six months' validity for each dependent, recent passport-size photographs meeting ICP standards, and proof of legal status within the UAE at the time of application.
Sponsor Identification and Status
A valid passport, active UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, salary certificate or attested labour contract confirming the minimum income threshold, and a registered Ejari tenancy contract.
Attested Relationship Documents
Marriage certificate for spouse sponsorship or birth certificate for children, attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of issue and legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).
Medical and Emirates ID Prerequisites
Completion of a mandatory medical fitness test at a Dubai Health Authority (DHA)-approved centre for dependents aged 18 and above, and Emirates ID application with biometric enrolment for all applicants aged 15 and above.
Take a 3D Tour of EGSH
Why Choose EGSH for Family Visa Services
Legal Accuracy, Fast Processing, and Reduced Conflict
VIP Service
Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.
Affordable Fees
Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.
All Services in One Place
Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.
One-Visit Completion
Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.
What Is a Family Visa in Dubai
A family visa in Dubai, also referred to as a dependent visa, is a residence permit issued to eligible family members sponsored by a UAE resident. The visa is processed through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 and Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022.
The legal framework permits UAE residents to sponsor immediate family members provided they meet income, accommodation and documentation requirements established under federal residency regulations. The system operates on an income-based eligibility model: any resident holding a valid UAE residence visa, whether employment-based, investor, partner or self-sponsored, may act as a sponsor if the financial threshold is satisfied. Job title or profession is no longer a condition for family sponsorship.
Who Can You Sponsor for a Family Visa in Dubai
Spouse
A resident may sponsor a husband or wife for a family residence visa. The application requires an attested marriage certificate legalised through the UAE Embassy and MOFAIC. EGSH also provides a dedicated spouse residence visa in the UAE service for applicants who require spouse-specific procedural guidance.
Children — Sons and Daughters
Under the 2022 visa reforms introduced through Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, the age limit for sponsoring sons was raised from 18 to 25 years. The current rules are as follows:
- Sons may be sponsored up to the age of 25. Sons aged 18 to 25 must provide proof of full-time university enrolment.
- Unmarried daughters may be sponsored at any age: there is no upper age limit, and sponsorship eligibility continues for as long as the daughter remains unmarried.
- Children of determination (persons with special needs) may be sponsored regardless of age or gender.
- All dependents aged 18 and above must complete a mandatory medical fitness test. Emirates ID biometric registration is required for applicants aged 15 and above.
For newborns born in the UAE, a separate newborn residence visa process applies, which must be completed within 120 days of birth.
Parents
Parent sponsorship requires a significantly higher income threshold than spouse and child sponsorship. Under the standard route through GDRFA, the sponsor must demonstrate a minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000. A humanitarian residence route is also available with a lower threshold of AED 10,000 per month. Both parents must be sponsored together unless one parent is deceased, in which case a death certificate must be provided. A refundable security deposit of AED 2,500 per parent is typically required, and mandatory medical insurance must be arranged before the residence permit is issued.
Who Can Act as Sponsor
Both male and female UAE residents may sponsor family members provided they hold a valid residence visa (employment, investor, partner, freelance or self-sponsored) and meet the applicable salary threshold. The minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse and children is AED 4,000 per month or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided accommodation.
When a mother sponsors her children, GDRFA may require a notarised and attested no-objection certificate (NOC) from the father. The sponsor must hold a registered Ejari tenancy contract reflecting suitable accommodation. Sponsorship eligibility lapses immediately if the sponsor's own visa expires, is cancelled or falls outside the legal grace period.
Changing a Visit Visa to a Family Visa Inside the UAE
When a dependent is already in the UAE on a valid visit visa, visa-on-arrival, cancelled visa or within the permitted grace period, the sponsor may convert the dependent's status to a residence visa without the dependent leaving the country. This in-country process involves issuing an entry permit within the UAE, completing a GDRFA status change, coordinating medical testing and Emirates ID registration, and finalising residence visa stamping.
The visit visa must remain valid or the dependent must still be within the authorised grace period throughout the processing window. If the visit visa expires before the entry permit is approved, the application may be rejected and overstay fines may apply.
Family Visa Application Process in Dubai
The family visa process involves several sequential stages, each administered by a different authority.
Step 1 — Eligibility Verification and Sponsor File
EGSH confirms the sponsor's eligibility against GDRFA criteria. If the sponsor has not previously sponsored dependents in Dubai, a sponsor file must be opened with GDRFA before any application can be submitted.
Step 2 — Entry Permit or Status Change
If the dependent is outside the UAE, an entry permit is issued through GDRFA or ICP. If the dependent is already present in the UAE, a status change is processed internally, converting the current visa type to a residence-linked entry permit.
Step 3 — Medical Fitness Test
All dependents aged 18 and above must undergo a medical fitness examination at a DHA-approved centre. Results are typically processed on the same day.
Step 4 — Emirates ID and Biometric Registration
An Emirates ID application is submitted for the dependent. Biometric enrolment is mandatory for applicants aged 15 and above.
Step 5 — Residence Visa Stamping
After medical clearance and Emirates ID processing, GDRFA finalises the in-country status change and issues the residence visa. Since 2022, residency is confirmed digitally; the Emirates ID serves as official proof of residence. For further details on the stamping stage, EGSH provides a dedicated family visa stamping in Dubai service.
Family Visa Cost in Dubai
The cost of obtaining a family visa in Dubai depends on the dependent's age, whether the application is processed from inside or outside the UAE, the visa duration and individual medical or Emirates ID requirements. The process involves government fees payable to GDRFA, ICP and DHA-approved medical centres.
Key fee components include the sponsor file opening fee (a one-time charge per sponsor), the entry permit fee, the in-country status change fee (applicable when the dependent is already in the UAE), the residence permit issuance fee, the Emirates ID application and biometric fees, the medical fitness test fee (for dependents aged 18 and above), and Knowledge Dirham and Innovation Dirham charges.
According to the GDRFA, the visa fee for a dependent inside the country is AED 1,035, while for a dependent outside the country the fee is AED 365. Additional Amer Centre service charges, Emirates ID fees and medical fitness costs are applied separately and vary based on visa duration and the dependent's age.
All fees are government-regulated and paid through official channels. EGSH provides a full itemised cost breakdown before processing. Fees referenced on this page are current as of the date of publication and are subject to change by the relevant authorities.
For a comprehensive per-member fee breakdown, refer to the detailed guide on Dubai family visa costs per member.
Dependent Visa Requirements and Documents — Detailed Breakdown
Sponsor Documents
The sponsor must provide a valid passport with at least six months' remaining validity, a copy of the active UAE residence visa, a valid Emirates ID, a salary certificate or attested labour contract confirming the minimum income (AED 4,000 per month or AED 3,000 plus accommodation for spouse and child sponsorship; AED 20,000 for parent sponsorship), an Ejari tenancy contract registered in the sponsor's name, and a UAE IBAN number required for GDRFA processing.
Dependent Documents — Spouse
A valid passport with at least six months' validity, a passport-size photograph on a white background meeting ICP standards, a marriage certificate attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of issue and legalised by MOFAIC, and a medical fitness certificate from a DHA-approved centre (if aged 18 and above). For a detailed overview of spouse visa requirements in Dubai, refer to the dedicated guide.
Dependent Documents — Children
A valid passport with at least six months' validity, a passport-size photograph meeting ICP standards, a birth certificate attested by the UAE Embassy and legalised by MOFAIC, active UAE health insurance, a university enrolment letter (required for sons aged 18 to 25), a medical fitness certificate (required for dependents aged 18 and above), and a notarised and attested NOC from the father if the mother is the sponsor.
Common Issues and Delays in the Family Visa Process
Delays frequently occur when relationship documents (marriage or birth certificates) are not properly attested or contain mismatched personal details between the sponsor and the dependent. GDRFA may place applications on hold when the dependent's previous visa status is unclear, expired beyond the grace period or when the cancellation has not been correctly recorded in the system.
Applications may be rejected if the sponsor's salary information in the GDRFA or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) system does not match the minimum income requirement, if the sponsor's own visa is under renewal or pending modification, or if the Ejari registration does not reflect the sponsor's current address. Incomplete medical fitness reports and inconsistent passport information also commonly delay processing.
Status-change failures occur when the dependent leaves the UAE during processing or when the visit visa expires before the in-country entry permit is approved. Completing all prerequisites, including document attestation, salary verification and tenancy registration, before submission is essential to avoid procedural interruptions.
Validity, Renewal and Overstay
A family visa in Dubai is typically issued for a period that matches the sponsor's own residence visa, commonly one, two or three years. The dependent's visa cannot exceed the validity of the sponsor's permit. If the sponsor's visa is cancelled or expires, the dependent's visa is also affected, and the dependent must regularise their status or exit the UAE within the applicable grace period.
Renewal must be initiated before the visa expires. The renewal process requires valid tenancy, updated sponsor income verification and, for dependents aged 18 and above, a new medical fitness test.
Overstay fines in the UAE are standardised at AED 50 per day for all visa types. For holders of cancelled residence visas, fines begin accruing after the applicable grace period. Failure to settle overstay fines may result in travel bans, blocked future visa applications or further legal consequences.
For a comprehensive overview of UAE residence visa types and their respective eligibility conditions, refer to the dedicated guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Visa in Dubai
How much does a family visa cost in Dubai in 2026?
The total cost varies by dependent type, visa duration and whether the application is processed from inside or outside the UAE. According to GDRFA, the visa fee for a dependent inside the country is AED 1,035, while for a dependent outside the UAE it is AED 365. Additional costs include the sponsor file fee, Emirates ID application, medical fitness test and Amer Centre service charges. EGSH provides a full itemised breakdown before processing. All fees are government-regulated and subject to change.
What is the minimum salary to sponsor a family visa in the UAE?
The minimum monthly income required to sponsor a spouse and children is AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 if the employer provides accommodation. For parent sponsorship, the standard salary threshold through GDRFA is AED 20,000 per month, with a humanitarian route available at AED 10,000. The income must be evidenced by a salary certificate or attested labour contract.
Can a mother sponsor her child for a residence visa in Dubai?
Yes. A mother may sponsor her children in the UAE provided she meets the minimum income and accommodation requirements. GDRFA typically requires a notarised and attested no-objection certificate from the father. Specific approval is subject to verification by GDRFA or ICP.
What is the age limit for sponsoring a son in the UAE?
Sons may be sponsored up to the age of 25 under the rules introduced by Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022. Sons aged 18 to 25 must provide proof of full-time university enrolment. Sons who are persons of determination may be sponsored regardless of age.
Is there an age limit for sponsoring a daughter in the UAE?
There is no age limit for sponsoring an unmarried daughter. Sponsorship eligibility continues for as long as the daughter remains unmarried. Once married, the daughter must obtain residency through her spouse or an independent visa route.
How long does the dependent visa process take in Dubai?
In-country processing through an authorised Amer Centre is typically completed within 3–5 working days from the date of complete submission. The timeline may vary depending on medical test clearance, Emirates ID processing and the completeness of the submitted documentation. Final approval rests with GDRFA.
What happens if I do not renew my dependent visa on time?
Overstay fines in the UAE are standardised at AED 50 per day for all visa types. Fines begin accruing after the applicable grace period. Failure to regularise the visa status may result in travel bans or blocked future applications. Sponsors should initiate the renewal process before the visa expiry date.
Do children under 18 need a medical fitness test for a dependent visa?
No. Medical fitness testing is mandatory only for dependents aged 18 and above. The test must be completed at a DHA-approved centre, and the results are submitted electronically to GDRFA.
Can I sponsor my parents on a family visa in Dubai?
Yes, subject to higher eligibility requirements. The standard route requires a minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000 through GDRFA. A humanitarian residence route is available with a threshold of AED 10,000. Both parents must be sponsored together unless one is deceased. A refundable security deposit of AED 2,500 per parent and mandatory medical insurance are also required.
What documents are needed for a child’s family visa in Dubai?
Required documents include a valid passport with at least six months' validity, an attested birth certificate (UAE Embassy plus MOFAIC legalisation), a passport-size photograph, and active UAE health insurance. For sons aged 18 to 25, a university enrolment letter and medical fitness certificate are additionally required. If the mother is the sponsor, a notarised NOC from the father must also be provided.
Can I convert a visit visa to a family visa without leaving the UAE?
Yes. A status change allows a dependent to transition from a visit visa to a residence visa within the UAE. The dependent must remain legally in the country, on a valid visit visa, visa-on-arrival or within the permitted grace period, until the residence visa is issued.
Can holders of a Golden Visa sponsor family members?
Yes. Holders of a [Golden Visa for property investors](https://egsh.ae/services/golden-visa-for-Investors) may sponsor immediate family members, including a spouse and children. Under the 10-year Golden Visa, children may be sponsored regardless of age, unlike the standard 2-year investor visa which follows general GDRFA age limits. The sponsor’s own residency must be fully activated before dependent applications can be submitted.
Rated 4.9 on Google Based on 100+ Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say About Us
Visit Our Centre
Phone
Working Hours
Disclaimer: The information on this page is current as of the date of publication and is provided for general guidance only. Government fees, processing times, eligibility criteria and procedural requirements are subject to change by the relevant authorities, including GDRFA Dubai and ICP. EGSH submits and processes applications through official government channels but does not issue approvals, influence authority decisions or guarantee application outcomes. Applicants are advised to verify all requirements with the relevant authority before proceeding.

































































































































