How a single or married mother can sponsor her child in Dubai
Not only does the UAE provides a robust business environment but it also offers a family-oriented lifestyle, with equal opportunities for men and women. The country’s laws also allow expatriate women to sponsor their children’s residence visas, whether they are an employee in the private sector or own a business in the free zone. So if you’re an expat mother interested in sponsoring a child in Dubai, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve compiled comprehensive information on the eligibility criteria, necessary documents and charges for mothers to sponsor their children in Dubai.
Can a mother sponsor her child in Dubai?
Yes, expat mothers can sponsor their child’s residence visa in Dubai. According to the new family visa rules, mothers looking to sponsor children in Dubai must earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,500 plus accommodation provided by the employer.
If they meet this minimum salary requirement, expat mothers will be eligible for sponsoring a child in Dubai. You can refer to our guide to learn more about family visa cost in Dubai.
It’s important to note that married, divorced and single mothers can sponsor their child’s residence visa if they can provide the required documents pertaining to the custodial rights of the child in the home country.
However, please remember that the mother is not allowed to sponsor her child’s visa if the father lives in the UAE and meets the requirements for sponsoring a child in Dubai.
Sponsoring a Child as a Divorced Mother in Dubai
Many people also ask, ‘can a single mother sponsor her child in Dubai?’ Yes, a single or divorced mother can sponsor the UAE residence visa for children.
If a woman is divorced and has full custody of the child with the father’s visitation rights, she needs to provide additional documents such as the divorce certificate and/or custody certificate along with the other requirements for the mother sponsoring a child in Dubai. Divorced mothers can sponsor kids in Dubai after the due process.
The process includes attestation of all documents from the UAE Embassy in the home country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. All documents have to be translated into Arabic (legal translation).
Documents required to sponsor a child in Dubai by the mother
When the mother is the sponsor, a child’s UAE residence visa requirements are slightly different. Here are some of the documents for sponsoring a child in Dubai in 2022:
- The salary certificate (if the sponsor works in a free zone or government sector) or labour contract (if the sponsor works in the private sector)
- Ejari Tenancy contract or proof of property ownership
- IBAN number
- Original Emirates ID of the sponsor
- Passport copies of the sponsor and sponsored child
- Photo of the sponsored child (passport size against a white background)
- Birth certificate of the sponsored child (attested and Arabic translation)
- In case of divorced single mother: Divorce deed/certificate with related documents (attested by UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation)
- Marriage certificate of the sponsor (attested by UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation)
- Certified no-objection letter from the husband (for married women)
Apart from the aforementioned documents, the applicant is also required to submit an original bank statement of the last three months duly stamped by the bank to where the salary is credited. However, this rule applies to women who aren’t working as a nurse, doctor, engineer or a teacher.
Please note that the no-objection letter from the father in the case of a divorcee mother is one of the most important requirements for a wife sponsoring a child in Dubai. In its absence, the father may request a travel ban on the kids.
What are the applicable costs when the mother sponsors a child in Dubai?
When sponsoring a child in Dubai, mothers will have to pay the applicable fees for the entry permit, visa stamping and Emirates ID. Take a look below at the UAE residence visa fees for children.
Firstly, there will be a charge for opening or registering a new file, typically AED 255. If the child is outside the UAE, the mother will need to apply for an entry permit, which costs AED 488 (without a bank deposit).
If the sponsored child is within the UAE, then the entry permit will cost AED 1,170. Please note that the sponsored child will need to exit and enter the UAE again with the entry permit.
However, mothers sponsoring a child in the UAE can also apply for an in-country change of status, which will cost an additional AED 650.
Following this, expat mothers would need to get the medical fitness test done (if the child is above 18 years old) and apply for an Emirates ID. This procedure should be followed when applying for a residence visa in the UAE. A bank warranty deposit is also required, which could be AED 2,000 to AED 2,500. Please check with the official ICP website before starting the application process.
Please bear in mind that there will be additional charges for the medical testing and Emirates ID application.
Once the application has been processed, the final step in ‘how to sponsor a child in Dubai’ is visa stamping. This will have an additional charge of AED 465 or more.
What is the duration of the UAE residence visa for children when their mothers sponsor them?
The validity of the UAE residence visa for children can be one, two or three years and will depend on the duration of the sponsor’s visa. If the mother’s visa validity is for two years, likely, the child will also get a two-year residence visa.
Where can mothers apply for a UAE residence visa for their children?
For sponsoring a child in Dubai, mothers can submit the UAE residence visa application at Amer centres in Dubai, a semi-government organisation that handles visa-related services. You can find Amer centres in Karama, Al Quoz, Silicon Oasis, JLT, Ibn Battuta Mall and Dubai Investment Park.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the minimum salary for a mother to sponsor her child in Dubai?
Mothers can sponsor their child in Dubai if they earn a minimum of AED 3500 per month with the employer’s accommodation. Or she should earn a minimum monthly salary amounting to AED 4000 without employer accommodation.
Do you need to be in a specific profession to be eligible to sponsor a child in the UAE as a mother?
No, there is no requirement related to a particular profession to be eligible to sponsor a child. However, mothers must submit proof of income, stable residence and other prerequisites associated with child sponsor visa regulations.
Where can I find more information about UAE residence visas for children?
If you would like more information about the process, charges or necessary documents for a mother sponsoring a child in Dubai, you can contact Amer centres at 800-5111 or +971-4-230-0500. Apply online for the visa by visiting the Amer official website in the UAE. The online application is also suitable for anyone applying outside the UAE.
IS THERE A WAY TO CHECK MY UAE VISA VALIDITY?
Yes, you can use the UAE visa check by passport number facility provided by ICA Smart Services.
That concludes our guide to sponsoring a child in Dubai by the mother. As you can see, if you have the required documents and meet the eligibility criteria, it’s an easy process for mothers sponsoring children in Dubai. Make sure to check the latest details with GDRFA Dubai and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) for the latest details and charges.
You may also be interested in our detailed guide on sponsoring your family in the UAE. Find out the requirements for sponsoring your spouse, children or parents for a residence visa in the UAE.
Did you know that men sponsored by their wives in the UAE can also get a work permit? You can learn more about the recent change to the work permit rules for men sponsored by their wives, making it easier for them to find a job in the UAE.
If you’ve found a job in Dubai and would like to move to the city, you will first need to apply for a work visa in Dubai. On the other hand, if you start your own business, you can apply for a Dubai investor visa.