The UAE government announced some landmark changes to its visa rules back in 2019. The UAE Cabinet announced that it was amending the family sponsorship policy for expatriates in the UAE. Following these changes to the UAE family visa rules, the government also announced that residents could sponsor their sons who are 18-years-old. Read on to learn all about the current family visa UAE rules and the processes involved.
Amended UAE family visa requirements
UAE FAMILY VISA RULES
The family visa UAE rules state that the educational background or profession will not be a condition based on which family visas will be handed out.
Instead, the income of the residents looking to sponsor their family visas will be considered. So whether or not you are a manager or a degree holder, you will be allowed to sponsor family members as long as you have the financial means and a valid visa to do so. Before taking the plunge, make sure to check your UAE visa status to know whether you are liable to sponsor your loved ones.
Issuing family visas in Dubai or any other emirate is open to a large bracket of expats in varying professions.
Before the UAE family sponsorship policy amendment of 2019, male residents were required to hold any profession apart from domestic helpers or similar categories. Since 2019, any male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as their wife and children, with just a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
For female residents in Abu Dhabi looking to sponsor their families, the conditions are slightly different. For a woman to sponsor her family, she must hold a residence permit that states she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse, or other profession related to the medical sector. She must also earn a monthly salary not less than AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation.
In Dubai, an employed woman who does not fall under the mentioned categories will be allowed to sponsor their family provided that her monthly income exceeds AED 10,000. She will also be required to ask for permission from the DNRD.
RESIDENCY VISA RULES FOR CHILDREN SPONSORED BY PARENTS
Along with updating the family sponsorship visa in 2019, an amendment was also made to the residency visas for 18-year-old sons sponsored by their parents.
Under the rules, expats can apply for a renewable one-year residence visa for their sons from either the date of completion of the boys’ secondary education or upon reaching 18 years. This new rule is also applicable to those who have just graduated from university, whether inside the UAE or abroad. A bonus for this type of visa is that parents will not have to place bank deposits that amount to AED 5,000. The new family visa UAE price will be AED 100 for first-time issuance and renewal.
Previously, expat residents could only sponsor their sons up to the age of 18, after which they would need to be sponsored by a student visa on providing proof of study in the UAE.
The visa rules remained unchanged for daughters. There is no age limit on how long parents can sponsor their daughters; they can be sponsored until they are married.
The family visa UAE regulations have been well received since they were amended and announced in 2019. The new rules continue to contribute to the stability of the UAE’s economy while also building a cohesive environment for individuals to start a family in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a family visa in UAE?
Employers and employees who work in the United Arab Emirates can sponsor residence visas for their families. Before visa changes were made a few years ago, applicants needed to be from certain professions to apply. Now, the condition is subject to a minimum salary requirement for family visa in UAE.
How much salary is required for a family visa in UAE?
Working professionals can sponsor their families in the UAE, provided they have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation.
What are the UAE family visa requirements?
How to apply for a family visa in UAE? Expatriates can sponsor their families in the United Arab Emirates, provided that they have a residency permit. According to UAE family sponsorship rules, they must also adhere to other eligibility requirements — an earning limit being one of them. Furthermore, they also have to submit the UAE family visa documents required and pay a fee.
Can mothers sponsor their children in the UAE?
The country offers equal opportunities in all aspects for both men and women. Family sponsorship is one of them. For example, single mothers can sponsor their children in Dubai if they earn within the required salary bracket and present certain documents like an Ejari or tenancy contract.
Alternatively, as per recent changes to visa rules, expat students can sponsor families in the UAE.
Can husbands sponsored by wives work in the UAE?
According to UAE family, visa rules 2021, men sponsored by wives now qualify for UAE work permits. Speaking of employment, entrepreneurs will be happy to know that it is now possible to obtain a freelance visa in the UAE.
I want to visit Dubai. What are my options regarding Dubai tourist visas?
Your choice of Dubai tourist visas will ultimately depend on factors like travel requirements and duration of stay. For example, the five-year multiple entry visas can be perfect for those who plan on visiting the emirate regularly during this time. There is also a visa that is exclusive to Indian nationals.
HOW IS THE NEW UAE FAMILY SPONSORSHIP RULES BENEFICIAL FOR EXPATS?
The UAE Government is constantly working towards making the country a place that anyone across the world can call home. In previous years, we saw announcements such as the new retirement law and the 10-year residency visas build a foundation for various professionals to see the UAE as a long-term option.
However, relocating for work can be challenging, especially if you have to do it alone. The new UAE family sponsorship policy will make it easier for expats to move here. So whether it be relocating to Dubai from India or any other country, we can expect to see workers from all professions move to the UAE to settle down. Even for existing expats, the new family sponsorship policy will preserve their interest in working and living in the city.
That’s all we have on the new family visa rules in the UAE. The purpose of amending the UAE visa policies is to attract more skilled workers to the region and promote a healthy living environment for the existing workers in the country.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about the amended UAE family visa rules and found it informative enough. If you like to read other articles on the other UAE’s laws, check out MyBayut’s Rules and Regulations section.
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Leave a Reply
if you are family visa holder you can allowed to searching job in uae tnx
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
If you are sponsored by a family member, you are allowed to look for jobs. However, once you find employment, you will either need to move to the company’s sponsorship or get a labour card confirming your employment status. Kindly note that it is illegal to work in the UAE while you are visiting the city.
Hope this helps and have a great day!
Can a women with manager position sponsor her non working husband and kids?
Hey! As per the UAE Government website, a woman in Dubai can sponsor her family members, if she is employed as an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any other profession related to the medical sector with a monthly salary of AED 10k. Women also need the get special permission from the Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai (DNRD) to sponsor their family in Dubai.
For more information on the process, we suggest you contact the UAE Government on 8005111.
I want to sponsor my husband in UAE I have all the documents required with required attestion also my salary 10K per month but due to some issue I could nt open the bank account now I only have 2 months bank account statement but I have salary certificate so will the visa get approved please help..?
Hi, we would recommend calling on 800-5111 or sending an email to gdrfa@dnrd.ae. They would be able to provide accurate information on this matter. Thank you.
Is tendency is compulsory to apply for my wife visa..
As per the UAE government website, here are the documents you will need to submit to sponsor your wife
Required documents to sponsor wife and children include:
– online application or through a registered typing office
– passport copies of the wife and children
– photos of the wife and children
– medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18
– copy of the husband’s employment contract or company contract
– salary certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary
– legalised marriage certificate
– registered tenancy contract
– latest utility bill.
Hope this helps!
I am a teacher. My current salary is 8k I am living with my eldest son in 2Bhk. My son is unmarried and working in different company in Dubai. The house rental contract is in his name. Can I sponsor my other two children for residency visa. Can I use same rental contract for visa application. Please guide. Thanks
Hi! As per the rules stipulated by the UAE Government, the sponsor must have a registered tenancy contract under their name. For more information on the process, we suggest you contact the UAE Government on 8005111.
Hi i m working in dubai my salary is 3500
In labour but my salary is 4000 every month credited in my account.
And i would like to bring my wife and my 2 kids .one is 6 year son and my daughter 2 years. I want to know how much total expence for them . Pls let me know asap.
Thanks.
Hello! To find out the exact cost of the visa, you can visit any of the Amer centres in Dubai or call them on 800-5111.
Me & my wife both are working in Abudhabi before 23 month my daughter was born in Abudhabi now she is in my country we want to bring her here bt both of us has lower salary me has 2000 & my wife has 2200 . Could you please advice me how we can sponsored visa for our baby girl.
Hi, the UAE Government states that the sponsor must hold a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation to sponsor their children. We would recommend calling on 800-5111 or emailing gdrfa@dnrd.ae regarding your situation. They may be able to provide a solution.
Good luck!
We dont have marriage certificate and both names are already in our passports , please advise its enough to apply for family visa
Hi, thank you for reaching out to us. As per the UAE Government rules, expat resident must prove an existing marital relationship by submitting an authenticated marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator. For any more information, we would recommend contacting 800-5111 or sending an email to gdrfa@dnrd.ae.
Good luck!
Can a domestic worker, employed by private household also benefit from this new UAE family rule if salary is 3000 plus accommodation.
Yes. As of March 2019, profession is no longer a condition for an expatriate worker to be able to sponsor his family visas. As long as the sponsor maintains the ‘income criteria’, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, they can sponsor their family.
My daughter and son in law are UAE residents together earning 20000AED in a 3 bed apartment. Can they sponsor me for a residency visa ? I am over 60 and have a possible job offer in the UAE as a mental health professional.
Hello, thank you for contacting Bayut.
According to the UAE Government, the sponsor must independently hold a minimum salary of AED 20,000 or a monthly pay of AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation to sponsor their family. Other criteria the sponsor has to meet include the following:
– An expatriate employee must sponsor both parents together, he cannot sponsor only one of his parents. If one of the parents has passed away or if the parents are divorced, the sponsor has to show the related official documents as justification.
– The sponsor must provide proof that he is their sole support and that there is no one to take care of them back home.
– Obtain a medical insurance policy for parents with the minimum coverage stipulated for each, to be renewed each year.
For more information, you can visit our blog on family sponsorship in the UAE or call the GDRFA on 800-5111 or email gdrfa@dnrd.ae.
Good luck!