How to sponsor your wife for a UAE residence visa
Find out the salary, documents, costs, and step-by-step process for expat residents.
Dubai: If you have just moved to the UAE on a new job or to start your own business, and plan on bringing your family to the country as well, here’s how you can apply for your family’s residence visa.
As an expatriate resident, you can apply for your spouse’s and children’s visa as a family sponsor, as long as your own visa is in place.
Once your residence visa has been issued whether it is an investor visa or an employment visa, you can start the application process for your family. It is important to remember that the cost of a residence visa is borne by the family sponsor.
Once your family enters the UAE, you will need to ensure their visa is applied for within 60 days from the date of entry.
Sponsor eligibility for UAE family visa
To sponsor your family members, you must:
Hold a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID with at least six months' validity remaining.
Earn a minimum salary of Dh4,000, or Dh3,000 plus accommodation.
Provide a valid, registered tenancy contract (e.g. Ejari in Dubai) or proof of property ownership. A recent utility bill may also be requested.
According to the UAE’s official information portal – u.ae, your job title or profession is no longer a determining factor for sponsorship eligibility.
Documents required from the sponsor
You will need to submit the following documents. Additional documents may be requested based on your individual case:
Copy of sponsor’s passport and residence visa page
Emirates ID copy
Salary certificate (in Arabic, issued by your employer) or employment contract
Ejari tenancy contract or title deed
Recent DEWA or utility bill (if requested)
Completed visa application form
Bank statements (required for investor or business owner sponsors)
No Objection Certificate (NOC) if applicable, especially for free-zone employees
Documents and requirements for sponsoring your wife
To sponsor your wife, you will need:
A valid passport with at least six months of validity
Attested marriage certificate, including:
- Arabic translation or certified Arabic translation
- Attestation from the country of issue, UAE Embassy in that country, and finally by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
- It is advised to begin this attestation process early, as it may take several weeks depending on your home country and embassy
Medical fitness certificate (mandatory for applicants aged 18 and above) from an approved government medical centre, including a blood test and chest X-ray
Passport-size photos with a white background
Entry permit or visa copy if your wife is already in the UAE
UAE family visa application process
Here’s brief breakdown on the process:
Submit the visa application via one of the following channels:
ICP UAE - smartservices.icp.gov.ae
GDRFA (for Dubai residents) - www.gdrfad.gov.ae
Amer Centres (for Dubai)
Authorised typing centres
Schedule a medical test for your spouse once the entry permit is issued or upon arrival if already inside the UAE
Apply for Emirates ID and complete biometric capture
Complete visa stamping in the passport, valid for one to three years (generally aligned with the sponsor’s visa duration)
Family residence visa costs and fees
Costs vary depending on the emirate and whether the application is made from inside or outside the UAE. Here is an estimated cost breakdown:
Entry permit – Dh550
‘File opening’ charges – Dh300
Emirates ID (for two years) – Dh385
Medical fitness test – Dh320
Visa stamping – Dh580
If your family is already in the UAE, an additional Dh750 will be required for visa status change. This fee does not apply if they are entering on a family residence visa from outside the UAE.
Please note these are base costs and additional fees may apply depending on your application or emirate.
Important reminder
This article is for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always contact the relevant immigration authorities:
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai: 800 5111
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security - 600 522222
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