Family Residence Visa
United Arab Emirates
Last updated: December 19, 2025
1 year (renewable)
$215
2–4 week
Medium
About this Visa
This visa lets you bring your family to live with you in the UAE if you work here. You can sponsor your spouse, children, parents, and stepchildren to live legally in the country. Your family can work, study, and access healthcare. They can travel in and out of the UAE as long as the visa is valid. This is how most expat workers keep families together while working abroad.
Key Benefits
- Your family lives with you legally
- Spouse and adult children can work (employer approval needed)
- Children can attend school
- Healthcare access with insurance
- Travel in/out of UAE freely
- Children stay until age 25 if in university
- 6-month grace if your visa expires to arrange new status
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Must work with valid UAE residence visa
- Visa valid at least 6 more months
- Meet minimum salary requirement for category
- Have suitable housing
- Spouse must be legally married
- Daughters can be any age if unmarried
- Sons up to age 25 if in university
- Parents must be sponsored together
- Stepchildren allowed with biological parent permission
- No criminal record
- No unpaid UAE fines
- No prior deportation from any country
Financial Requirement
Spouse/children: AED 4,000 ($1,090); Parents: AED 10,000–20,000 ($2,720–$5,440); Extended family: AED 8,000–15,000 ($2,180–$4,085). Show last 3 months salary certificate and bank statements.
Documents
- Valid passportYours and family member's passport with 6+ months validity
- Valid UAE residence visaYour current residence visa copy
- Emirates IDYour valid Emirates ID
- Salary certificateFrom your employer confirming monthly income
- Bank statementsLast 3 months of statements showing income
- Rental or property contractProof of suitable housing
- Utility billDEWA or similar bill
- Medical fitness testRequired if family member is 18 or older
- PhotosPassport-sized photos
- Marriage or birth certificateOfficially certified and translated to Arabic or English
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.