How To Get Family Visa In Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, UAE; Family visa is issued to close relatives of Emirati citizens (those whose father or mother is an Emirati National). Common categories of family members eligible for family visa are: read on to find out more.
How To Get Family Visa In Abu Dhabi? I came to the UAE in August 2013 to work as a Chef at one of the famous hotels in Abu Dhabi. That time, my wife and son were residing at India. I felt the emptiness after coming here all alone; so, my first concern was getting my family here. Actually, it is hard for people who are new in this country without any contacts or relatives.(even if you have these what can happen if your relative died or quits their job or even worse fights with you).
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How To Get Family Visa In Abu Dhabi
As a citizen of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you enjoy the privilege of being able to bring your spouse or your children into the country. You might need some help, though. We’ve tried to make things as straight forward as possible, but if you have any doubts, be sure to talk to an immigration lawyer before you take action.
Family visa is the easiest and rapid way to reunite your family with you. If you are seeking an employment visa, there are a few ways to bring your family with you. However, these options take a long time to process….
If you are a foreign national living in the UAE on a Residence Visa, then you are allowed to bring your dependents with you through a UAE Family Visa. However, not everyone can bring their dependents along as there are certain requirements that have to be met.
UAE Family Visa Rules 2022 Abu Dhabi
UAE Family Visa Requirements are fairly simple, but the process can be troublesome if the appropriate channels and requirements are not followed. The UAE has provided expats with a range of visas while keeping every individual’s requirements in mind, be it a business owner, a freelancer, or a dependent of an employed expat.
There are different requirements for each visa type. Here is a list of requirements for a family visa or a dependent visa.
A major percentage of expatriates (or working population in the UAE) lives away from their family and most of them come to the country while leaving their wife and children behind.
Expatriates (employers & employees) holding a valid UAE residence visa are eligible to sponsor their families as well as immediate family members (e.g. wife and children), this is a relatively inexpensive affair.
Male residents, or husbands who are employed in the UAE and are receiving a minimum salary of AED 4,000/month and living in a one-bedroom accommodation (or larger) can sponsor their immediate family members.
Family members are issued 2-3 year visas depending on the jurisdiction (Dubai Mainland or Free zone) where the sponsor is employed as well as their visa status.
As per the UAE regulations, expatriate employees are each issued 2-3 year residence visas, while the expatriate employers or investors are each issued 3-year residence visas. A sponsored resident gets the privilege of enjoying the same visa duration as their sponsor. The visa, however, must be renewed prior to the expiry of the sponsor’s visa to avoid overstay penalties.
Documents Required to Obtain a Family Visa or a Dependent’s Visa
An expatriate resident can provide a residence visa for his wife & children by fulfilling the following sponsorship requirements (UAE Family Visa Requirements) set out by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA):
| Sr. No. | REQUIRED DOCUMENTS |
| 1 | Passport copies of the wife and children (valid for six months) |
| 2 | 4 Passport size photos of the wife and children with a white background |
| 3 | Original Emirates ID of Sponsor |
| 4 | Insurance copy of the Sponsor |
| 5 | Original Marriage Certificate attested and translated in Arabic – (attested in a UAE Embassy, the home country, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| 6 | Original Birth Certificate of the child attested and translated in Arabic – (attested in a UAE Embassy, the home country, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| 7 | Passport and Residence visa color copy of the sponsor (high resolution) |
| 8 | Original Salary Certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary (if from a free zone company, then you will need the letter from the relevant Free Zone Authority in Arabic) |
| 9 | Original Labor Contract of the sponsor |
| 10 | Ejari of the sponsor’s house (1BHK) |
| 11 | Latest Water & Electricity Bill under the name of the sponsor |
| 12 | Trade License color copy (High Resolution) – in case of an Employer or Investor |
| 13 | Memorandum & Articles of Association copy of the company (High Resolution) – in the case of an Employer or Investor |
| 14 | Original 6-month Company or Personal Bank Statement of the company – In case of an Employer or Investor |
Documents Required for a UAE family visa
The documents needed for support a UAE Family Visa application include:
- UAE Visa Application Form (online or through a registered typing office)
- Passport copies of the family member/s being sponsored
- Passport-size pictures of the family member/s being sponsored
- Medical clearance certificate for any family member over the age of 18
- Copy of the sponsor’s employment contract or company contract
- Proof of the monthly salary the sponsor earns
- The legalised marriage certificate
- Proof of accommodation, such as the registered tenancy contract
- The latest utility bill.
UAE Sponsor Visa Requirements 2022
Requirements to Sponsor Someone for a UAE Family Visa
To be able to sponsor family members to the UAE, you must fulfill the following conditions:
- Male expatriates must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 per month or AED 3,000 per month plus accommodation
- Female expatriates must have a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation
Additionally, all family members who are over 18 have to pass a medical fitness test taken at a government-approved health centre in the UAE. They will be tested for HIV and Tuberculosis.
The UAE does not recognize same-sex marriage, therefore you cannot sponsor your spouse if you are in a same-sex relationship.
What Professions are Eligible for Family Visa in UAE?
As of 2019, there are no specific professions that are eligible to sponsor their family members for a UAE Family Visa. Any foreign worker who meets the salary requirements can bring their family members to the UAE.
Who Can you Sponsor for a UAE Family Visa?
It is easier for a male expatriate to sponsor his family members to the UAE than it is for a woman. If you are a man who is on the UAE on a Residence Visa, you can bring the following family members on a Family Visa to the UAE:
- Your wife. If you are a Muslim resident, you may also sponsor two wives but you must meet certain terms set out by the GDRFA.
- Your sons. You can sponsor your sons only if they are 18 or under. If the sons are over 18, you can still sponsor them but only if they are students, and only up to the age of 21. Additionally, if the sons are over 18, they must enter the UAE at least once every six months if studying abroad otherwise their UAE visa will be canceled.
- Your daughters. You can sponsor your daughters only if they are unmarried.
- Your parents. You can also sponsor your parents, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You sponsor both parents unless one of them has passed away
- You pay a deposit as a guarantee for each parent
- You get your parents a medical insurance policy
- You have a monthly salary of AED 20,000 or a AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation
- Your stepchildren. You may also sponsor your stepchildren if you get a written No Objection Certificate from the biological parent. The visa for stepchildren is valid for one year and renewable.
Can a Woman Sponsor Her Family Members for a UAE Family Visa?
Yes, she can but the criteria for a woman to sponsor her family to the UAE are higher than for a man:
- The family members she can sponsor are her husband and her children.
- She has to earn a monthly salary not lower than AED 10,000 or alternatively AED 8,000 plus accommodation
- She must work as an engineer, teacher, or a profession related to the medical sector (doctor, nurse etc)
- In certain cases (and only with approval from the DRND), if the woman has a sufficient monthly salary, she could qualify for sponsorship even if she isn’t employed in one of the aforementioned categories
- If she has a husband who can sponsor the children instead, she is not allowed to do it herself. It must be the husband.
How To Get Dubai Family Visa
Documents Required for a UAE family visa
The documents needed for support a UAE Family Visa application include:
- UAE Visa Application Form (online or through a registered typing office)
- Passport copies of the family member/s being sponsored
- Passport-size pictures of the family member/s being sponsored
- Medical clearance certificate for any family member over the age of 18
- Copy of the sponsor’s employment contract or company contract
- Proof of the monthly salary the sponsor earns
- The legalised marriage certificate
- Proof of accommodation, such as the registered tenancy contract
- The latest utility bill
How to Apply for UAE Family Visa?
Family visas for the UAE can be sponsored by either the expatriate or his/her employer. As a foreign resident, you must submit a UAE Family Visa application within 60 days of receiving your own UAE Residence Visa.
Applying for the entry permit
Before your family members travel to the UAE to join you, you (or your employer) must apply for an entry permit to allow them in the country in the first place. You can apply for your family members’ entry permit at one of the following:
- The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – GDRFA either online (see the websites below) or in-person. If you apply in-person you must do so through one of the licensed typing centres of the GDRFA in each Emirate or through one of the Amer centres in Dubai.
- GDRFA Dubai mobile apps for Apple and Android
- The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
- The ICA’s eChanel portal
- The mobile apps for Apple and Android
Applying for the UAE Family Visa
The UAE Family Visa is a type of residence visa, and as such, you have to submit it on behalf of your family members after they are already in the country on an entry permit. You can submit the family visa application at the offices of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the relevant emirate.
The websites of the GDRFA in each emirate:
Family Visa UAE Cost 2022
The cost of a UAE family visa depends on the type of visa you are applying for and what other service fees you have to pay for the visa as follows:
| Fee type | Cost per person in AED |
| Sponsor registration file | 268.9 |
| Tasheera (Wife/Children Outside the UAE) | 488.9 |
| Tasheera (Wife/Children Inside the UAE) | 1,138.90 |
| Tasheera (Parents Inside the UAE) | 488.9 |
| Normal Medical Test | 322.5 |
| Emirates ID (1 Year) | 250 |
| Emirates ID (2 Year) | 350 |
| Emirates ID (3 Year) | 450 |
| Transfer Of New Residence to a Passport | 259.9 |
How long is a UAE Family Visa valid?
A Family Visa for the UAE can be issued for 1, 2, or 3 years and can be renewed at least thirty days before expiry. Family Visas are dependent on the sponsor, so if the sponsor’s visa expires or is canceled, then the Family Visas will also be void.
However, dependent family members get a 30-day grace period during which time they may see if they can get their own Residence Visa renewed.
Applying for a Family Visa Dubai
Since Dubai is part of the UAE, if you are living in Dubai as an expatriate, and you want to bring your family members with you, you must meet the same sponsorship requirements as set out above. You can apply for your family members’ Dubai Family Visa at the local GDRFA office in Dubai. You can also apply through Amer, a website that Dubai citizens and residents can use to apply for family reunion and visitors can use to extend their Visa On Arrival.