UAE Family Visa — frequently asked questions
Do I need to visit your office?
No. The whole process is online. Share documents digitally; if any original is required we send a rider to your location.
Are digital copies enough?
In most cases, yes. If any original document is required at any stage, we'll tell you clearly and arrange collection through our rider service.
Can I apply from outside the UAE?
Yes. You can apply via UAE Pass from anywhere. However, some steps may still require the dependent to enter the UAE for visa completion.
What's the maximum age for my son to stay under my sponsorship?
Generally up to 25 years. Beyond that, approval depends on the case and supporting documents.
What's the maximum age for my daughter?
A daughter can remain under parent sponsorship as long as she is unmarried. If she is married, the sponsorship eligibility may change.
Are there exemptions for older children?
Yes. If you can prove the child is fully dependent on the parents, immigration may consider the application even above the normal age limit, subject to approval.
When is the immigration deposit refunded?
Usually after the dependent visa is cancelled. It's not normally processed while the visa is still active.
Can I change jobs while my dependents' visas are active?
In many cases yes, you can hold your dependents' visas during a job change so they don't need to be cancelled immediately.
Is health insurance mandatory?
For some Emirates yes, for visa issuance or renewal. For Dubai, it's generally not requested at the immigration stage. Requirements vary by Emirate.
Can I sponsor children if they study abroad?
Yes. They will need to enter the UAE to complete the visa process, then can travel back to study.
Do children studying abroad need to enter every 6 months?
Normally yes. With valid education documents, an exemption may be granted extending up to one year, subject to approval.
What if my application is rejected?
Visa approval is at immigration's discretion. If rejected, we review the documents, identify the issue, and advise on reapplication. Document inconsistencies can often be corrected before reapplying.
Do certificates need Arabic translation?
English or Arabic documents may not need translation. Other languages usually require legal Arabic translation to avoid delays.
At what age is the medical test required?
18 and above. Children below 18 generally don't require it.
At what age are Emirates ID biometrics needed?
15 and above, especially if not already registered in the system.
Can I choose the nearest medical/biometrics center?
Yes, in most cases — based on availability and your Emirate. Options depend on location, visa type, and appointment slots.
What is the minimum salary to sponsor my family in the UAE?
AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation provided by your employer. This applies regardless of your job title — what matters is the salary shown in your contract or salary certificate.
Can a wife sponsor her husband and children?
Yes, women can sponsor their families if they meet the salary requirement. In practice, Dubai immigration may ask for a higher salary (around AED 10,000) when a wife sponsors her husband, and approval is at GDRFA's discretion. We check your profile first and tell you the realistic position before you start.
How much does a family visa cost in total?
Plan for roughly AED 3,000–5,000 per dependent for a standard residence visa, covering the entry permit or status change, medical test, Emirates ID and stamping. Parent visas cost more because of the deposit and annual renewal. We always share an exact itemised quote before starting.
How long does the family visa process take?
Typically 10–15 working days end to end: entry permit approval in 2–7 working days, then medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and visa stamping. Delays usually come from document issues, which we screen for upfront.
Can I sponsor my parents?
Yes, but the requirements are higher: a salary of around AED 20,000, a two-bedroom or larger home, mandatory health insurance and a refundable deposit of about AED 2,020 per parent. Parent visas are issued for one year and renewed annually, and you generally must sponsor both parents together unless one has passed away or they are divorced (with proof).
What's the grace period if my family's visa expires or is cancelled?
Dependents get a 6-month grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation to obtain a new residence visa or leave the UAE. No daily fines build up within this window.
What is the overstay fine for dependents?
AED 50 per day once the grace period has passed — the UAE unified this rate across visa types in 2026. Fines must be settled before a new visa can be processed or before exit.
How long is a dependent visa valid?
It follows your own residence visa — usually 1, 2 or 3 years — and can never outlast the sponsor's visa. Renewal can start up to 60 days before expiry. Parents' visas are renewed every year regardless of your own visa length.
Which documents do I need to sponsor my wife and children?
Passports, photos, your salary certificate or employment contract, Ejari tenancy contract, attested marriage certificate (for a spouse) and attested birth certificates (for children), plus health insurance depending on the Emirate. Certificates issued abroad must be attested and, if not in Arabic or English, legally translated — we handle both.
Is family sponsorship easier on a Golden Visa?
Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children with no minimum salary requirement, children can stay under sponsorship without the usual age cut-off, and dependents receive the same long validity as the holder.
Is FamilyVisa.ae a licensed company?
Yes. FamilyVisa.ae is operated by 800 DOCS LLC, a DET-licensed company in Dubai; Visa Services is a licensed activity on our trade licence. We prepare and submit your application; the UAE immigration authorities decide based on your eligibility.
Which visas does FamilyVisa.ae handle?
UAE residence visas: Employment Visas, Family Visas and Golden Visas, plus the Emirates ID, medical and attestation steps around them.
Do you arrange tourist, visit or foreign-country visas?
No. We do not provide tourist or visit visas, and we do not process visas for any other country (Schengen, UK, USA, Canada or others). UAE residency only.
Can I sponsor my daughter in Dubai?
Yes. A UAE resident father or mother with a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month (or AED 3,000 plus employer accommodation) can sponsor an unmarried daughter on a dependent residence visa. In Dubai no tenancy contract or insurance policy is needed to issue her visa.
What is the age limit for a daughter visa in the UAE?
There is none while she is unmarried. Cabinet Resolution 65 of 2022 lets a resident sponsor unmarried daughters with no age condition (sons are limited to 25). A married daughter cannot be sponsored by her parents; a divorced or widowed daughter can be sponsored again.
Can I sponsor my unmarried daughter who is over 25?
Yes, at any age. The age of 25 applies to sons only. An unmarried daughter of 30 or 40 can still hold a residence visa under her parent's sponsorship.
How much does a daughter visa cost in Dubai?
Government fees from outside the UAE are AED 1,103 for a daughter under 18 (entry permit AED 339, Emirates ID AED 354, visa issuance AED 410) and AED 1,376 for a daughter aged 18 or above (including the AED 273 medical test). If she is already inside the UAE, add AED 1,280 for the inside-country entry permit and the change of status. First-time sponsors also pay AED 203 to open the family file.
Can I sponsor my parents in Dubai?
Yes, if you meet GDRFA Dubai's conditions: a salary of at least AED 10,000 a month, a two-bedroom attested tenancy contract in your name, three months of bank statements, attested proof of the relationship and a refundable AED 5,000 security deposit. Both parents are normally sponsored together, and the visa is issued for one year at a time.
What is the minimum salary to sponsor parents in the UAE?
AED 10,000 a month in Dubai, shown on a salary certificate (government sector) or a labour contract (private sector). The AED 20,000 figure on many websites is the old rule. There is no lower band with employer accommodation, and a spouse's income cannot be added.
Can I sponsor only my mother or only my father?
In practice both parents are sponsored together. A single-parent application is accepted when the other parent has died or the parents are divorced, with the attested death or divorce certificate as proof. The committee decides other cases individually.
How much does a parents visa cost in Dubai?
Government fees for the one-year visa are AED 1,176 per parent — entry permit AED 339, medical test AED 273, Emirates ID AED 254 and residence issuance AED 310 — so AED 2,352 for both parents, plus AED 203 once to open the family file and the refundable AED 5,000 deposit. These are the figures for parents outside the UAE; if they are already inside the country, add AED 1,280 per parent.
Can I sponsor my son in Dubai?
Yes. A UAE resident father or mother with a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month (or AED 3,000 plus employer accommodation) can sponsor a son under 25 on a dependent residence visa. In Dubai no tenancy contract or insurance policy is needed to issue a son's visa.
What is the age limit for a son visa in the UAE?
25. Under Cabinet Resolution 65 of 2022, a resident may sponsor sons who have not reached 25 (and unmarried daughters with no age limit). Sons of determination can be sponsored regardless of age. After 25 a son needs his own visa or a GDRFA exemption.
Is there an age exemption for a dependent son?
Yes, but it is decided case by case by GDRFA's committee. Sons of determination have no age limit under the law. Students and sons with a serious medical condition can be approved with attested proof of study or recent medical reports. It is never automatic.
How much does a son visa cost below 18?
AED 1,103 in government fees when applying from outside the UAE, or AED 2,383 when the son is already inside the country. Through an Amer centre the totals are AED 1,332 and AED 2,623. No medical test is needed under 18.
What are the requirements for a spouse visa in the UAE?
A valid UAE residence visa for the sponsor, a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month (or AED 3,000 plus employer accommodation), an attested marriage certificate with an Arabic translation if needed, the spouse's passport valid for six months, and a medical fitness test for the sponsored spouse. In Dubai no tenancy contract or insurance policy is needed to issue the visa.
Can a wife sponsor her husband in the UAE?
Yes. A resident woman can sponsor her husband and children. The published salary rule is the same (AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation), but GDRFA Dubai treats it as a case for approval and in practice expects a stronger salary, around AED 10,000. The husband's visa is marked 'Mahram — not allowed to work', so working needs special approval.
How much does a spouse visa cost in the UAE?
Government fees for a new 2-year spouse visa are AED 1,376 — entry permit AED 339, medical test AED 273, Emirates ID AED 354 and residence issuance AED 410 — plus AED 203 once to open the family file. These are the figures for a spouse outside the UAE; if your wife or husband is already inside the country, add AED 1,280. Through an Amer centre: AED 1,652 (AED 2,943 inside).
How long does a spouse visa take in the UAE?
Typically 5 to 10 working days from a complete file: GDRFA Dubai issues the entry permit in about 48 hours, the medical result takes about 24 hours (30 minutes VIP), and the Emirates ID and residence follow within days. The attestation of the marriage certificate takes longest — one week to three months depending on the country.
How much does it cost to cancel a family visa in Dubai?
AED 85 per dependent when the sponsor applies online through GDRFA or ICP, or AED 189 at an Amer centre. The fee is the same for a wife, husband, child or parent, and the same whether the family member is inside or outside the UAE.
Who can cancel a dependent visa in the UAE?
Only the sponsor — the family member who holds the family file. The dependent cannot cancel his or her own residence, and an employer cannot cancel a family member's visa.
Do I have to cancel my dependents' visas before my own?
Yes. A sponsor's residence cannot be cancelled while family members are still on the file, so the dependents are cancelled first and the sponsor's own visa last.
How long does visa cancellation take?
GDRFA Dubai states about 48 hours for a complete application. The approval is usually sent to the sponsor's registered mobile number and email.
What is the minimum salary for a family visa in the UAE?
AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month when the employer provides accommodation. The same rule applies in Dubai and every other emirate.
