UAE Golden Visa for Family Dependents (2026): Full Guide — Spouse, Children of Any Age & Parents

Rules as of October 2026: once your own Golden Visa is issued, your spouse, your children of any age and your parents can get the same 10-year residency under you. The only extra condition: children over 21 sign a self-declaration that they are not married. Government fees are AED 4,137 per adult and AED 3,864 per child under 18, and it usually takes 3 to 5 working days.

✅ The family rules today (October 2026)

• When: after the sponsor's own Golden Visa has been issued.
• Spouse: the spouse of the Golden Visa holder.
• Children: any age. Children over 21 sign a self-declaration that they are not married.
• Parents: included, with 10-year visas.
• Visa length: the same 10 years as the holder.
• Family security: if the holder passes away, family members keep their residency until their own visas expire.

👨‍👩‍👧 Who you can sponsor

Your family's visas follow the route you qualified on — property, company, manager, fixed deposit or special talent.

📄 Documents required

• Sponsor's Golden Visa and Emirates ID.
• Passport copy — each family member.
• Personal photo — each family member.
• Marriage or birth certificate — attested.
• Self-declaration that the child is not married — children over 21 only.

🧭 Your situation

🗺️ The 9 steps

1. Cancel the existing visa — if any.
2. Medical application — family members aged 18 and over only.
3. Medical screening — in person.
4. Fitness report issued.
5. Dependent application.
6. Golden Visa issued.
7. Emirates ID application.
8. Emirates ID biometrics — in person, only if required.
9. Emirates ID delivered.

Minors have no medical — their application starts directly.

🚶 Only two in-person visits

• Medical screening at an approved medical centre — one visit, adults 18+ only; children don't need it.
• Emirates ID biometrics — one visit, only for first-time applicants aged 15+; not needed if your biometrics are already on file.

⏱️ How long it takes

Usually 3 to 5 working days on the standard route. Timelines are estimates, not guarantees.

💰 Family dependents cost

Worked example — spouse and two children, new family file: AED 4,137 + AED 3,864 + AED 3,864 + AED 283 = AED 12,148 for the family. With the holder's own visa, that's AED 16,285 on a non-property route, or AED 21,569 for a property owner.

📝 Quick recap

• Rules as of October 2026: spouse, children of any age and parents, after the sponsor's Golden Visa is issued.
• Children over 21: self-declaration that they are not married.
• AED 4,137 per adult, AED 3,864 per child under 18, AED 283 once for a new family file.
• Usually 3 to 5 working days; family keeps residency if the holder passes away.

Rules last reviewed in October 2026 by Razeeb Abdulla, CEO of FamilyVisa.ae, based on applications we process every week. Approval is always decided by the UAE authorities.

🔗 Related guides

• UAE Golden Visa 2026: routes, requirements and cost
• Golden Visa cost 2026: full fee breakdown
• Golden Visa for property owners
• Golden Visa for company owners
• Golden Visa for managers: salary & cost
• Golden Visa through a fixed bank deposit
• Golden Visa for special talents

❓ Frequently asked questions

1. Who can I sponsor on my UAE Golden Visa?

Your spouse, your children of any age and your parents. They receive the same 10-year residency as you.

2. When can I add my family?

Once your own Golden Visa has been issued. Your family's applications are then filed under your Golden Visa.

3. Is there an age limit for children?

No. Children can be sponsored regardless of age. Children over 21 need a self-declaration that they are not married.

4. What is the self-declaration for children over 21?

A simple signed statement that the child is not married. It is the only extra document for children over 21.

5. What documents does my family need?

Your Golden Visa and Emirates ID, a passport copy and a personal photo for each family member, the attested marriage certificate for a spouse and attested birth certificates for children — plus the self-declaration for children over 21.

6. How long does it take to add family?

Usually 3 to 5 working days on the standard route. Timelines are estimates, not guarantees.

7. How much does it cost to add family to a Golden Visa?

Government fees are AED 4,137 per adult and AED 3,864 per child under 18, who needs no medical test. Opening a family file for the first time adds AED 283 once.

8. Is the family cost different for property owners?

No. The AED 5,284 DLD and admin fee applies only to the property-owner main applicant. Family members cost the same on every route.

9. Do children need a medical test?

No. Only family members aged 18 and over need the medical test; the application for minors starts directly.

10. What happens to my family's visas if I pass away?

Family members keep their residency until their own visas expire; they are not required to leave the UAE straight away.