Bring Your Family to Dubai: Your 2025 Visa Journey Made Simple
April 16, 2025
Copy Link
Sources
41
Show Sources in Text
Gulfmigration Grc
Arabianbusiness
Adhrb
Sciencespo
Hir Harvard
Acs Edu
Blog Remitly
Webapps Ilo
Publishingindia
Hrpub
Feibv
U
Imidaily
Adtt Dct Gov
En Wikipedia
Globoprime
Sheikhmohammed
Refworld
Gulfmigration Grc
Gdrfad Gov
Buy-dubai
Clydeco
Meplaw
Hlbhamt
Gulfmigration Grc
Trenchlaw
Icp Gov
Visitdubai
Researchgate
U
Mobile Stevieawards
Infibiz
Amercenter
Uaelegislation Gov
Travelobiz
Wam
Migrationpolicy Unescwa
Altawakkal
Theurbannest
Mydubaiproperties
U
Thinking of bringing your loved ones to join you in the vibrant city of Dubai? It's a common dream for many expatriates, and thankfully, the UAE supports family reunification 
[1]
[6]
[12]. This guide is your essential resource for navigating the Dubai family visa process in 2025, covering who can sponsor, who can be sponsored, the necessary documents like Ejari and attested certificates, and the step-by-step application journey through GDRFA or ICP [1]
[3][12]. One key thing to remember is the recent shift: sponsorship eligibility now focuses more on your income rather than specific job titles, making it accessible to more residents [1][3][12].
Can You Sponsor? Checking Sponsor Eligibility
So, who exactly can sponsor their family in Dubai? Any expatriate resident holding a valid UAE residence visa can potentially bring their immediate family over [1][12]. The main hurdle is usually the income requirement. You'll need a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000, or alternatively, AED 3,000 per month if your employer provides accommodation [1][3]
[4][6][12]. This rule applies across the board, regardless of your profession, which is a welcome change from older regulations [1][3][12].
You also need to prove you have suitable housing for your family [3]
[5]
[19]. How? By providing a registered tenancy contract – in Dubai, this means an Ejari certificate registered under your name [1][3][5][19]
[34]
[25]. If you own property, the title deed works too, or if you have company housing, an official letter confirming the arrangement is needed 
[40]
[30]
[26]. What about women sponsoring their families? Yes, female residents can sponsor their husbands and children if they meet the criteria [4][40]. While historically there might have been higher salary expectations or specific profession requirements for women, the official threshold generally cited is the same AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation) [1][12]
[32]
[9]. However, it's always wise to double-check the latest requirements with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), especially if sponsoring a husband, as a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from him might sometimes be requested 
[7][9][4][6]
[13][40].
Who Can Be Sponsored? Dependent Eligibility Rules
Now, let's look at who you can bring over on a dependent visa. You can sponsor your legal spouse (husband or wife), requiring an attested marriage certificate as proof [1][3][4][32]. For Muslim residents meeting specific ICP conditions, sponsoring two wives might be permissible [1][32]. When it comes to children, the rules have become more generous recently. Sons can now be sponsored up to the age of 25, a significant increase from previous limits [1]
[2][32]. Sons of determination (those with special needs) have no age limit for sponsorship [1]. Unmarried daughters can be sponsored regardless of their age [1][2][4][32]. If you have a newborn in the UAE, remember to apply for their visa within 120 days of birth [1][4]
[22]. Sponsoring stepchildren is also possible, but it comes with specific GDRFA conditions, usually involving an NOC from the biological parent and potentially a deposit, with visas typically issued annually [1][3][4]
[17]
[39].
Sponsoring parents involves stricter conditions and higher costs [1][3][4]. The minimum salary requirement for the sponsor is significantly higher, often cited around AED 20,000 per month (or AED 19,000 plus accommodation), though it's best to verify the current figure [4]
[33][19][39]
[21][5][7]
[15]. You must prove you are their sole support, usually via an attested dependency affidavit from your consulate [1][3][13][33][39][7]. Generally, you need to sponsor both parents together, unless one is deceased or they are divorced, requiring official proof [1][3][13][33][39][21][2][7]. Mandatory annual health insurance with minimum coverage is required for each parent, and their visas are granted yearly, regardless of your own visa's duration (unless you hold a Golden Visa) [1][3][33][2][5][32][7][39]
[16]. A security deposit per parent might also be needed, and proof of minimum two-bedroom accommodation (via Ejari) is often required [3][21][5].
Gathering Your Documents: The Essential Checklist
A. Sponsor's Documents:
You'll need clear copies of your passport and valid UAE residence visa page, plus your Emirates ID copy (keep the original handy) [2][3][32][15][19][40]
[36]. Crucially, you need proof of your salary – this could be your official employment contract or a salary certificate from your employer, formatted according to requirements for private, government, or free zone sectors [1][3][4][15][19][32][9][36]. If you're an investor, your trade license and potentially bank statements might be needed [32][15][4][33]. Don't forget proof of accommodation: your Ejari certificate, property title deed, or an official company housing letter, often supplemented by a recent utility bill like DEWA [1][3][5][19][34][25][4][40][30]. Your International Bank Account Number (IBAN) might also be requested [36][1][32].
B. Dependent's Documents:
For each family member you're sponsoring, you'll need a clear copy of their passport (valid for over 6 months) and recent passport-sized photos with a white background [2][3][32][15][40][30][25]. The absolute key documents are the attested proofs of relationship. For your spouse, this is the attested marriage certificate (plus legal Arabic translation if needed) [1][3][4][32][15][19][34][25]. For children, it's their attested birth certificate(s), also translated if necessary [2][3][4][15][19][34][40]
[20][32]. For parents, you'll need your own attested birth certificate plus that attested dependency affidavit confirming you're their sole support [13][33][19][39]. Dependents aged 18+ will need a Medical Fitness Certificate from a UAE-approved center [1][3][4]
[10][19][40][36]. You'll also need the Emirates ID application receipt, proof of valid UAE health insurance, and potentially the entry permit copy [3][40][4][19][40]
[24][20]
[29]. Other documents might include previous visa copies, national IDs for certain nationalities, a letter confirming a daughter over 18 is unmarried, an NOC for stepchildren, or an NOC from the father if a mother is sponsoring [2][13][1][3][30].
C. Understanding Document Attestation (Crucial Step):
Why all this fuss about "attestation"? It's the official process the UAE uses to verify that documents issued in other countries are genuine and legally valid for use here 
[8]
[11][17]
[23]. For family visas, your marriage and birth certificates issued abroad must go through this multi-step legalization [2][32][15][19][34][24]. Typically, it involves:
The Application Journey: Step-by-Step Guide
Okay, you've gathered your documents and checked eligibility. What's next? The process generally involves getting permission for your family to enter for residency (or changing their status if already here), followed by medical tests, ID registration, and finally, getting the visa stamped in their passports [5][10][11]
[35].
Step 1: Apply for Entry Permit / Status Change:
If your family is outside the UAE, you first need an entry permit for residence [32][19][20][30]. If they're already inside on a visit visa, you'll apply for the permit and then a "status change" [10]. You can apply online via the GDRFA website/app (using UAE Pass) or the ICP platform, or visit an Amer center in Dubai or an authorized typing center [5][6][32][19][20][30][1][3][21]. Amer centers are super helpful government-approved service points in Dubai [6][15]. This permit gives your family 60 days from entry (or from permit issuance if inside) to complete the rest of the residency steps [1][3][4][6][32][12][21].
Step 2: Medical Fitness Test:
Anyone aged 18 or over needs to pass a medical fitness test [1][3][4][5][6][10][12][19][40][20]. This is done at government-approved health centers (run by DHA in Dubai) [1][12]
[28]. The tests screen for communicable diseases like HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) through blood tests and chest X-rays [26][28]. A positive result for certain conditions like active TB or HIV generally means the visa won't be granted, although conditional visas might be possible for inactive TB under treatment [1][12][28][2][8][25].
Step 3: Emirates ID Application:
Every dependent, regardless of age, needs an Emirates ID [32][13]. You'll apply through the ICP website/app or a typing center [5][13][35]. Those 15 and older will need to visit an ICP center for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) [13][22]. Keep the application receipt safe, as it's needed for the final visa step [40].
Step 4: Secure Mandatory Health Insurance:
Step 5: Residence Visa Stamping:
This is the finish line! You submit all the documents – original passports, entry permit/status change proof, medical results, Emirates ID receipt, insurance proof, your documents, attested relationship certificates – to GDRFA (usually via an Amer center or online) [5][25][20][10][11][13][35]
[27]. Once everything is verified and approved, the residence visa sticker is placed in your dependent's passport [5][19]. Processing times can vary, but entry permits might take 24-48 hours, medicals the same, and the whole process from start to finish could be a few days to a couple of weeks [30][28][25][35].
Costs, Validity, and Renewals
Budgeting for the family visa process is important. Costs can add up and are subject to change, so always check official sources like GDRFA or ICP for the latest figures [5]. Expect fees for the entry permit (ranging roughly AED 200-1100 depending on circumstances), status change if applicable, the visa stamping itself (around AED 200-800), the medical test (AED 250-350+), Emirates ID (AED 170-370 depending on years), mandatory health insurance (highly variable), document attestation, and service fees if using Amer or typing centers [5][10][19][25][30][3][21]. Deposits might apply for parents or stepchildren [3][21]. A rough total estimate per dependent could be anywhere from AED 2,500 to AED 5,000+, excluding potentially high insurance premiums for parents [10][19][25].
How long is the visa valid? Typically, your dependent's visa duration mirrors your own – often one, two, or three years [32][15][2][25]. However, parents' visas are usually only granted for one year at a time and must be renewed annually [1][3][32][12][21][2][8][13][17]. Renewing is crucial and should be done before expiry (or within the 30-day grace period) to avoid daily overstay fines [5][20]. The renewal process is similar: you'll need updated documents like your salary proof and Ejari, renewed health insurance, a new medical test for those 18+, and a renewed Emirates ID application [5][36][20][28].
Avoiding Pitfalls: Common Challenges & Solutions
What trips people up most often? Definitely issues with document attestation – missing stamps, incorrect procedures, or simply underestimating the time it takes [11][16]. Make sure your salary proof is exactly what's required and your Ejari is valid and in your name [9]
[31][11]. Simple application errors like typos can also cause rejection [9]
[41][30]
[37]. Failing the medical test is another potential hurdle, as are previous unresolved immigration issues like overstays or uncancelled visas [2][8][9][19][41][37][31].
If your application does get denied, the first step is to understand why. Inquire through official channels like GDRFA or Amer centers [30]. If it's a fixable issue like missing paperwork or an error, you can usually correct it and reapply, though you'll likely have to pay the fees again [30][31]. Addressing the specific reason for rejection is key for a successful reapplication [30].
Try It for Free