Being able to bring their loved ones to join them is a major goal for many expats living in the United Arab Emirates, as family is an essential part of our lives. However, the chance of bringing family members with them through a UAE family visa is one of the main advantages for foreigners living and working in the country. Residents can sponsor their spouse, kids, and even parents with a UAE family visa, which allows families to remain together and take advantage of everything that the UAE has to offer. With the help of visa services in UAE, one can apply for a family visa without any hassle.
Types of Family Members That Can Be Sponsored in the UAE
Individuals can usually sponsor the following family members:
1. Spouse: The lawfully married spouse of the sponsor is eligible for a family visa in the UAE.
2. Unmarried Children: Children under the age of eighteen who are dependent on the sponsor but are not married can also be sponsored.
3. Dependent Parents: If a sponsor’s dependent parents are elderly or incapable of taking care of themselves, they may occasionally be eligible to sponsor them.
Application Process for Family Visa UAE
The application process for a family visa in the UAE can differ slightly depending on the specific circumstances and emirate. However, the general steps involved are as follows:
1. Gather all the Required Documents
Gather important documents, including your spouse’s marriage certificate, your children’s birth certificates, your wage certificate, your lease agreement, copies of your passports, and your Emirates ID. Make sure every document has the necessary attestation.
2. Apply for Entry Permit
Apply in person at a typing center or online through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, and Ports Security (ICP) site or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Send in your family member’s application for an admission permit. Your family members or members may enter the United Arab Emirates after approval.
3. Medical Fitness Test
Your family members must go through a medical fitness exam at an authorized health center once they get to the United Arab Emirates. HIV and TB are among the infectious disease screenings that are included in the test.
4. Emirates ID Application
You can use the ICA/Emirates ID website or a typing center to apply for your family member’s Emirates ID.
5. Apply for the Residence Visa
Apply for a resident visa on a portal that offers the UAE visa services or at a typing center that has been approved. Include the Emirates ID application receipt and the medical fitness report, among other necessary documents.
6. Visa Stamping on the Passport
To obtain the resident visa stamped on the family member’s passport after it has been approved, you must go to the GDRFA office in Dubai or the appropriate immigration office in other emirates. As an alternative, you can choose to get your visa stamped by an authorized service center.
7. Collect the Emirates ID
Once your residence visa gets the stamp, you will get an alert when the Emirates ID is ready to collect. This is generally available at a designated Emirates ID center.
New Family Visa Rules in the UAE
Here is a complete list of rules implemented for family visas in the UAE. You must know these requirements for a successful application.
- The sponsor needs to be a UAE citizen or have a current residency permit or visa.
- AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus housing must be the sponsor’s minimum income.
- Sponsors who own or invest in businesses are required to present documentation of their stable revenue and business license.
- Sponsored family members who are older than 18 must pass medical exams.
- The sponsor has 60 days from the time the sponsored family arrives in the country to apply for a resident visa. Newborns may apply within 120 days after their birth.
- It is not possible to sponsor just one parent then both parents must be supported jointly. Proof documents must be provided for exceptions like divorce or death. Also, regardless of the sponsor’s visa period, the parent visa is granted annually.
- Sponsorship is available for sons up to the age of 25, but there are no age restrictions for children with exceptional needs.
- Only in exceptional circumstances, after receiving ICP approval, can mothers sponsor children.
- An overseas worker’s freedom to sponsor his family no longer relies on the nature of his occupation.
Conclusion
Visa processing in the UAE is convenient when you have the appropriate guidance and access to exceptional UAE visa services. At Start Any Business (SAB), we are a reliable team of experts and your trusted partner for all kinds of visa solutions. We manage everything from documentation to approvals and more to guarantee a seamless visa application process in Dubai, UAE.
