Bringing your family to Dubai is important for many expatriates looking to build a life in the UAE. Understanding the costs, processes, and requirements of obtaining a family visa can make the process smoother and less stressful. In this blog, I will provide detailed insights on the cost of a family visa in Dubai, eligibility criteria, required documents, and step-by-step guidance for the application process.
This comprehensive guide will ensure you have all the information you need to sponsor your loved ones effectively.
The Cost of a Family Visa in Dubai
A family visa for Dubai normally ranges from AED 3,000 to AED 7,000. The prices mentioned here may vary regarding the type of Visa, the number of persons who are included in the sponsorship category, and services like medical undertaking Emirates ID and health insurance.
What is a Dubai Family Visa?
A Dubai Family Visa allows foreigners employed and residing in the UAE to sponsor the residence of their close kin within their household. This visa helps people to be together with their families and also lets your family move to Dubai to embrace the opportunities and the quality of life that is intertwined with Dubai.
Key Benefits of a Dubai Family Visa
- Living and Working: Dependants are allowed to live in Dubai, and in certain circumstances, they can also work there.
- Access to Services: It can avail the health, education, and other essential facilities and non-working dependents also.
- Peace of Mind: It helps to maintain families intact, which implies stability and health.
In Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) gives out the family visa.
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsorship
To bring your family members to Dubai, some conditions have to be met to become a sponsor. These include:
1. Valid UAE Residence Visa
It is mandatory to have a residence visa from the UAE government but it must be a valid one.
2. Minimum Salary Requirement
- Minimum Monthly Salary: These costs AED 4000 whereas if your employer is providing accommodation then it will be 3000 AED.
- For sponsoring parents, the minimum salary requirement is AED 20,000 per month.
3. Proof of Employment
- A valid employment contract or salary certificate issued by your employer.
4. Housing Requirement
You need to provide proof of accommodation, such as a tenancy contract or Ejari registration.
Who Can You Sponsor with a Family Visa?
You can sponsor the following family members under a Dubai family visa:
1. Spouse
- A husband can sponsor his wife for a visa provided that he earns enough salary than the required amount by the visa issuing authorities.
- These professions allow the wife to sponsor her husband if her monthly salary is not less than AED 10000.
2. Children
- Age Limit: Male children under 18 years old.
- For Male Children Over 18: Operation is allowed on the condition that they are in school and can present any form of ID.
- Female children can be sponsored until they get married.
3. Parents
- Salary Requirement: AED 20,000 per month.
- Deposit: AED 5,000 per parent (refundable upon cancellation of the visa).
Duration and Renewal of a Family Visa
Visa Duration
- Family visas vary in duration and they can last for one year up to two years depending on the duration of the sponsor’s visa.
Renewal Process
- You can renew the family visa before it expires by following the same application steps as the initial process.
- Ensure that all documents, such as medical fitness certificates and Emirates IDs, are updated before renewal.
Read Also: How to Download UAE Visa Copy: A Comprehensive Guide
Required Documents for a Family Visa Application
For the Sponsor
- Valid Passport Copy
- UAE Residence Visa Copy
- Employment Contract or Salary Certificate
- Emirates ID Copy
- Tenancy Contract or Ejari Registration
For Dependents
- Passport Copy (valid for at least 6 months)
- Passport-sized photos (with a white background)
- Birth Certificate (for children)
- Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
- Medical Fitness Certificate (for dependents over 18)
- Proof of Education (for children over 18)
Step-by-Step Family Visa Application Process
1. Online Application
- Submit your application via the GDRFA website or mobile app.
- Alternatively, visit an authorized typing center.
2. Document Submission
- All resulting documents have to be uploaded or submitted document needed for the specific form of gambling must be provided.
3. Pay Fees
- Pay the visa processing fees online or at the typing center.
4. Medical Fitness Test
- Dependents over 18 must undergo a medical fitness test at an approved center.
5. Emirates ID Application
- Apply for the Emirates ID for each dependent.
6. Visa Stamping
- Once approved, the visa will be stamped in your dependent’s passport.
Tips for a Smooth Application Process
- Prepare Documents Early: Check all documentation is available.
- Check Validity: Make sure your residence visa and the tenancy contract copied are legal.
- Stay Updated: Always visit the GDRFA website to update yourself on the new information put forward regarding the matter.
Read Also: How to Get an RTA Card for Uber in Dubai
Final Words
It is important that when you decide to sponsor your family in Dubai you should have an understanding of the cost of sponsoring, the requisite procedures in sponsoring as well as who is legally allowed to do so. These costs range from three thousand to seven thousand AED and if properly and correctly done, it will never surface as an issue. There are things in which you cannot afford to go wrong and by being informed and well prepared your family arrives in Dubai complication-free.
