Residence visa for family members
Both, employers and employees with valid UAE residence visas can sponsor residence visas for their families. Unlike before, employees can sponsor their families regardless of their job titles if they earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Clearing medical fitness examination applies to all those who have completed the age of 18.
Sponsorship requirements
Expatriate residents may bring in his/her spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 years old, and children with special needs. Holders of the Green visa are also entitled to sponsor first-degree relatives.
The sponsor must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
Male and female family members who are to be sponsored and who have completed the age of 18 need to undergo and pass medical fitness tests at approved health centres (PDF, 1 MB) in the UAE.
Source: ICP
The conditions are subject to change from time to time. Kindly check with Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or GDRFA.
Locate government medical fitness centres of:
Useful links: Cancellation The family's residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring family member. If the sponsoring family member's visa is cancelled, it requires cancellation of the visas of the dependents. Dependents are granted a 6-month grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visas to obtain a new residence permit. If the sponsor fails to renew or cancel the visa of his dependents, he could be liable to pay a fine.
Residence visa for a UAE citizen's spouse, parent and child
A UAE citizen’s spouse, parent or child, who holds a foreign passport, can get a UAE residence visa for 5 years without having to work in the UAE. In this case, the sponsor shall be the UAE citizen.
A foreign widow or divorced woman, who is a mother of a UAE citizen, can get a residence visa without having to work in the UAE. In this case, the sponsor shall be the oldest child.
Source: The Executive Regulation of the Law No. 29 of 2021 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners (PDF, 500 KB).
Read about visit visa for a relative or friend.
Updated on:
27 Feb 2026
