Contact Us
Dependent Visa · Dubai & UAE

Dependent Visa in the UAE: Sponsor Your Spouse, Children and Parents

If you hold a UAE residence visa, you can sponsor your family to live with you. Avyanco checks your eligibility, handles the documents, the application and the visa issuance for your family, and you meet the salary and housing rules with confidence.

Get my family visa quote See how to apply
  • 11,500+ businesses supported
  • DET license #909402
  • GDRFA and ICP filings handled
2 to 6 weeksTypical time for complete issuance
AED 4,000Minimum monthly salary to sponsor a spouse or children (AED 3,000 with housing)
AED 10,000Minimum monthly salary to sponsor parents
AED 3,200*Estimated cost per person, from, before our fee
Fit check

Can you sponsor your family? Check these first

Eligibility depends on your own residence visa, your income and your housing. We review all three before anything is submitted.

You can usually sponsor if

  • You hold a valid UAE residence visa: employment, investor or partner, or Golden Visa
  • You earn AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 with company accommodation
  • You have an Ejari-registered tenancy contract as proof of accommodation
  • You have attested marriage or birth certificates to prove each relationship

Check before you apply

  • Sponsoring parents needs AED 10,000 a month and suitable housing, with a two-bedroom property
  • Stepchildren need a notarised no-objection certificate from the biological parent
  • A newborn must be registered within 120 days of birth, or daily fines apply
  • Changing jobs or cancelling your visa affects every family visa on your file
Overview

How a UAE dependent visa works

A dependent visa lets a UAE resident sponsor a spouse, children and, with higher income, parents. A dependant who wants to work needs a separate work permit or employment approval, and the visa is renewed every one to two years.

Avyanco assesses who you can sponsor, prepares the documents, submits the application and follows it through to visa stamping and the Emirates ID. We explain the requirements and charges before you commit.

Watch: what a UAE free zone is, in 35 seconds

Dubai visas: GDRFAOfficial portal, app and Amer centres
Other emirates: ICPSmart Services, UAEICP app and typing centres
Family members

Who can you sponsor in the UAE?

Most close family members qualify, each with its own conditions. These are the main rules we check for you.

01 · SPOUSE AND CHILDREN

Spouse, sons and daughters

You can sponsor your spouse with an attested marriage certificate and any required Arabic translation. Sons can be sponsored under 25 and unmarried daughters without an upper age limit, subject to conditions.

Spouse (attested marriage certificate)SPOUSE
Sons under 25SON
Unmarried daughters, no upper age limitDAUGHTER
Stepchildren, with a notarised NOCSTEPCHILD
Children of determination, no age limitDETERMINATION
Parents, with higher income and housingPARENTS
02 · PARENTS
AED 10,000

Monthly income for parents

Parents also need a two-bedroom home, proof of dependency, insurance and a deposit.

03 · NEWBORNS
120 days

To register a newborn

Apply within 120 days of birth. A fine of AED 100 a day applies after that.

04 · WORKING DEPENDANTS

A work permit is separate

A dependant who wants to work must obtain the required work permit or employment approval.

05 · GOLDEN AND GREEN VISA

Wider family sponsorship

Golden Visa holders can sponsor a spouse, children of any age and parents, without continuous salary re-verification.

Requirements

Dependent visa requirements by family member

SPOUSE

Spouse visa

You can sponsor your spouse with the attested marriage certificate and any required Arabic translation. We also review the documents for any additional attestation before submission.

ProofMarriage certificate
Attested byUAE MOFA
TranslationArabic, if required
  • Attested marriage certificate
  • Arabic translation where required
  • Working women can sponsor a husband and children on the same salary rule
Discuss my family visa
Cost

Dependent visa cost in Dubai

The estimate covers government processing fees, the mandatory medical test, identity documents and health insurance. Our professional fee is quoted separately.

Estimated UAE dependent visa government costs per person, in AED
Processing itemSpouse or child (AED)Parent (AED)
Entry permit or status change500 to 1,100*500 to 1,100*
Residence visa stamping or approval500 to 700*500 to 700*
Medical fitness test (aged 18+)320 to 500*320 to 500*
Emirates ID issuance370 to 470*270 to 370* (1 year)
Mandatory annual health insurance (basic)650 to 1,600*2,500 to 4,500*
Refundable immigration security depositNot applicable2,500*
Avyanco professional feeCustom quoteCustom quote

Scenario A, a spouse and two children inside the UAE: government processing fees about AED 6,800* (entry permits, medical tests, status change, biometrics, ID cards) plus basic health insurance about AED 2,900*. Total estimated outlay, excluding professional fees: about AED 9,700*.

Scenario B, both parents inside the UAE: government processing fees about AED 4,800*, an immigration security deposit of AED 5,000* (refundable) and basic senior health insurance about AED 5,000*. Total estimated outlay, excluding professional fees: about AED 14,800*.

Tell us who you want to sponsor, your visa type and where the family is today, and we quote the full scope with transparent pricing.

Get my family visa quote
Where to apply

GDRFA or ICP: where should you apply?

The portal depends on the emirate that issued the sponsor's primary residence visa.

Where to file a UAE dependent visa application, by the emirate that issued the sponsor's visa
Sponsor's residence visa issued inAuthorityWays to apply
DubaiGDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs)GDRFA portal, GDRFA mobile app or licensed Amer centres
Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or Umm Al QuwainICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security)ICP Smart Services portal, UAEICP app or approved federal typing centres

When it is time to renew your family's visas, check the expiry dates and coordinate the applications with your own residence status: see our visa renewal service.

How to apply

Five steps to a UAE dependent visa

The process depends on the family member, the emirate and the sponsor's residence category. These are the stages we coordinate.

  1. 1

    Check eligibility and requirements

    Your residence visa must be valid and your salary must meet the minimum. You also need proof of each relationship, such as an attested marriage or birth certificate.

  2. 2

    Prepare and submit documents

    We collect the Emirates ID, salary certificate, tenancy contract (Ejari), your passport and each dependant's passport and certificates, then submit them.

  3. 3

    Entry permit or status change

    We start the status change for dependants already in the UAE, or apply for an entry permit if they are outside the country.

  4. 4

    Medical fitness and Emirates ID

    Dependants aged 18 and over complete the medical fitness test and Emirates ID processing before the visa is issued.

  5. 5

    Visa stamping and residency

    After the tests and approvals, the residence visa is stamped in the passport and your family's stay is legal.

Documents come firstCertificates issued outside the UAE may need attestation, so we check every document before filing.
Family inside or outside the UAEWe can process the visa while your family is abroad, starting with the entry permit, then the status change, Emirates ID and medical test.
Why Avyanco

One partner-led team, start to finish

Licence, bank account, visas and tax handled by one named advisor, with government fees and our fee always shown separately.

11,500+Businesses formedMainland · Free Zone · Offshore
45+Free ZonesRAKEZ · IFZA · DMCC · DIFC · KEZAD
21+Years' advisory experiencePartner-led firm, founded 2020
4.8★Client rating745 verified Google reviews
Client stories
“We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.”
Nikhil NadangaGoogle review · May 2026
Read all reviews on Google ↗
Your advisors

Partner-level specialists on every leg

Chandy JosephSales Director · UAE Company SetupAstha JoshiTeam Manager · Business DevelopmentDhirendra KhadkaBusiness Development Manager · Tax & Company FormationTanya AshiqBusiness Setup Consultant · UAE Company Formation
What's included

What Avyanco handles for your dependent visa

Government portals, document attestation and medical scheduling take time and care. We handle each operational stage of the family sponsorship so your applications keep moving.

Avyanco graphic reading Your family visa, handled for you, over a passport with visa stamps on a world map
A personal checklistWe give you a checklist built for your family, so you know every requirement.
  • Eligibility checked before filing
  • Documents attested and prepared
  • Medical test and Emirates ID arranged

Eligibility & documents

  • Eligibility checked: age, status and sponsor's income
  • Certification and legalisation of documents (consular legalisation and MOFA)
  • A personalised checklist for your requirements

Applications & medicals

  • Applications submitted through GDRFA or ICP
  • Medical examinations arranged
  • Emirates ID obtained on your behalf

Renewals & support

  • Renewal support, including timely medical tests and insurance
  • Health insurance and WPS reports processed
  • PRO support for other government procedures
Documents

Documents for a UAE dependent visa, by applicant

The documents depend on the sponsor category and each family member's circumstances. We confirm the exact list for your case before filing.

6 documents
  • Original ID of the sponsor
  • Copy of the sponsor's passport
  • Copy of the sponsor's residence visa
  • Employment contract (private sector) or salary certificate (government or semi-government)Employees
  • Trade license copy with the Memorandum of AssociationPartners and investors
  • Ejari-registered tenancy contract as proof of accommodation
Avyanco checklist of documents needed for a UAE dependent visa, for the sponsor, spouse and children, and parents
Attestation for foreign certificatesCertificates issued outside the UAE may need attestation: see our document clearing service
Your case may differAsk us which documents apply to your sponsor status and family members
FAQ

Questions about sponsoring your family

Can’t find your answer?

A senior advisor replies within one business day.

Call usWhatsApp
How long does it take to get a dependent visa in the UAE?

A dependent visa takes 2 to 6 weeks to issue, and medical tests are scheduled promptly. Complex cases may take longer.

Can I apply for a dependent visa in Dubai online?

Yes. You can apply online through the official GDRFA smart portal or mobile app, or through accredited typing centres.

What minimum salary is required for a wife visa in Dubai?

The minimum salary is AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 with accommodation. Meet the eligibility rules and follow the full sponsorship process to apply.

Can a working woman sponsor her husband and children?

Yes. Working women can sponsor their husband and children by meeting the minimum salary requirement.

Up to what age can I sponsor my son?

You can sponsor sons up to the age of 25. Sons of determination can be sponsored with no age limit.

Is it possible to sponsor only one parent?

Only in exceptional legal circumstances, such as submitting an official death certificate or a legal divorce decree for the other parent.

Can you process dependent visas while my family is outside the UAE?

Yes. We apply for the entry permit first, then complete the remaining steps, including the status change, Emirates ID and medical fitness test.

What happens to my family's visas if I change jobs?

Your family visas should either be put on hold through the official immigration channels or be cancelled. They can be re-issued once your new primary residence visa is active.

Keep reading

Guides to help you decide

All insights →
FAMILYUAE Family Visa: How to Sponsor Your Family (2026)Read guide →
RENEWALVisa Renewal in UAE: Residence Visa RenewalRead guide →
CANCELLATIONVisa Cancellation in the UAE: Process, Cost & FeesRead guide →
GOLDEN VISAGolden Visa ServicesRead guide →
Start today

Start your dependent visa in the UAE.

Enjoy legal residency in the UAE with your family by your side. From document preparation to visa stamping, we manage every step so your family can join you safely and efficiently. Tell us who you want to sponsor and we take care of the rest. No obligation.

  • Eligibility, salary and housing checked before filing
  • Government fees and our fee quoted separately
  • Documents, medicals, Emirates ID and visa stamping coordinated end to end
Talk to Pritesh, head of operationsTypically replies within one business day
Call+971 50 398 9000WhatsAppChat nowEmailinfo@avyanco.com
DET licence #909402FTA-registered tax agents11,500+ businessesFixed fee · no hidden costs

Confidential · No obligation · We never share your details

Sources: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation · Amer and typing centres. *Prices shown are indicative, may change, and exclude Avyanco's professional fee, which is quoted separately.

Verification & independence: Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is a private firm, independent of GDRFA, ICP and every other UAE authority, and not affiliated with any UAE government agency. Salary thresholds, fees, age limits and processing times are set by the relevant authorities, vary by emirate and case, and change over time. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm your position with the authority or with us before acting.