2024 introduces significant changes to Dubai family visas, greatly impacting expatriates who wish to reunite with their families in the UAE. These updates include the ability for parents to sponsor male children up to the age of 25 and to sponsor disabled children with special permission. Furthermore, the rules now allow the indefinite sponsorship of unmarried daughters, marking a major development in family reunification efforts.
In this article, we focus on understanding the new regulations for family visa in Dubai. It is essential to be familiar with the associated costs, necessary documentation, and the detailed application process to successfully obtain a Dubai family visa. Being well-informed about these aspects is key to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free family relocation to the UAE.
Understanding the Family Visa in UAE
UAE family visa allows UAE residents to bring their immediate family members (spouse, children, and parents) to the UAE. A family visa gives permission to your family members to live and work in UAE for as long as the primary sponsor meets the visa and income requirements.
Benefits of a Family Visa
Getting a Dubai family visa has many benefits, some of which are mentioned below:
- Family reunification with a spouse, children, and parents. This helps reduce stress and keeps the family happy together.
- A legal family residence visa allows a spouse to work in Dubai or UAE.
- Access to healthcare, education, and other social services.
- Safe, high standard of living with modern amenities and infrastructure.
- Easier travel flexibility and long-term residency options.
Eligibility and Sponsorship Requirements
If you want to bring your family members to Dubai, you must sponsor them for Dubai residence entry.
Sponsorship Requirements for Family Visa
Here are the family visa sponsorship requirements one must follow:
- The sponsor must have accommodation in Dubai (rented or owned).
- Expats in Dubai or the UAE must be employed or own a business to sponsor their family members.
- To apply for their family’s residence visa after they enter the UAE under an entry permit, Sponsors get a certain number of days. The number of days depends on immigration regulations in the country of origin. For example, Latvians get 90 days, while some other countries only have 30 days.
Minimum Salary for Sponsorship
To qualify for the Dubai family visa, expatriates must meet income thresholds, which vary depending on the sponsor’s gender. To sponsor your family, a man must earn a minimum salary of around Dh3,000 to Dh10,000. Additionally, for UAE visa applications, family members aged 18 and above must undergo mandatory medical fitness tests.
Women Sponsoring Family Members: Rules and Conditions
A working woman with a valid UAE residence visa and work permit can sponsor her husband and children. However, there are a few conditions:
- Women must earn at least AED 4,000 monthly or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
- The woman must have a valid Emirates ID, a residence visa, and a tenancy contract.
- She can sponsor her husbands, children under 18 years of age, male children above 18, and female children until married.
Step-by-Step Family Visa Application Process
Step 1: Preparing Documents
The list of documents required for the family visa in Dubai includes:
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- Completed Visa Application Form: Accessible online or in paper format. This is the initial step in the application process.
- Passport Copies (Applicant and Sponsor): You need essential identification documents that establish the identity of both the applicant and the sponsor.
- Recent Passport-size Photographs on a White Background: They are required for identification purposes and showcase the professional and formal nature of the application.
- Certificate of Medical Fitness: Mandatory for family members above 18 years, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being in the immigration process.
- Sponsor’s Employment Contract and Salary Certificate: Validates the financial capability of the sponsor, demonstrating the ability to support the family members.
- Legalized Marriage Certificate: Confirms the marital relationship with the spouse, ensuring legal recognition in the visa application.
- Kids birth certificate: If the kid is from a previous marriage, NOC from the mother/father allowing them to change residency country should be provided.
- Tenancy Agreement or Title Deed: Proof of residence in Dubai, establishing the applicant’s connection to the local community.
Step 2: Application Submission
Once you have gathered all the required documents, the next step is to submit your application. The sponsor must submit the family visa application either online through the UAE’s official government portals or in person at the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) office. Also, pay the application fees and submit the application form separately for each family member you want to sponsor.
Step 3: Medical Check-ups and Emirates ID
Medical tests are a mandatory requirement for family visa applicants in Dubai over the age of 18. These tests involve checking for conditions like HIV and tuberculosis, and they must be conducted at authorized healthcare facilities within the UAE. This process is essential to ensure that family members relocating to Dubai meet the health criteria set by local authorities for family visa sponsorship, thereby promoting the safety and well-being of the community.
Emirates ID
Obtaining an Emirates ID is a vital step for family visa applicants in Dubai. All UAE residents must apply for this official identity document once they have entered the country. The Emirates ID serves as the primary form of identification in the UAE and is essential for numerous procedures and services, including access to healthcare, banking, and government services. Obtaining this document is a key step in the process of integration and settlement in Dubai.
Step 4: Final Visa Stamping
Once the medical checks are cleared and the Emirates ID is processed, the final stage is visa stamping. Submit your family members’ passports for visa stamping at the relevant GDRFA office or through a service center. You can learn the family visa status when you receive a passport with a visa stamp. This allows your family members to stay and work in the UAE under certain conditions.
Medical Insurance for Family Visa
Health insurance or medical insurance is a prerequisite for family visa applicants in Dubai. This insurance must cover all dependents of the sponsor and is mandatory to ensure access to health services in the UAE. Providers offer varying insurance costs and coverage, which you should carefully consider when planning for family reunification in Dubai. This requirement reflects the importance the UAE places on the welfare and safety of all its residents. It is important that you obtain these documents from official entities and follow the established protocols.
Cost and Processing Time For Family Visa in UAE
The cost and processing time for obtaining a family visa in Dubai are critical aspects that applicants should carefully consider. The Dubai family visa involves a variety of costs, including application fees, deposits and other additional charges.
Generally, The cost of a Family Visa in Dubai varies, ranging from AED 300 to AED 3,000 or higher, depending on the number of applicants. The processing time for a Dubai family visa can extend up to 60 days. Applicants should ensure they budget appropriately for these expenses and be ready for the financial aspects of the process. Additionally, the processing time can vary, influenced by factors like the accuracy and completeness of the submitted documentation and the current policies in place.
Sponsoring Different Family Members
Sponsoring family members for a visa in Dubai involves careful planning and understanding of the criteria and requirements. The Dubai family visa permits sponsors to bring their spouses, children, and, under specific conditions, parents. The eligibility criteria for sponsoring parents and stepchildren are also specific and should be thoroughly considered.
Sponsoring Wife and Children: Rules and Conditions
Here are some of the conditions for family sponsorship in Dubai:
Spouse (wife) Visa
You need to provide proof of your marital relationship. This generally involves submitting a marriage certificate, which should be attested (authenticated) by relevant authorities in the home country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE. Your wife must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining. The wife’s residence visa is typically valid for one to three years, depending on the sponsor’s employment status and the type of visa issued.
Children’s Visa
The Dubai child visa, a component of the Dubai family visa, is of great importance to expatriates seeking to bring their children to the UAE. With the recent regulations, sons can now be sponsored up to the age of 25. Sponsoring sons and families is a significant advantage for families with children in college or launching their careers.
In addition, unmarried daughters can be sponsored with no age limit, providing greater flexibility and security for families. This inclusive and family-oriented approach to visa policy reflects Dubai’s commitment to family welfare and unity. In addition, this facilitates the integration of children into UAE society. For a children’s visa, the applicant needs to provide an attested birth certificate.
Sponsoring Parents: Eligibility and Deposit Requirements
The Dubai parent visa, under the family visa framework, allows expatriates to sponsor their parents, thus strengthening family ties in the UAE. The income requirements for sponsoring parents are more specific and typically higher.
Reflecting the need to ensure adequate financial stability for elder care, this policy underscores the respect and value Dubai places on the family unit. It allows expatriates to keep their elderly loved ones close, providing them with a comfortable and secure life in the UAE.
Costs of Family Visa in Dubai
Several factors determine the cost of a Dubai Family Visa, such as the applicant’s location, visa validity, and type of health insurance.
Visa Fees for Family Sponsorship
Family visa charges in Dubai 2024 involve various costs beyond the basic visa fee. These include fees for service providers, documentation, attestation, and related services. Generally, The cost of a Family Visa in Dubai varies, starting from AED 3,000 depending on the number of applicants. The processing time for a Dubai family visa can extend up to 40 days.
Applicants should ensure they budget appropriately for these expenses and be ready for the financial aspects of the process. Additionally, the processing time can vary, influenced by factors like the accuracy and completeness of the submitted documentation and the current policies in place.
Medical Examination Costs
As part of the visa application process, all family members over the age of 18 must undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the health requirements for living in Dubai. The cost of the medical examination varies by the healthcare provider but generally falls within the range of AED 300 to AED 500 per person (and to AED 800 for VIPs).
Renewal Fees
Family visas in Dubai are typically valid for two years. Renewal fees must be paid when extending the visa, and the costs can be similar to the initial application. On average, renewal fees range from AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 per person, depending on the length of extension and type of visa.
New UAE Family Visa Rules 2024
Here are the 2024 rules for UAE family visas:
- A person with a valid UAE residence visa and a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation can sponsor their families.
- The type of profession will no longer affect family members’ eligibility for a Dubai residence visa type.
- Both fathers and mothers in Dubai or UAE can sponsor children.
- Visa validity will depend on the labor contract.
- Sponsors have some days (depending on immigration rules of country of origin) to apply for dependents’ visas after arrival.
- Applicants aged 18+ need a UAE medical fitness test to get a valid family visa status.
- For wives, the marriage certificate is required, which can be translated into Arabic or English.
- Certain Muslims with valid residence can sponsor two wives under specific conditions.
- Stepchildren can be sponsored for a family visa under the GDRFA guidelines
- Women with an AED 8,000+ salary plus accommodation can sponsor families.
Tips for a Smooth Family Visa Application
- Gather all your documents early and get the attestation prior to applying for a family residence visa or residence permit.
- For Dubai visa sponsorship, make sure all the non-English or non-Arabic documents are professionally translated.
- To bring your family members to Dubai, it is better to start with a visa entry permit. This process takes a few days. After this, you can start with a family residence visa.
- Ensure your family members are aware of the mandatory medical tests required for spouse visa approval or UAE family sponsorship.
It is better to take advice on required documents and visa processes from professional Dubai visa services experts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2024 family visa Dubai regulations offer significant opportunities for expatriates seeking to reunite their families in the UAE. From meeting the basic eligibility criteria to gathering the necessary documents, each step of the process is crucial to ensure a successful application.
A detailed understanding of the costs involved the application process, and the importance of the entry permit, medical evidence, Emirates ID and health insurance are essential for a smooth integration in Dubai. In addition, with these recommendations, applicants can successfully navigate the process and revel in an enriching own family lifestyle within the UAE.
A detailed understanding of the costs involved in the application process, the importance of the entry permit, medical evidence, Emirates ID, and health insurance is essential for a smooth integration in Dubai. In addition, with these recommendations, applicants can successfully navigate the process and revel in an enriching family life within the UAE.
