For most expatriates living in the UAE, bringing your family together is not just a legal process, it is a life priority. The UAE Family Visa (also called a family residence visa or family sponsorship visa) allows a UAE resident to legally sponsor their spouse, children, and in some cases parents, so they can live, study, and thrive in the country alongside you.

At Nines Consultancy, we handle the entire family visa process on your behalf, from eligibility checks and document preparation to submission, medical coordination, Emirates ID, and final stamping. One call and we take care of the rest.

resident to sponsor immediate family members. Once approved, sponsored family members receive their own UAE residence visa, Emirates ID, and access to healthcare, education, and banking in the UAE.

The family visa is linked to the sponsor’s residency status. If the sponsor’s visa is renewed or cancelled, the dependent’s visa is affected accordingly. This makes it important to keep all documentation current, something Nines Consultancy actively tracks for our clients.

1. Spouse

A UAE resident can sponsor their husband or wife. The spouse must not be of a nationality restricted by UAE immigration rules. An attested marriage certificate is required. Wives can also sponsor their husbands, subject to meeting the financial eligibility criteria.

2. Children

Children can be sponsored under the following conditions:

• Sons and daughters under 18 years of age
• Male children aged 18–25 who are enrolled in full-time university education
• Unmarried daughters can be sponsored by their father without any age limit
• Children with special needs can be sponsored regardless of age

3. Parents

Parents can be sponsored, though the eligibility requirements are significantly stricter. Sponsors must demonstrate a higher income threshold than is required for a spouse or children, and must show that the parents have no other means of financial support and that the sponsor is their sole provider.

To sponsor family members in the UAE, the sponsor must meet the following core conditions:

Minimum Salary: The sponsor must meet a minimum monthly salary threshold set by UAE immigration authorities, or a lower threshold if accommodation is provided by the employer.

Parent Sponsorship: A higher income threshold applies when sponsoring parents, reflecting the additional healthcare and support considerations involved.

Valid UAE Residency: The sponsor must hold an active UAE residence visa, whether through employment or business ownership.

Adequate Housing: A valid tenancy contract (Ejari-registered in Dubai) must be held in the sponsor’s name.

Health Insurance: Mandatory for all sponsored family members and must be active before visa issuance.

Employer Approval: A salary certificate or employment contract confirming income and position is required.

Having the right documents is the most critical factor in a smooth approval. Nines Consultancy will verify and prepare all documents before submission to avoid delays or rejections.

For Sponsoring a Spouse:

• Completed visa application form
• Passport copy of spouse (valid for at least 6 months)
• Passport-sized photos (white background)
• Marriage certificate — attested and translated into Arabic by a certified translator
• Salary certificate from employer stating monthly income
• Employment contract or trade license (for business owners)
• Registered tenancy contract (Ejari for Dubai)
• Health insurance policy for the sponsored spouse

Additional Documents for Children:

• Birth certificate — attested and translated into Arabic
• For sons aged 18–25: proof of university enrolment
• For children with special needs: medical report

Additional Documents for Parents:

• Proof that the sponsor is the sole financial provider
• Proof that parents have no other means of support in their home country
• Proof of relationship (birth certificate of sponsor)

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Before starting the application, confirm that you meet the minimum salary requirement and have a valid, active UAE residency visa. Nines Consultancy provides a free initial eligibility check — contact us on WhatsApp: +971 52 975 7543.

Step 2: Prepare and Attest Documents

Gather all required documents. Any documents issued outside the UAE — such as your marriage certificate or children’s birth certificates — must be officially attested by the UAE embassy in the country of issue and then authenticated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). We coordinate the attestation process on your behalf.

Step 3: Submit the Entry Permit Application

The application is submitted online via the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security) portal, or through an authorised typing centre or Amer Centre in Dubai. Nines Consultancy handles this submission for you.

Step 4: Family Member Enters UAE

Once the entry permit is approved, your family member can travel to the UAE. The entry permit is typically valid for 60 days and must be used within that window.

Step 5: Medical Fitness Test

All family members above a certain age must undergo a mandatory medical fitness test at an approved UAE health centre. This tests for communicable diseases. Results are typically ready within 2–3 working days.

Step 6: Obtain Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all sponsored family members. It must be activated before visa stamping. We can connect you with reliable, compliant health insurance providers in the UAE.

Step 7: Visa Stamping in Passport

Once the medical test is cleared and health insurance is active, the residence visa is stamped into the passport. This officially grants residency status.

Step 8: Apply for Emirates ID

The final step is applying for the Emirates ID — the mandatory national identity card for all UAE residents. Biometrics are captured during this step. The ID is typically delivered within 5–10 working days.

The standard processing time is typically 2 to 4 weeks from document submission to final visa stamping. Delays can occur if documents are incomplete, medical results are pending, or attestation takes longer than expected. Working with Nines Consultancy significantly reduces processing time because we submit complete, verified applications the first time.

Renewal

Family visas in the UAE are typically issued for 1 or 2 years, aligned with the sponsor’s own visa validity. Renewal involves repeating the medical test, health insurance update, and Emirates ID renewal. Nines Consultancy sends renewal reminders and handles the process for ongoing clients, so nothing is ever missed.

Cancellation

If a family member permanently leaves the UAE or if the sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the dependent’s visa must be officially cancelled through the ICP. Failure to cancel before departure can result in fines and entry bans. We advise all clients to handle cancellations properly — contact us for guidance.

End-to-End Management

From eligibility check to Emirates ID, we handle every step. You never have to deal with government portals, typing centres, or attestation offices yourself.

Zero Rejections Policy

We verify all documents before submission. Our thorough review process dramatically reduces the risk of rejection or delay.

Up-to-Date on UAE Rules

UAE immigration rules change frequently. Our team stays current with ICP, GDRFA, and Amer Centre requirements across all Emirates.

Transparent Process

No guesswork and no hidden steps. We walk you through exactly what’s needed before we begin, so you always know what to expect.

All Emirates Covered

We process family visas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.

Renewal Reminders & Ongoing Support

We track your family’s visa expiry dates and notify you in advance so renewals are never missed.