To sponsor your family to live with you in the UAE, the first and foremost requirement is to have a valid residence visa. This visa can either be a work visa sponsored by your employer or a self-sponsored visa such as a Green, Investor, or Golden Visa.
Once you have secured your own residence visa, there are specific conditions and criteria you need to meet to be eligible to sponsor your family.
Financial Requirements:
You need to have a stable income to sponsor your family. The minimum monthly salary required is Dh4,000. However, if your monthly salary is Dh3,000, you must also provide housing for your family. This financial stability ensures that you can support your family financially while they reside in the UAE.
Medical Fitness:
Adult family members above the age of 18 are required to undergo a medical fitness test at approved health centers in the UAE. This medical examination is to ensure that they are in good health and do not pose a public health risk. If any health issues, such as tuberculosis, are detected, treatment may be required. However, depending on the severity of the condition, they may still be eligible for a residence visa.
Visa Application Timeline:
After your family members enter the UAE with an entry permit, you have a period of 60 days to apply for their residence visa. For newborn babies born in the UAE, you need to apply for their residence visa within 120 days of their birth to ensure their legal status in the country.
Sponsoring Parents:
If you wish to sponsor your parents, you must sponsor both parents together. In cases where one parent is absent or divorced, you will need to provide official documentation to justify why you are only sponsoring one parent. The residence visas for parents are renewed annually, and you need to meet the salary requirement set by the immigration department of the emirate where your visa was issued.
Sponsoring Children:
You can sponsor your unmarried daughter of any age. For sons, you can sponsor them until they reach the age of 25. However, if your son has special needs, there is no age limit for sponsorship. Additionally, you can also sponsor your stepchildren, but the rules and requirements vary by emirate. For example, in Dubai, you are required to deposit a certain amount of money for each child and obtain a no-objection letter from the biological parent. The residence visas for stepchildren are valid for one year and can be renewed annually.
Required Documents: To sponsor your wife and children, you need to submit several documents including:
- An application form, which can be obtained online or from a typing office.
- Copies of passports and photos of your family members.
- Medical clearance certificates for family members above 18 years old.
- Your employment contract or details of your company.
- A salary certificate from your employer.
- An attested marriage certificate translated into Arabic.
- A registered tenancy contract as proof of residence.
Visa Renewal and Cancellation:
If your residence visa is canceled for any reason, the visas of your family members will also be canceled since they are linked to your visa.
In such cases, your family members have a six-month grace period from the date of visa expiry or cancellation to either renew their visas or leave the country.
Failure to renew or cancel their visas within this grace period may result in fines imposed on the sponsoring individual.
By understanding and fulfilling these requirements, you can successfully sponsor your family to live with you in the UAE and enjoy a fulfilling life together in this vibrant and diverse country.
