A UAE dependent visa permits a resident sponsor to have family members live in the UAE with them. To sponsor a spouse or children, you need at least AED 4,000 in monthly pay or AED 3,000 with housing from your employer. This is the case regardless of the sponsor’s position. Sponsoring parents requires a substantially greater wage, and the amount may vary depending on your emirate. Here’s all you need to know about the regulations, costs and process for 2026.
What Is a UAE Dependent Visa?
A UAE dependent visa is a residence permit for family members of a UAE resident. It is also called a family visa. It lets a spouse, child, or parent live in the UAE under someone else’s sponsorship.
The person who applies for the visa is called the sponsor. The family member who receives it is called the dependent. The dependent’s visa is linked to the sponsor’s own residence visa. If the sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the dependent’s visa must be cancelled too.
Two government bodies manage this process:
- ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) – sets national rules.
- GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) – handles applications in Dubai and works with local rules in each emirate.
Who Can Sponsor a Dependent Visa in the UAE?
You can sponsor family members if you meet these basic conditions:
- You hold a valid UAE residence visa.
- You earn the minimum salary set for your case.
- You can prove your relationship to the family member.
- You have suitable housing for your family.
Both men and women can sponsor a spouse, since recent reforms allow women to sponsor their husbands too. Business owners, freelancers with a valid permit, and Golden Visa holders can also sponsor family members, often with easier rules.
Minimum Salary Requirements in 2026
Salary rules are different depending on who you want to sponsor.
| Dependent | Minimum Monthly Salary | Notes |
| Spouse | AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 + housing | No profession restriction applies |
| Children | AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 + housing | Same rule as spouse |
| Parents | Higher threshold, often quoted between AED 10,000–20,000 | Amount depends on the emirate; confirm with ICP or GDRFA |
Housing counts toward your income. If your employer gives you free accommodation, that benefit can help you meet the salary rule.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Spouse
You can sponsor your husband or wife with an attested marriage certificate.
Children
Sons can be sponsored until age 25, a rule raised from 18 under the 2022 reforms to cover the full period of higher education. Unmarried daughters can be sponsored at any age. Children with disabilities can be sponsored with no age limit.
Parents
A foreign employee usually has to sponsor both parents together, not just one. You also have to verify that you are their only support and there is no one else to look after them in their own country. You can sponsor only one parent with legal proof if one parent is dead or the parents are divorced.
Stepchildren
You can sponsor a stepchild, but GDRFA usually asks for a deposit and a written no-objection letter from the biological parent.
Golden Visa and Green Visa Holders
Golden Visa holders can sponsor children of any age with no limit on how many dependents they bring, and can sponsor parents without meeting the usual income rule. Green Visa holders get similar flexibility for close family members.
Documents Needed to Sponsor Children
- Entry permit application
- Passport copies of the child and sponsor
- Passport-size photos
- Marriage certificate (attested)
- Birth certificate of the child (attested)
- Sponsor’s salary certificate or employment contract
- Tenancy contract in the sponsor’s name
- Medical fitness certificate (for children 18 and older)
Documents Needed to Sponsor Parents
- Entry permit application
- Passport copies of both parents
- Birth certificate showing the family relationship
- Proof that the sponsor is the sole provider (affidavit or similar document)
- Proof of housing suited to the family size.
- Health insurance policy for each parent
- Salary certificate, payslip, or employment contract
- Death certificate or divorce papers (only if sponsoring one parent alone)
- Security deposit receipt, if required by your emirate
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Check your eligibility. Confirm your salary and housing meet the current rules for the dependent you want to sponsor.
- Gather your documents. Collect and attest all required papers before you start.
- Apply for an entry permit. If your family member is outside the UAE, apply through ICP or GDRFA for an entry permit first.
- Bring the dependent into the UAE. They enter on the entry permit if they were abroad.
- Complete the medical fitness test. Anyone aged 18 or older must pass a medical test at an approved center.
- Apply for Emirates ID. Book a biometric appointment and submit ID application forms.
- Get the residence visa stamped. Once approved, the dependent’s passport is stamped with the residence visa.
- Keep track of the 60-day window. You have 60 days after your dependent enters the UAE to apply for their residence visa.
UAE Dependent Visa Cost in 2026
| Item | Estimated Cost |
| Entry permit | AED 500–700 |
| Medical fitness test | AED 320–500 per person |
| Emirates ID | AED 100–300 |
| Health insurance (child) | AED 800–3,000 per year |
| Health insurance (parent, 60+) | AED 5,000–15,000 per year |
| Security deposit (per parent) | AED 2,000–5,000, refundable |
| Typing and service fees | AED 200–500 |
The total first-year cost for a child is usually a few thousand dirhams. For a parent, the total cost often runs from AED 5,000 to over AED 15,000, mainly because of insurance and the deposit.
Read Also: UAE Emirates ID Guide
Visa Validity and Renewal
- Parents’ residence visas are granted on a yearly basis, no matter how long the sponsor’s own visa lasts.
- Spouse and children’s visas usually match the length of the sponsor’s residence visa.
- If a dependent’s visa expires or is cancelled, they get a 6-month grace period to get a new one.
- Missing the renewal deadline can lead to fines for the sponsor.
Read Also: UAE Visa on Arrival Countries List
Special Rules for Sponsoring Parents
Sponsoring parents comes with extra steps that spouse and child sponsorship do not need:
- You must sponsor both parents at the same time, unless you have proof one cannot be included.
- You must show you are their only means of support.
- You pay a deposit for each parent as a guarantee, set by your local immigration department.
- You need larger housing, often a minimum of a two-bedroom home.
- Health insurance for parents usually costs more, especially for those over 60.
Read Also: UAE Residence Visa Renewal Process
Final Thoughts
Sponsoring a family member in the UAE is easier than it seems, if you know the rules. Wives and children follow a simple, fixed salary rule. It’s a tougher path for parents with more paperwork, a higher income bar and an annual renewal cycle.
The hazard is not in the procedure itself. It’s putting on old numbers. The salary limits, the amount of the deposit and the insurance premiums for parents change often and differ from one emirate to another. Before you pay out any money at any step, check the latest figures with ICP or your local GDRFA office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor my parents on a UAE dependent visa?
Yes. You must sponsor both parents together in most cases, meet a higher salary threshold than for a spouse or child, and provide proof you are their main support.
What is the minimum salary to sponsor a family member in the UAE?
For a spouse and children, the minimum is AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 plus housing. Parents need a higher salary, which varies by emirate.
Can I sponsor just one parent instead of both?
Only with proof, such as a death certificate or divorce papers for the other parent.
Do I need medical insurance for my dependents?
Yes. Every sponsored family member needs valid UAE health insurance, renewed every year.
How long does a dependent visa last?
Spouse and children’s visas usually match the sponsor’s own visa length. Parents’ visas are issued yearly, regardless of the sponsor’s visa duration.
What happens if I cancel my UAE residence visa?
All dependent visas tied to your sponsorship are cancelled too, and dependents get a 6-month grace period to arrange a new visa.
Can a mother sponsor her children in the UAE?
Yes, in special cases approved by the ICP.
Do Golden Visa holders have easier rules?
Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor children of any age with no limit on numbers, and can sponsor parents without meeting the usual salary rule.
