United Arab Emirates visaJoin family in the UAEUAE family residence visa for Indian spouses, children and parents
A UAE resident earning AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus employer accommodation, can sponsor a spouse, sons up to 25 and unmarried daughters of any age; parents need AED 20,000 (or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom home) and medical insurance. The sponsor applies on GDRFA Dubai or ICP for an AED 210 entry permit per dependant, the family enters within 60 days, adults take the medical test, everyone gives Emirates ID biometrics and the residence permit (AED 240) is issued for the sponsor's visa period. Attested marriage and birth certificates are the gate.
6 min read Verified 29 October 2026 against gdrfad.gov.ae · How we verify
United Arab Emirates family residence visa: quick answers
- Who can sponsor family in the UAE?
- Any resident, male or female, on an employment, investor, Green or Golden visa with a salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation provided by the employer; the salary must appear on the MOHRE contract or a salary certificate. Golden Visa holders sponsor spouse and children of any age without the salary test. Parents require AED 20,000 (or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom tenancy), health insurance and, in some emirates, a deposit.
- What does it cost?
- AED 200 plus 5% VAT (AED 210) per dependant for the entry permit, then the medical fitness test for dependants aged 18 and over (about AED 320), the Emirates ID (about AED 370 for two years) and the residence permit (AED 240, plus AED 500 if the dependant is already inside the country). Indian marriage and birth certificates need MEA and UAE Embassy attestation in India (about INR 1,500 to 3,000 each through agencies) and UAE MOFA attestation (AED 150) after arrival.
- How long does it take from India?
- GDRFA issues the entry permit within 48 hours of a complete application and the residence permit within a week of the medical and biometrics, so two to three weeks from filing to residence is typical. Attestation in India takes two to four weeks and should be done before the sponsor files.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Family residence visa (sponsored), valid for the sponsor's visa period |
| Government fee | AED 210 entry permit per dependant; residence AED 240; Emirates ID about AED 370 |
| Sponsor salary | AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation; AED 20,000 for parents |
| Processing | 48 hours for the permit; 2 to 3 weeks end to end |
| Where to apply | Sponsor on GDRFA Dubai or ICP, or at an Amer centre |
| Who | Spouse, sons to 25, unmarried daughters, parents (annual visa) |
| Work | Dependants may work with a MOHRE family-sponsored work permit |
| Verified | 29 Oct 2026 against gdrfad.gov.ae and u.ae |
Who qualifies to sponsor and be sponsored
Since 2022 any resident can sponsor family regardless of job title; the test is salary and housing. The sponsor needs AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation provided by the employer, shown on the MOHRE contract or a salary certificate for government and free-zone staff, plus a tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) and a valid Emirates ID. Sons can be sponsored to age 25 (extended for students), unmarried daughters at any age, and a wife can sponsor her husband and children if she is in a professional role or meets the salary rule.
Parents are sponsored on a one-year visa that needs a salary of AED 20,000, or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom home, mandatory health insurance for each parent and, in some emirates, a refundable deposit; both parents must be sponsored together unless one is deceased or divorced. Dependants aged 18 and over take the medical fitness test; children under 18 are exempt.
Marriage and birth certificates issued in India must be attested by the state Home Department or notary, the Ministry of External Affairs and the UAE Embassy in India, then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs after arrival. A marriage registered under the Special Marriage Act or a personal-law marriage with a registered certificate is accepted; a religious ceremony without registration is not.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | AED | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit for family residence | 210 per dependant | AED 200 + 5% VAT; GDRFA Dubai |
| Inside-country change of status | +500 | Plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation dirhams |
| Medical fitness test (18 and over) | About 320 | Blood test and chest X-ray |
| Emirates ID, 2 years | About 370 | AED 100 per year plus issuance |
| Residence permit, 2 years | 240 | AED 200 + knowledge, innovation and delivery |
| UAE MOFA attestation | 150 per certificate | Marriage and birth certificates after arrival |
| Health insurance | From about AED 700 a year per person | Mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
Vistolane charges the AED 210 permit at the official rupee rate per dependant and shows it on the price card; attestation and insurance are paid to the providers.
How the application runs, step by step
- 1
Attest certificates in India
Marriage and birth certificates: Home Department or notary, MEA, UAE Embassy; two to four weeks.
- 2
Sponsor files the entry permit
On GDRFA Dubai, ICP or at an Amer centre with the contract or salary certificate, tenancy, Emirates ID and attested certificates; approval within 48 hours.
- 3
Family enters within 60 days
The permit allows a 60-day stay to complete formalities; dependants already in the UAE change status inside the country.
- 4
Medical and Emirates ID
Adults take the medical test; everyone gives biometrics at an ICP centre. MOFA attests the certificates (AED 150 each).
- 5
Residence permit
Issued electronically for the sponsor's visa period and linked to the Emirates ID, which arrives within a week.
Timeline for an Indian applicant
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Attestation in India | 2 to 4 weeks | MEA and UAE Embassy |
| Entry permit | 48 hours | Sponsor files |
| Travel | Within 60 days | Flights and school enrolment |
| Medical, Emirates ID, MOFA | 5 to 10 days | Appointments after arrival |
| Residence permit | 3 to 7 days | Electronic issue |
File two to three weeks before the family's planned arrival once attestation is complete; school admission deadlines in Dubai (KHDA) often drive the date.
After arrival
The family's residence is tied to the sponsor's visa and must be renewed with it; if the sponsor's visa is cancelled the dependants have the same grace period to leave or find a new sponsor. Dependants may work with a MOHRE work permit sponsored by the employer without changing their family visa, and children must be enrolled in school between ages four and eighteen.
Dependants of Golden Visa holders receive residence for the same 10 years. Parents' visas are annual and need the deposit and insurance renewed each year. The UAE offers no citizenship route to most expatriates, so family planning turns on keeping the sponsor's visa valid and on the Green and Golden options described on the employment visa page.
Document checklist: sponsor
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| MOHRE contract or salary certificate | AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation; AED 20,000 for parents |
| Tenancy contract (Ejari) and utility bill | Two-bedroom for parents |
| Emirates ID and passport copy | Valid residence visa |
Dependant
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid 6 months and photos | White background |
| Marriage certificate attested by MEA and UAE Embassy | Then UAE MOFA (AED 150) |
| Birth certificates attested | For each child; NOC from the father if the mother sponsors |
Arrival
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Medical fitness test (18 and over) | Approved centre |
| Emirates ID biometrics | ICP centre |
| Health insurance | Mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Salary below the rule
The sponsor's MOHRE contract shows under AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 without accommodation.
The fix. Provide an updated contract or salary certificate; housing allowance must appear on the contract to count.
Certificates not attested
Marriage or birth certificate without MEA and UAE Embassy stamps, or a religious marriage without registration.
The fix. Complete attestation in India and register the marriage under the applicable Act before filing.
Medical fitness failure
Tuberculosis, HIV or hepatitis found at the dependant's arrival test.
The fix. Treatable TB receives a conditional visa; other results end the application.
Sponsor's record
Expired residence, pending fines or a visa not linked to a valid Emirates ID.
The fix. Renew the sponsor's documents and clear fines before applying.
Parents' file incomplete
No two-bedroom tenancy, missing insurance or only one parent sponsored.
The fix. Sponsor both parents together with insurance and the required tenancy; some emirates also require the deposit.
Official sources
United Arab Emirates family residence visa questions
Other United Arab Emirates routes
Visit the UAE
Tourist visa (30 or 60 days)
AED 210 per person (30-day single entry, incl. VAT)
Read the route
Study in the UAE
Student residence visa
AED 210 entry permit (sponsored by the university)
Read the route
Work in the UAE
Employment visa (work residence)
AED 210 entry permit (employer-paid)
Read the route
Long-term residence
Golden Visa (10-year residence)
AED 1,920 residence permit (10 years)
Read the route