The Sponsor Family Visa in the UAE allows expatriate residents to bring their immediate family members to live with them in the country. To qualify, sponsors must hold a valid residence permit and meet specific criteria, including a minimum salary requirement and passing medical fitness tests for dependents. This visa facilitates family reunification, enabling expatriates to sponsor their spouses, children, and even parents under certain conditions. With a straightforward application process and necessary documentation, expatriates can ensure their loved ones join them in the vibrant and dynamic environment of the UAE.
Expatriate residents in the UAE can sponsor their family members to live in the country, provided they hold a valid residence permit or visa. Understanding the specific requirements and processes involved is crucial for expatriates looking to reunite with their loved ones in the UAE.
To sponsor family members, the expatriate sponsor must meet the following criteria:
- Salary Requirements: The sponsor must earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 with accommodation provided by the employer.
- Medical Fitness Tests: Family members over the age of 18 must undergo medical fitness tests at approved health centers in the UAE. These tests are mandatory for the issuance of a residence visa.
- Application Timeline: Sponsors have a window of 60 days to apply for their dependents’ residence visa after entering the UAE on an entry permit.
- Medical Fitness Considerations: Individuals found medically unfit will not be granted a residence visa. However, those detected with dormant pulmonary tuberculosis may receive a Health Fitness Certificate for one year, subject to treatment.
- Changing Regulations: It’s essential for sponsors to stay updated with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) as sponsorship conditions may change.
Specific Sponsorship Details
1. Sponsoring Spouses and Children
- Expatriate residents can sponsor their spouse and children if they fulfill the general requirements.
- An attested marriage certificate, translated into Arabic if necessary, is required to prove the marital relationship.
- Unmarried daughters can be sponsored regardless of age, while sons can be sponsored until the age of 25. Sons of determination, or those with special needs, can be sponsored without age restrictions.
- For newborns, a residence visa must be applied for within 120 days of birth to avoid fines.
2. Sponsoring Stepchildren
- Expatriate residents can also sponsor stepchildren. This process requires a no-objection certificate from the biological parent and a deposit for each child. The residence visas for stepchildren are valid for one year and can be renewed annually.
3. Sponsoring Parents
- An expatriate can sponsor both parents, provided they can prove sole financial support and that no other family member is available to care for them. A medical insurance policy is mandatory for each parent, and a deposit is required as a guarantee.
Required Documentation
To successfully sponsor family members, the following documents must be submitted:
- Completed application form (available online or through a registered typing office)
- Copies of the passports of the spouse and children
- Recent photographs of the spouse and children
- Medical clearance certificates for family members over 18
- A copy of the husband’s employment contract or company contract
- Salary certificate from the employer confirming the monthly salary
- Attested marriage certificate
- Registered tenancy contract
Cancellation of Sponsorship
The residence permits of family members are tied to the sponsor’s visa. If the sponsor’s visa is canceled, the visas of the dependents must also be canceled. Dependents are granted a six-month grace period to obtain a new residence permit following expiration or cancellation. Failure to act may result in fines.