Living alone in the UAE can be challenging and stressful. If you have moved recently to the UAE and are thinking of moving your family with you, read our guide on the complete process that explains the visa process for your family.
Being an expat resident, you can always apply for a family visa for your spouse and dependent children. After getting your employment or investor resident visa for UAE, you can start the simple process for family visa application. The cost of a family visa is covered by the family sponsor and you will ensure that their visa is applied for within 60 days from date of entry into the UAE.
To be eligible for applying for a family visa, you need to ensure a minimum salary of AED 3,000-4,000 including an accommodation place for your family to stay. Moreover, any kind of professional resident visa holder is eligible to apply and is not linked to the profession of the resident. Please note that the requirements for applying for a visa for your parents or step-children vary from emirate to emirate. In this case, you need to contact the immigration department of your respective emirate to ensure you meet all the visa requirements.
The following documents are required if you need to apply a visa for your spouse or children:
- An application form, which can be obtained online or through a registered typing office
- Copy of the passport for your spouse and children
- Recent photos for your spouse and children
- Copy of the sponsoring person’s employment contract or company contract
- Salary certificate from the employer with monthly salary mentioned
- Marriage registration certificate in Arabic or translated in Arabic by certified translator
- Valid Tenancy contract
After compiling all the above mentioned documents, you can either submit a visa at the Amer Centre in Dubai or through the online website. For submitting the visa application physically, you need to visit the Amer centers in Dubai or typing centers across the UAE. You need to visit the center with all your required documents as they are necessary for submitting the visa.
The Amer centers are allowed to accept visa applications on behalf of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai. The typing centers are registered with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
A family visa can be also applied online using one of the following websites or applications:
- ICP website- icp.gov.ae
- GDRFA-D Website- gdrfad.gov.ae
- The ‘DubaiNow’ app, which can be accessed through Apple and Android devices
- The ICP UAE app, which can be accessed through Apple and Android devices
After applying for a visa, all the family members above the age of 18 are required to undergo a medical exam at the approved medical facilities only. The suitable medical center can be selected at the time of submitting the visa application to make it convenient for you. Please take the application form that was given to you at the visa application center for the medical exam. In case of an online visa application, take the print out of the submitted application. The results of your medical exam will be sent to you in 24-48 hrs.
Lastly, you will be required to collect your Emirates ID. This can be collected from an Emirates Post office near you or you can request a courier service. This option is available for selection at the time of submission of your visa application. The Emirates ID is an important document for your identification and should be with you at all times in the UAE.
The visa cost is also important to take into consideration before applying a visa. The total cost may vary depending on the service center but an estimated cost is mentioned below:
- Cost of entry permit= AED 50
- Cost of File Opening= AED 300
- Cost of Emirates ID for two years= AED 385
- Cost of Medical Exam= AED 320
- Cost of Visa Stamping= AED 580
However, if your family is already in the UAE, they need to pay an additional cost of AED750 to change their visa status.
In case of any more questions, reach out to our expert team for your visa processing.
Related Articles:
Degree / Document Attestation from UAE/Dubai Embassy, Pakistan
Degree / Document Attestation from Ministry of Foreign Affair (MOFA)