To sponsor family in the UAE you need a valid residence visa and a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. What changes from one relative to the next is the paperwork, the age rules and the deadlines. This checklist goes relative by relative so you can gather everything before you open the application.
What each relative needs
| Relative | Main condition | Extra item or deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Wife | Attested marriage certificate, in Arabic or translated into Arabic by a certified translator | A Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor two wives in strict cases under ICP conditions |
| Daughters | Unmarried, no age limit | Medical test if 18 or over |
| Sons | Up to age 25 | Sons of determination have no age limit |
| Newborn in the UAE | Apply within 120 days of birth | Applying late can mean fines |
| Relative who entered on an entry permit | Apply within 60 days of entry | Keep the entry permit date handy |
| Stepchildren | Written no-objection certificate from the biological parent | A deposit for each child; visa valid for one year and renewed yearly |
| Parents | Both parents sponsored together, unless official papers show one has died or the parents are divorced | Proof you are their sole support, a deposit for each parent and yearly medical insurance |
A mother can sponsor her children in cases that ICP approves. A UAE citizen’s foreign-passport spouse, parent or child can receive a 5-year visa without needing to work in the UAE.
Document checklist for a wife and children
- The application form, online or through a registered typing office
- Passport copies and photos of your wife and each child
- A medical clearance certificate for every family member aged 18 or over
- A copy of your employment or company contract, and a salary certificate stating your monthly salary
- The attested marriage certificate
- A registered tenancy contract
Medical test and your visa’s link to yours
Family members aged 18 and over must pass a medical fitness test at an approved health centre in the UAE, and anyone found medically unfit is not granted a residence visa. A dependant’s visa is tied to the sponsor’s. If your visa expires or is cancelled, your dependants have a 6-month grace period to obtain a new permit. For the full salary rules, including what is reported but not published on the official page for women sponsors, see our UAE family sponsorship guide.
Illustrative Case: Counting the Deadlines
The family in this example is made up. A resident’s wife enters the UAE on an entry permit on 1 March. The 60-day window for applying runs out on 30 April, so the resident books the medical test and gathers the tenancy contract and salary certificate in March. Separately, a baby born in the UAE on 10 January has until 10 May (120 days, in a non-leap year) to be added. Putting both dates in the phone calendar the day each event happens is the simplest way to avoid late fines.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sponsor only one parent?
Only with official documents showing the other parent has died or that the parents are divorced. Otherwise both parents must be sponsored together.
How long is a parent’s visa valid?
One year, renewed yearly, whatever the length of your own visa.
Do conditions change?
Yes. The official page itself notes that conditions change over time, so confirm the current list with ICP, or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai cases, before you pay anything.
Where to go next
Related guides
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- UAE Visa Options 2026: tourist, student and Golden Visa guide for 2026
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