Everything You Need To Know About Family Visa in UAE

The UAE government introduced several new amendments to the visa system in 2024, offering a range of visit visas for different purposes and durations, including tourism, medical treatment, business, and education. In 2024, the visa system will continue to focus on attracting global talent and skilled workers by expanding the Golden Visa and Green Visa categories. New in 2024, UAE residents have greater flexibility to sponsor family members, with extended visa validity periods and an easier application process through online platforms. For those planning to bring their families to the UAE, visa options now include longer entry permits for relatives and a simplified renewal process. Additionally, residents can sponsor parents, siblings, and other family members under less restrictive rules, making reunification easier.

UAE Family Visit Visa News 2024

The UAE government introduced several new amendments to the visa system in 2024, offering a range of visit visas for different purposes and durations, including tourism, medical treatment, business, and education. In 2024, the visa system will continue to focus on attracting global talent and skilled workers by expanding the Golden Visa and Green Visa categories. New in 2024, UAE residents have greater flexibility to sponsor family members, with extended visa validity periods and an easier application process through online platforms. For those planning to bring their families to the UAE, visa options now include longer entry permits for relatives and a simplified renewal process. Additionally, residents can sponsor parents, siblings, and other family members under less restrictive rules, making reunification easier.

Requirements For a UAE Family Visit Visa

Some of the UAE Family Visit Visa Requirements per the UAE government are:

• • One must be a UAE citizen, a valid residence visa holder, or a right residence permit holder living in the country. Green Visa and Golden Visa holders are also eligible to sponsor their families with fewer restrictions.
  • A minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 per month must be earned, plus accommodation if you are a male. Female sponsors must have a minimum wage of AED 10,000 or 8,000 plus accommodation. 
  • Certain professions are now exempt from these minimum salary thresholds, especially those falling under the Green Visa and Golden Visa categories.
  • Provide proof of family kinship, such as an attested marriage certificate or birth certificate in Arabic or one correctly translated to get a family visa in the UAE. Digital submissions of attested documents are now accepted, speeding up the process.
  • Submitting a copy of your family’s confirmed flight booking and travel insurance must be provided. The insurance requirement is mandatory for all family members and must include COVID-19 coverage.
  • Passport-sized color photographs and a visa application form duly filled out for each family member are mandatory.
  • The visa fee is paid, and a bank approval letter is required.
  • Family members of the individual older than 18 must also pass a medical fitness examination at a UAE health facility approved by the government.

What is the Validity of a UAE Family Visa?

The validity for a family visa in UAE is as follows:   

• • An entry permit for visiting relatives and friends in the UAE is valid for three months (90 days) from the date it was issued. The UAE government has introduced easier extension options for entry permits, allowing visitors to extend their stay without leaving the country through a streamlined online process.
  • The UAE family visa can be renewed with a simple procedure. Additionally, automatic renewal is available for certain categories of visa holders, including Golden Visa and Green Visa sponsors.
  •  A family visa in UAE can be issued for 1,2, or 3 years with renewal 30 days before its expiry.
  • In visa expiry or cancellation cases, the family visa becomes void. 

What are the Rules to Be Followed for a UAE Family Visa? 

There are specific rules and regulations regarding family visas in UAE. These new rules for family visas in UAE are as follows: 

• • A minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000, plus accommodation, is still required for men. The minimum wage for a female sponsor remains AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation. For Green Visa and Golden Visa holders, salary requirements may be relaxed, especially for high-skilled professionals and investors.
  • Proof of family kinship is still mandatory, requiring an attested copy of a marriage certificate or birth certificate in Arabic or translated by a certified translator. Digital attestation of documents is accepted, making the process faster and more convenient.
  • The sponsor can take care of their children, stepchildren, parents, and spouse under specific terms and conditions. 
  • A child above 18 must undergo medical and fitness tests at approved health centers in the UAE. 
  • The residency visa must be applied for after 120 days of the birth of a child in such cases to avoid a fine.
  • Parents can sponsor their male child until age 25 and their female child until married. Sponsorship beyond 25 is available in special circumstances, such as higher education or medical needs, based on approval by authorities.
  • The type of profession is no longer a condition. 
  • The dependent’s residence visa and Emirates ID are united. The sponsor simply applies for the residence visa and Emirates ID together. 

What are the Residency Visa Rules For Children Sponsored By Parents?

The residency visa rules for children sponsored by their parents for family visas in the UAE are as follows– 

• • The sponsor must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, a valid residence visa holder, or a residence permit holder residing in that country. Green Visa and Golden Visa holders now also have expanded eligibility to sponsor their children with fewer restrictions.
  • A minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 and accommodation for men is a must. The minimum wage for a female sponsor is AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation. Certain professionals, especially those under the Green and Golden Visa categories, may be exempt from these salary thresholds
  • The guarantor must provide the child’s birth certificate certified in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a sworn translator.
  • The family’s father can only sponsor her daughter if she is unmarried, regardless of age. 
  • The parents can only sponsor their unmarried son till the age of 25. However, sponsorship can be extended beyond that age in special cases, such as higher education or medical requirements, subject to approval by the relevant authorities
  • There are no restrictions in sponsoring children with special needs. 
  • The parent sponsoring a stepchild has to provide a deposit for each child and a 

non-objection certificate from the biological parent. The visa is only valid for one year and must be renewed yearly. 

• • A child above 18 must undergo medical and fitness tests at approved health centres in the UAE. 
  • The residency visa must be applied for after 120 days of the birth of a child in such cases to avoid fine. 
  • The expiry date of the child’s residency visa will not exceed that of the sponsor.  

How to Apply For The UAE Family Visit Visa?

The application to visit your family and friends in UAE is available offline and online to make the system more feasible and less complicated. 

• Applying Online

A resident can easily apply for a family visa in UAE online by these easy steps: 

• • • Check if you are eligible for a visa or visa-free entry upon arrival in the United Arab Emirates. If you still need to, you must apply for a tourist visa. 
    • Choose a tourist visa according to your purpose and length of stay. 
    • There are five-year multiple-entry tourist visas, 90-day tourist visas, 30-day tourist visas, and transit visas.
    • Decide how to apply for a tourist visa. You can apply through airlines, hotels, travel agencies or online platforms. 
    • Prepare necessary documents such as a passport copy, photo, health insurance card, bank statement, ticket, and proof of residence. Apply and pay the fee. 
    • You can track your application status online. Receive your visa by email or courier and print it out before your trip.

What is the Online Application Process for the UAE Family Visit Visa? 

A resident can easily apply for a family visa in UAE online by these easy steps: 

• • • Check if you are eligible for a visa on arrival or visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates. If you still need to, you must apply for a tourist visa. 
    • Choose a tourist visa according to your purpose and length of stay. There are five-year multiple-entry tourist visas, 90-day visitor visas, and 30-day transit visas. Find a licensed writing center where you can submit your visa application. 
    • Search for ICP-registered Writing Centers or DDRFA Writing Centers. 
    • Prepare the necessary documents, such as a passport copy, photo, health insurance, bank statement, ticket, and proof of residence.
    • Proof of relationship from the embassy is also required if this is not in your passport. 
    • Pay the fee and submit your application to the Writing Center.
    • Track your application status through the DDRFA website or App. 
    • Receive your visa by email or courier and print it out before your trip.

• Applying Offline

A resident can easily apply for a family visa in UAE offline with these simple steps: 

• • Typing centers: Residents can apply for offline visa applications through licensed typing centers where the application is processed through the GDRFA of the emirate. The resident receives a message confirming the acceptance as soon as the application gets approved.
  • Amer Centers: The government of Dubai specifies that all entry permits and visa transactions must be carried out through the centers of Amer.

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