Residence Visa for Family Members in the UAE: Application Process, Price, and Duration

Expatriates comprise the majority of the population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly within the workforce. This concise guide aims to offer clarity on the application process and regulations necessary for obtaining residency for an employee/employer's family in the UAE. Join us as we navigate the steps, pricing and duration of acquiring a residence visa for your family members.

Since the 2019 amendment to the UAE family sponsorship policy, both employers and employees holding valid UAE residence visas can sponsor residence visas for their families. This revision marks a notable departure from the previous policy, which limited sponsorship eligibility to individuals in certain professions. Notably, employees now have the authority to sponsor their families regardless of their job titles, provided they meet specific financial criteria. Specifically, the individuals must earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.

Rules for sponsoring families:

1. Sponsoring wife and children:
a) An expatriate resident may sponsor the residence visa for his family (wife and children) if he meets the sponsorship requirements mentioned above
b) To sponsor the wife, the expatriate resident must provide evidence of an existing marital relationship by submitting an attested marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a   certified translator

2. Sponsoring two wives:
In specific cases, a Muslim resident may be permitted to sponsor his two wives if he satisfies certain terms and conditions set by ICP.

3. Sponsoring daughters:
An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter/s only if she/they are unmarried, with no age restrictions.

4. Sponsoring sons:
A male or female resident can sponsor his/her son/s until he reaches the age of 25. Sons with special needs can be sponsored without age restrictions.

5. Sponsoring Newborns:
For babies born in the family in the UAE, a residence visa must be applied within 120 days of birth to avoid fines.

6. Sponsoring stepchildren:
a) An expatriate resident can sponsor his stepchildren, subject to GDRFA’s conditions, which include a deposit for each child and a written no-objection certificate from the biological parent
b) Their family residence visas are valid for one year and can be renewed annually

Application process for a residence visa for family members in the UAE:

Application process for residence visas for family members in the UAE involves a straightforward procedure, whether done online or in person at the embassy. If family members are already in the UAE, they'll need to apply for a change of status.

However, if family members are outside the country, they should follow these simple steps:

Cost of a family visa in the UAE:

The pricing of a family visa in the UAE varies depending on the emirate and the type of visa required. As one of the leading business licensing authorities in the UAE, at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), a comprehensive package is provided for family visas at competitive rates. The package includes all necessary fees, with a price of around AED 3,000. Additionally, express services are available for an additional charge. It's important to be aware that there are also extra charges for in-country visa applicants

Timeline:

The timeline for processing your application spans just a few business days, encompassing the following stages:

1. Three business days are allocated for the issuance of the entry permit
2. Subsequently, an additional five business days are allocated to complete Emirates ID and residence approval procedures

FAQs:

1. What happens if the sponsoring family member's visa is cancelled?
If the sponsoring family member's visa is cancelled, it necessitates the cancellation of the visas of the dependents linked to their residence permit.

2. Is there a grace period for dependents after the cancellation of their family visas?
Yes, dependents are granted a grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visas to obtain a new residence permit.

3. What are the consequences if the sponsor fails to renew or cancel the visa of his family?
If the sponsor fails to renew or cancel the visa of his family within the specified timeframe, they could be liable to pay a fine.

4. How long is a family residence visa in the UAE valid?
A family residence visa in the UAE can be issued for 1, 2, or 3 years. Renewal can be processed at least thirty days prior to the expiry date.