How to Sponsor Your Family in the UAE: 2026 Guide

Who can sponsor a family visa

UAE residents who meet the salary and housing requirements can sponsor their spouse or children to live with them. Eligibility is checked against your salary certificate or employment contract and a valid, registered tenancy contract (Ejari), the exact salary threshold varies by emirate and by family member, generally starting around AED 4,000 with accommodation provided. If you're unsure whether you qualify, it's worth confirming your specific case before applying.

The overall process

1. 1Eligibility checkConfirm your salary, tenancy and document requirements are met.
2. 2Entry permit or status changeAn entry permit is issued if your family member is outside the UAE, or a change of status if they're already here.
3. 3Medical testRequired for anyone above a certain age, as part of the residency process.
4. 4Emirates ID applicationBiometrics and application for the Emirates ID card.
5. 5Visa stampingThe residence visa is stamped in the passport, completing the process.

Documents you'll need

• Sponsor's passport, Emirates ID and residence visa
• Salary certificate or employment contract
• Ejari (registered tenancy contract)
• Attested marriage certificate for a spouse, or attested birth certificate for a child
• Passport photos

For a closer look at the document requirements, see our guide to documents required for a UAE family visa.

What it typically costs and how long it takes

DocuGulf's service fee for a family visa is AED 3,200, covering coordination and delivery, with government fees shown separately and itemised at cost. The all-in market cost, including government fees, is typically around AED 2,500–3,500 depending on the emirate and options chosen. The full process, from entry permit to stamped visa, usually takes two to four weeks.

The one step people miss most

The most common cause of delay isn't the visa process itself, it's realising, partway through, that the marriage or birth certificate hasn't been attested yet. That step alone can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, so it's worth starting it as soon as you decide to sponsor family. See our guide on spouse sponsorship, step by step for how the two processes fit together.

Key takeaways

Key takeaways: Eligibility depends on salary and a registered tenancy contract, with thresholds varying by emirate and family member. The process runs from entry permit or status change, through medical and Emirates ID, to stamping, usually two to four weeks. DocuGulf's fee is AED 3,200 plus government fees at cost. Attest your marriage or birth certificate early, as it's a hard prerequisite that often causes delays if left too late.

A note on scope: DocuGulf is a documentation facilitation service. All kinds of work is performed by licensed notaries, translators and approved typing centres. Reach us at info@docugulf.com or +971 58 569 3628.