If you are working in the UAE and want to bring your family to live with you, the first question is usually about salary. This article covers the exact income thresholds for both residence and visit visas, who you can sponsor, the full document checklist, and the ICP visit visa fees.
Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, children, or extended family for a visit, you will know the exact requirements by the end of this article.
Eligibility — who you can sponsor
Residence visa sponsorship
Expatriate residents can sponsor the following family members for a UAE residence visa:
- Spouse
- Unmarried daughters (no age limit)
- Sons under 25 years old
- Children with special needs (no age limit)
Holders of the Green visa are also entitled to sponsor first-degree relatives.
A UAE citizen's spouse, parent, or child who holds a foreign passport can get a UAE residence visa for 5 years without having to work in the UAE. In this case, the sponsor is the UAE citizen.
A foreign widow or divorced woman who is the mother of a UAE citizen can get a residence visa without having to work in the UAE.
Visit visa sponsorship
For visit visas, the relationship tier determines the salary threshold:
- First-degree relatives (father, mother, spouse, son, daughter): minimum salary AED 4,000
- Second-degree relatives (siblings, grandparents, grandchildren): minimum salary AED 8,000
- Third-degree relatives (uncle, aunt, cousins): minimum salary AED 8,000
- Friends: minimum salary AED 15,000
If sponsoring through Emirates Airlines, the thresholds differ:
- Wife, children, parents, parents-in-law: AED 4,000
- Brothers, sisters, dependents: AED 5,500
- Brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law: AED 7,000
- Friends and other relatives: AED 10,000
Who does not qualify
Sons over 25 are not eligible for family residence visa sponsorship unless they have special needs. The sources do not list other explicit exclusions beyond failing to meet the criteria above.
Required documents
You will need the following for a family residence visa application:
- Passport copy — Must be valid for no less than 6 months. Colour copy required.
- Personal photo — Colour photograph of the family member being sponsored.
- Proof of relationship / kinship — Birth certificate, marriage certificate, or family book. These often require translation and attestation from the home country.
- Valid salary certificate / labour contract — Proves the sponsor meets the minimum income threshold. Must be a valid Arabic copy from MOHRE, a free zone authority, or a government employer.
- Sponsor's UAE residency / ID — Valid passport copy, UAE residency visa copy, or UAE ID copy (front and back).
- Tenancy contract (Ejari) — Proof of accommodation in the UAE.
- Medical fitness test certificate — Required for all family members who have completed the age of 18. Must be cleared through approved health centres in the UAE.
Fees and costs
Visit visa fees (via ICP)
Application fee: AED 100 (government fee)
Visit visa issuance — single entry per month: AED 100 (government fee)
Visit visa issuance — multiple entry per month: AED 200 (government fee)
Smart service fee: AED 100 (government fee)
Residence visa fees
The exact fee for family residence visa processing varies by case — our team will give you the precise figure for your situation.
Additional costs not included in the above: medical fitness testing fees, health insurance premiums, document translation and attestation fees, and typing centre fees.
Process and timeline
The family visa process involves coordination between multiple authorities. The general sequence is:
1. Confirm eligibility — Verify your salary meets the threshold and your relationship qualifies 2. Prepare documents — Gather and attest all kinship documents, salary certificates, and housing proof 3. Entry permit — Apply for an entry permit for the family member to enter the UAE (if they are outside the country) 4. Medical fitness test — The family member completes the medical examination at a DHA-approved centre (required for those over 18) 5. Emirates ID application — Apply for the family member's Emirates ID 6. Visa stamping — The residence visa is stamped in the family member's passport
The official processing timeline is not published in ICP or GDRFA sources. Timelines vary based on document completeness and authority workload.
Recent changes
The salary threshold rules have been updated. Employees can now sponsor their families regardless of their job titles if they earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Previously, certain job titles were excluded from family sponsorship.
Common questions
Can I sponsor my family if I am not a manager?
Yes. Job title is no longer a factor. If you earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, you can sponsor your family regardless of your position.
Do my dependents need a medical test for a UAE family visa?
Yes. The medical fitness examination applies to all those who have completed the age of 18. Children under 18 are exempt from the medical test.
What happens to my family's visas if my visa is cancelled?
The family's residence permits are linked to the sponsoring family member's visa. If your visa is cancelled, your dependents' visas must also be cancelled. They are granted a 6-month grace period to obtain a new residence permit.
Is there a grace period if my family's visa expires?
Yes. Dependents are granted a 6-month grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visas to obtain a new residence permit. This is longer than the standard 60-day grace period for employment visas.
What is the minimum salary to sponsor my brother for a visit visa?
If applying via ICP, you need a minimum monthly salary of AED 8,000 for second-degree relatives (siblings). If sponsoring through Emirates Airlines, the minimum for brothers and sisters is AED 5,500.
"Information verified against Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and GDRFA as of February 2026. Requirements and fees subject to change — confirm current figures directly with Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and GDRFA before proceeding."