Sub-service · Residence visas · Family

Family (Sponsor) Visa in the UAE

A family (sponsor) visa lets a UAE resident bring their spouse, children and — under conditions — parents into the country on their own residence. The sponsored visa follows the sponsor: same validity, same renewals, and it is the reason most founders add a visa quota to their license package.

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Updated September 2026 · market data verified methodology

Sponsor salary: AED 4,000+ or 3,000 + accommodation
Spouse: Yes marriage certificate attested
Children: Sons to 25 unmarried daughters, students
Parents: Case by case higher threshold may apply

UAE residence · general

Benefits and requirements of a UAE residence visa

Benefits

Legal UAE residency for the route's term — renewable while conditions hold
Family sponsorship: spouse, children and, on many routes, parents
0% personal income tax on salary and earnings
UAE bank account, credit cards and a local driving licence
Multiple entries with no travel restrictions while the visa is active
Access to insurance-based private healthcare and government centres

Requirements

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Medical insurance accepted in the UAE
Entry permit with a change of status, in country or abroad
Medical fitness test at a UAE health centre
Emirates ID registration with biometrics
Route-specific proof of eligibility and a clean immigration record

General rules for UAE residence visas — each route and emirate applies its own conditions, and this page covers this visa’s specifics below.

Process

How the investor visa process goes

Check the threshold
day 0

Salary certificate or offer letter plus accommodation evidence (Ejari) — the sponsor's documents come first.
Entry permits for family
1–5 days

File entry permits through ICP with attested civil documents (marriage/birth certificates).
Medicals and Emirates ID
1–2 weeks

Each family member completes the medical test and biometrics after entry.
Residence stamped
1–2 weeks

Sponsored residence is issued with the same validity as the sponsor's visa and renews together.

Typical package sequence in the snapshot: License registration → Establishment card → Investor visa → Corporate bank account (1,833 of 2,047 packages follow this order).

Zones

Where packages include the investor visa

Route	Who qualifies	Validity
Spouse	Attested marriage certificate; sponsor salary from AED 4,000/month or 3,000 + company accommodation	tied to sponsor
Children	Sons up to 25 (students) and unmarried daughters; birth certificates attested	tied to sponsor
Parents	Conditions apply — proof of sole support and a higher salary threshold; case-by-case approval	1–2 years, renewable
Domestic staff	Golden Visa holders and qualifying residents may sponsor housekeeping	tied to sponsor

Programme rules as of 2026 — confirm current thresholds with ICP or the free zone before applying.

Frequently asked questions

What salary do I need to sponsor my family?

From AED 4,000/month, or AED 3,000 plus company-provided accommodation. Parents require a higher documented income and proof that the applicant supports them.

How long can sponsored family members stay?

Their residence matches the sponsor's visa validity and renews together — a 2-year company visa means 2-year family visas.

Do documents need attestation?

Yes — marriage and birth certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy in the issuing country and the MOFA.

Can a Golden Visa holder sponsor parents?

Golden Visa holders have broader sponsorship rights, including parents and domestic staff, under the programme's conditions.

Golden visa Broader sponsorship rights, 10 years Green visa Self-sponsored 5-year route Company setup The license that starts the sponsorship chain

Planning an investor visa for your company?

We match the license package to your visa plan — quota, family sponsorship and bank account in one scope.