United Arab Emirates•Asia

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Residence Visa - Dependent

Residency Pathway Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 days

Estimated Cost

AED 740 AED

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Matches sponsor

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in United Arab Emirates

Cost of Living

20% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryAED 140,400

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Residence permit for family members sponsored by a UAE resident with AED 4,000+ monthly income.

The UAE Residence Visa for Dependents enables UAE residents to sponsor spouse, children, and parents for legal residency. Dependent status is directly tied to the sponsor's UAE residence visa—if the sponsor's visa lapses, the dependent's visa cancels. Dependents gain residency rights, healthcare access, and can work with a separate permit.

To qualify, the sponsor must hold a valid UAE residence visa and earn at least AED 4,000 monthly (or AED 3,000 plus employer housing). Fees total AED 740: AED 200 residence permit, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, AED 500 processing, and AED 20 delivery. Processing takes 48 hours; the permit is stamped in the passport upon approval of complete documents.

This visa is ideal for expatriate workers bringing family members to the UAE for extended residence.

Cost Breakdown

Residence permitAED 200 AED

Knowledge DirhamAED 10 AED

Innovation DirhamAED 10 AED

Fee inside countryAED 500 AED

DeliveryAED 20 AED

TotalAED 740 AED

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Arab Emirates

Employment Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 days

View Visa Details

United Arab Emirates

Golden Visa (5/10 Year)

Validity10 years

Processing2–5 days

View Visa Details

United Arab Emirates

Green Visa

Validity5 years

Processing2 days

View Visa Details

United Arab Emirates

Investor Visa

Validity3 years

Processing1–3 weeks

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Sponsor is UAE resident

Meets minimum salary threshold

Accommodation

Medical fitness

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

48,000 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Marriage/birth certificate (attested)

Sponsor's documents

Medical fitness

Tenancy contract

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Fast 48-hour processing once complete documents are submitted to GDRFA
No visa sponsorship fees—costs limited to medical tests and Emirates ID
Family reunification enabled with just AED 4,000/month sponsor income (or AED 3,000 + accommodation)
Clear GDRFA process with straightforward attested-document requirements
Renewable indefinitely while sponsor maintains UAE residence and salary
Dependents 18+ can work with separate employer work permit
Spouses and children easily sponsored via attested certificates
Parents may be sponsored if sponsor meets higher income threshold

Worth Knowing

Residency validity is entirely dependent on sponsor's UAE status and income
Medical examination mandatory for all dependents
Separate work permit required—employment is not automatic with residence visa
Sponsor must hold a valid UAE residence visa with active resident status
Sponsor minimum income: AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 plus employer accommodation)
Failed medical or security checks result in visa denial or cancellation

Application Process

Sponsor establishes qualification: UAE resident sponsor ensures minimum salary of AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation) and valid UAE residence visa

Obtain entry permit for dependent: Sponsor applies for entry permit for family member through ICP Smart Services, GDRFA, or Amer Service Centre

Dependent enters UAE: Family member arrives on the entry permit

Medical fitness test: Dependent aged 18+ undergoes medical examination at approved UAE health centre

Submit residence permit application: Apply through UAE Pass portal or Customer Happiness/Amer Service Centre with all required documents

Pay fees: AED 200 residence permit fee plus applicable service charges

Receive approval: Notified by email; residence permit stamped in passport within 48 hours if documents are complete

Application Forms

GDRFA application

—

Verified Claims (7)

Last verified Jun 20, 2026

Application Steps

Sponsor establishes eligibility: UAE resident sponsor ensures minimum salary of AED 4,000/month (or …

gdrfad.gov.ae

Fee Breakdown

Residence permit: 200 AED; Knowledge Dirham: 10 AED; Innovation Dirham: 10 AED; Fee inside country: …

gdrfad.gov.ae

Fees

AED 200 (residence permit) + AED 10 (Knowledge Dirham) + AED 10 (Innovation Dirham) + AED 500 (insid…

gdrfad.gov.ae

Official Info

https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/residence-visa-for-fam…

u.ae

Petitioner

family

u.ae

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":2,"maxDays":2}

gdrfad.gov.ae

Processing Time

48 hours

gdrfad.gov.ae

Official Information

Living in United Arab Emirates

Cost of Living

20% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryAED 140,400

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Residence permit for family members sponsored by a UAE resident with AED 4,000+ monthly income.

This visa is ideal for expatriate workers bringing family members to the UAE for extended residence.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Arab Emirates

Employment Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 days

View Visa Details

United Arab Emirates

Golden Visa (5/10 Year)

Validity10 years

Processing2–5 days

View Visa Details

United Arab Emirates

Green Visa

Validity5 years

Processing2 days

View Visa Details

United Arab Emirates

Investor Visa

Validity3 years

Processing1–3 weeks

View Visa Details

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Fast 48-hour processing once complete documents are submitted to GDRFA
No visa sponsorship fees—costs limited to medical tests and Emirates ID
Family reunification enabled with just AED 4,000/month sponsor income (or AED 3,000 + accommodation)
Clear GDRFA process with straightforward attested-document requirements
Renewable indefinitely while sponsor maintains UAE residence and salary
Dependents 18+ can work with separate employer work permit
Spouses and children easily sponsored via attested certificates
Parents may be sponsored if sponsor meets higher income threshold

Worth Knowing

Residency validity is entirely dependent on sponsor's UAE status and income
Medical examination mandatory for all dependents
Separate work permit required—employment is not automatic with residence visa
Sponsor must hold a valid UAE residence visa with active resident status
Sponsor minimum income: AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 plus employer accommodation)
Failed medical or security checks result in visa denial or cancellation

Application Process

Sponsor establishes qualification: UAE resident sponsor ensures minimum salary of AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation) and valid UAE residence visa