Introduction
Doing business in Dubai is an exciting prospect that presents numerous lucrative opportunities for professional growth. Now, the willingness to work in Dubai also raises a question in the minds of business owners and entrepreneurs. The query is –Can I bring along my family to stay with me? Well, the answer is Yes. However, there are certain conditions that need to be fulfilled.
Rules for sponsoring your family in Dubai are quite precise. Currently, Dubai has established a clear set of guidelines for the sponsor’s visa and family visa.
A Brief Scenario of Family Sponsorship in Dubai
Relocating to Dubai, which is one of the prime business destinations in the world, requires you to understand the governing rules out there. The UAE has achieved a distinct milestone as a business hub. And so far, with its flourishing business opportunities, the UAE has done great to attract professionals and business experts from around the world.
With the rise in expatriate population and their eagerness to settle with their families in recent decades, the Emirates have come up with their family sponsorship regulation. The government has made it possible for resident expatriates to sponsor their “immediate family members” to live with them.
What is a family visa all about?
With the right visa, your family can live securely and rightfully within the Emirates.
- UAE provides a precise family visa that allows its residents to sponsor their dependents, such as their children, spouse, and, in specific cases, parents, to live in the UAE.
- The family visa is basically a residence permit.
- It facilitates the expatriates to live with their family members.
- This facility provides access to several essential services like accommodation or housing, education, and healthcare.
- A family visa for 2 years.
- The tenure depends on the visa status of the sponsor.
Now that you know the basics of family sponsorship, you must also know that the procedures, rules, and thresholds can be different or vary from one emirate to another. Hence, timing is considered to be an essential factor.
The government of the United Arab Emirates allows business owners and entrepreneurs to bring their dependents legally. However, they need to meet certain criteria to sponsor a family in Dubai, like a valid trade license, residency visa, housing, health insurance, and income requirements.
The key eligibility criteria to sponsor your family in the UAE are as follows:
Employment
- Sponsoring your family in Dubai requires you to be employed.
- Short-term or tourist visas cannot sponsor family members.
Minimum Salary
- AED 4000 every month or AED 3000 including accommodation is needed to sponsor the family. The salary needs vary. It depends on the visa type and the relationship they share with the family member.
Valid Residency Visa
- To sponsor a family in Dubai, it is important to hold a valid residency visa in Dubai.
- Business owners and entrepreneurs can sponsor immediate family members, that includes children, spouse, parents, and even siblings.
- While a wife can sponsor her husband, the husband can sponsor his wife. Here, specific conditions are applied and followed.
- Children (both daughters and sons) can be sponsored.
- You need to provide proof to be the sole supporter of your parents for sponsoring parents. This requires you to meet the stricter requirement of having a greater income threshold (between AED 19000 and 20000). You must have a company-provided housing accommodation. Both parents must have comprehensive health insurance.
- To sponsor stepchildren, it requires a custodial proof and a NOC or no objection certificate from either biological parent.
The documents to be provided need to be duly attested by the MOFA or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant foreign consulates. The documents to be furnished need to be Arabic translated too. Hence, the process is time-consuming and can be costly. It is highly advisable to seek advice from a professional, such as a business setup consultant.
Visa services are one of the essential business setup services in Dubai offered by company formation experts in Dubai. A business setup consultant can provide the necessary guidance regarding the process, as it varies from one jurisdiction to another. Moreover, it helps to save time and costs.
The Application Process for Family Visa
The process of applying for a family visa typically includes the following
The List of Documentation
- Birth (for children) and marriage (for spouse) certificates duly attested
- Copy of the sponsor’s visa and Emirates ID
- Tenancy contract
- Labour contract
- Salary certificate
- Photos of family members (Passport size)
- Copies of passports of family members
- Medical fitness certificate
- Medical insurance
- Employment contract
- Bank Statements
- Health insurance for every family member
Application for Entry Permit
The application for visa entry should be made through GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs). It can be submitted through the ICP online portal or any authorized typing centre.
Medical Fitness Test
All family members should be 18 years of age. They must undergo a health checkup. They must provide chest X-rays and blood tests to screen for tuberculosis and HIV.
Registration for Emirates ID
Emirates ID is the national identity card. It is an essential requirement and needs to be applied for to access all types of UAE services. On clearing your medical tests, you need to apply for the ID.
Step-by-Step Process to Sponsor a Family in Dubai
Step 1- Submitting Residency Visa Application
The process starts with submitting the residency visa application. You must provide all documents as mentioned earlier, along with the application. The application must be submitted through an authorized typing center or GDRFA.
Step 2- Paying the Processing Fees
On submission of the application, you will also need to pay the fees required for processing the application. This cost tends to vary. It depends on the duration and the visa type. It typically ranges from AED 1000 to AED 2000. For faster processing, additional charges will apply.
Step 3-Medical Fitness Test
On approval of the application, the family members need to undergo medical tests. All family members over 18 years of age need to undergo this fitness test. The test results will be needed to proceed further with the visa procedure.
Step 4-Applying for the Emirates ID
Once the required medical tests are over, you can proceed with the application for the Emirates ID. Depending on the number of family members, you can apply for an Emirates ID for each. It is the national identification document that applies all over the UAE.
Step 5: Stamping Residency Visa
The concluding step in the whole process is the stamping of the residency visa. It is required to grant official residency in the UAE. The stamping is needed for every family member’s passport. To complete the procedure, you need to visit the office of the GDRFA.
Costs Involved in Sponsoring Family in Dubai
The costs depend on the number of dependents you wish to sponsor.
On an average, the costs range are as follows
- Health Insurance- AED 1000-AED 2500 (this is an annual charge and varies by age and coverage)
- Medical test- The rate of the medical fitness test can range from AED 350 to AED 500 per person
- Entry Permit- The cost of the residential permit can be AED 500 to AED 1000 per person
- Visa stamping -AED500 to 1000.
How RichMan Associate Helps Business Owners to Sponsor Their Families?
At RichMan Associate, we understand that establishing a business in Dubai encompasses more than just business-related requirements. It is also about family. Our business consultant in Dubai helps you with the following:
- Document translation support
- Document attestation
- Visa assistance
- Emirates ID assistance
- Accurate documentation for family sponsorship applications
- Coordinating health insurance.
- Provide end to end support
- Handling communication with administration like typing centres, respective embassies and ministries
Conclusion
The process of sponsoring your family in Dubai can take two to four weeks to complete. This includes all essential proceedings like visa stamping, entry permits, processing Emirates ID and undergoing medical fitness tests. Bringing your family and loved ones to Dubai requires you to be careful in planning everything starting from document preparation to visa stamping and so on. With the proper knowledge of the process and right professional assistance you and ensure a smooth and hassle-free relocation of your family.
FAQs
Are unmarried daughters eligible to be sponsored in Dubai?
There is no age limit. Unmarried daughters can be sponsored as long as they choose to stay single.
What is the validity of family visas in Dubai?
The validity depends on the visa validity of the sponsor. It is usually valid for 2 to 3 years.
Are the sponsorship rights same for mainland and free zone business owners?
The answer is yes. When you have a legitimate trade license and also an investor visa, you can well sponsor your family from any of these two jurisdictions.
