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United Arab Emirates flagUAE Family Sponsorship Residence Visa

Category: Family · Processing time: 2–6 weeks

Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-05-17Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial visa portal

Recently verified

3 min readCommunity feedback: open

Apply through official authority

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)

Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-05-07.

Apply on official site →

Visa type

Family

Processing time

2–6 weeks

Fees

EmiratesId: AED 100/year

Validity

Confirm on official source

Stay duration

Confirm on official source

Entry type

Confirm single/multiple entry rules

Insurance

Confirm if required

Bookmark

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Overview

Long-stay residence for the spouse, children, and parents of a UAE resident, subject to minimum salary thresholds and accommodation requirements.

  • Leads to permanent residency: No
  • Requires job offer: No
  • Language required: No
  • Minimum education: Not specified

Estimated Costs

  • - EmiratesId: AED 100/year
  • - ResidenceVisa: AED 250–500
  • - SponsorshipFee: AED 100

Required Documents

  • - Sponsor's salary certificate (AED 4,000+ or AED 3,000+ with accommodation)
  • - Marriage / birth certificate (attested)
  • - Tenancy contract
  • - Sponsor's residence visa copy
  • - Medical fitness certificate for adults

Application Steps

  1. Sponsor applies for entry permit on family's behalf
  2. Family enters UAE on permit
  3. Adults complete medical fitness test
  4. Apply for residence visa stamping and Emirates ID
  5. Receive Emirates ID

Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)

Travel Insurance Requirement

  • Mandatory: Confirm with official source
  • Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
  • Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
  • Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority

Embassy, Consulate & Appointments

Embassy, consulate, jurisdiction, and appointment details vary by applicant location. Confirm the correct office before booking travel or paying fees.

Open appointment or official portal →

Browse foreign embassies in United Arab Emirates (MigrantIQ directory) →

Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal.

Application checklist

Track your Family Residence Visa preparation

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Benefits & What This Visa Allows

  • - Live with sponsoring resident
  • - Schooling for children
  • - Spouse may seek own work permit

Trust & safety

Before you pay or submit documents

Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.

Official portal →

Relevant laws

  • Immigration Status and Overstay Rules

    Immigration · Severity: Critical

    Your right to stay in United Arab Emirates depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school

  • Tax Residency and Income Reporting

    Tax · Severity: High

    Living in United Arab Emirates for long enough, working locally, or registering as a resident may trigger tax-residency or income-reporting duties even if your income is paid from abroad.

  • Housing Contract and Deposit Rules

    Housing · Severity: Medium

    Rental contracts in United Arab Emirates may require written terms, legal deposit handling, inventory records, notice periods, and landlord registration. Never rely only on informal chat mess

Active scam alerts

  • Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for United Arab Emirates, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorit

  • Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter United Arab Emirates, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-tr

  • Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for United Arab Emirates through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification durin

  • Scammers advertise fake apartments in United Arab Emirates, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.

Quick Eligibility Check

Use this self-check for Family Residence Visa. It does not replace official legal assessment.

Result: Likely eligible baseline

Helpful partner links

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Sponsored or partner placement when a matching partner is active.

Common Rejection Reasons

  • - Incomplete or inconsistent documents
  • - Insufficient financial evidence
  • - Unclear purpose of visit or weak ties to home country
  • - Missing translations, signatures, appointment confirmations, or required forms

Application Tips

  • - Start with the official checklist before paying any third party.
  • - Keep bank statements, employment letters, travel plans, and accommodation details consistent.
  • - Book appointments early and keep copies of every submitted form, receipt, and confirmation.
  • - Do not use agents who guarantee approval or request payment to personal accounts.

Sources & References

Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To move to the UAE as a Nigerian family, apply for a Family Residence Visa. Requirements include a sponsor (UAE resident), proof of relationship, and financial stability. Rules can change, so

Pakistani citizens applying for a Family Residence Visa to the UAE typically need a valid passport, passport-sized photos, an attested marriage certificate, proof of income or employment, a t

You will usually need: Valid passport, Residence visa of the sponsor, Marriage certificate (attested), Birth certificates of children (if applicable), Emirates ID of the sponsor, Proof of inc

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