Everything You Need To Know About Family Visa in UAE

The United Arab Emirates is a popular destination for expatriates worldwide who come to work, live and enjoy the benefits of this dynamic and diverse country. However, many ex-pats also want to share their experiences with their families and bring them to the UAE. Fortunately, the UAE government offers a family visa option for eligible residents who wish to sponsor their spouses, children or parents to join them in the country. A family visa is a residence visa that allows the holder to stay in the UAE for up to three years, renewable upon expiry. Obtaining a family visa in UAE is vital for ex-pats who want to maintain their family ties, provide a better quality of life and education for their children, and access the various facilities and services available in the country. 

This blog will explain the requirements, process and benefits of obtaining a family visa in UAE.

UAE Family Visit Visa News 2023

There are several new amendments. The UAE government has introduced a new visa system that offers various types of visit visas for different purposes and durations, such as tourism, medical treatment, business, and education. The new visa system also aims to attract and retain global talents and skilled workers by expanding the categories of the Golden Visa and introducing the Green Visa. The new visa system also provides more benefits and flexibility for UAE residents and their families, such as allowing them to sponsor their friends and relatives, extending the validity of their visas, and exempting them from automatic cancellation of their residence visas if they stay outside the country for more than 180 days123456. In this article, we will explain the details and requirements of the new UAE Family Visit Visa News 2023 and how it can help you plan your trip to the UAE with your loved ones.

Requirements For a UAE Family Visit Visa

Some of the UAE Family Visit Visa Requirements per the UAE government are:

• • One must be a UAE citizen, a valid residence visa holder, or a right residence permit holder living in the country.
  • A minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 per month must be earned, plus accommodation if you are a male. Female sponsors must have a minimum wage of AED 10,000 or 8,000 plus accommodation.
  • Provide proof of family kinship, such as an attested marriage certificate or birth certificate in Arabic or one correctly  `translated into Arabic by a qualified translator for getting a family visa in UAE.
  • Submitting a copy of your family’s confirmed flight booking and travel insurance must be provided.
  • Passport-sized colour photographs and a visa application form duly filled out for each family member are mandatory.
  • The visa fee is paid, and a bank approval letter is required.
  • Family members of the individual older than 18 must also pass a medical fitness examination at a UAE health facility approved by the government.

What is the Validity of a UAE Family Visa?

The validity for a family visa in UAE is as follows:   

• • The validity of an entry permit for visiting relatives and friends in UAE is three months (90 days) from the date it was issued. 
  • The UAE family visa can be renewed with a simple procedure. 
  •  A family visa in UAE can be issued for 1,2, or 3 years with renewal 30 days before its expiry.
  • In visa expiry or cancellation cases, the family visa turns void. 

What are the Rules to Be Followed for a UAE Family Visa? 

There are specific rules and regulations regarding family visas in UAE. These new rules for family visas in UAE are as follows: 

• • A minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000, and accommodation for men is a must. The minimum wage for a female sponsor is AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation. 
  • Proof of family kinship is mandatory to provide, such as an attested copy of a marriage certificate or birth certificate in Arabic or translated by a certified translator. 
  • The sponsor can take care of their children, stepchildren, parents and spouse under specific terms and conditions. 
  • A child above 18 must undergo medical and fitness tests at approved health centres in the UAE. 
  • The residency visa must be applied for after 120 days of the birth of a child in such cases to avoid a fine.
  • Parents can sponsor their male child until age 25 and their female child until married.
  • The type of profession is no longer a condition. 
  • The dependent’s residence visa and Emirates ID are united. The sponsor simply applies for the residence visa and Emirates ID together. 

What are the Residency Visa Rules For Children Sponsored By Parents?

The residency visa rules for children sponsored by their parents for family visas in the UAE are as follows– 

• • The sponsor must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, a valid residence visa holder, or a residence permit holder residing in that country.
  • A minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 and accommodation for men is a must. The minimum wage for a female sponsor is AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation.
  • The guarantor must provide the child’s birth certificate certified in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a sworn translator.
  • The family’s father can only sponsor her daughter if she is unmarried, regardless of age. 
  • The parents can only sponsor their unmarried son till the age of 25. 
  • There are no restrictions in sponsoring children with special needs. 
  • The parent sponsoring a stepchild has to provide a deposit for each child and a 

non-objection certificate from the biological parent. The visa is only valid for one year and must be renewed yearly. 

• • A child above 18 must undergo medical and fitness tests at approved health centres in the UAE. 
  • The residency visa must be applied for after 120 days of the birth of a child in such cases to avoid fine. 
  • The expiry date of the child’s residency visa will not exceed that of the sponsor.  

How to Apply For The UAE Family Visit Visa?

The application to visit your family and friends in UAE is available offline and online to make the system more feasible and less complicated. 

Applying Online

A resident can easily apply for a family visa in UAE online by these easy steps: 

• • • Check if you are eligible for a visa or visa-free entry upon arrival in the United Arab Emirates. If you still need to, you must apply for a tourist visa. 
    • Choose a tourist visa according to your purpose and length of stay. 
    • There are five-year multiple-entry tourist visas, 90-day tourist visas, 30-day tourist visas, and transit visas.
    • Decide how to apply for a tourist visa. You can apply through airlines, hotels, travel agencies or online platforms. 
    • Prepare necessary documents such as a passport copy, photo, health insurance card, bank statement, ticket, and proof of residence. Apply and pay the fee. 
    • You can track your application status online. Receive your visa by email or courier and print it out before your trip.

What is the Online Application Process for the UAE Family Visit Visa? 

A resident can easily apply for a family visa in UAE online by these easy steps: 

• • • Check if you are eligible for a visa on arrival or visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates. If you still need to, you must apply for a tourist visa. 
    • Choose a tourist visa according to your purpose and length of stay. There are five-year multiple-entry tourist visas, 90-day visitor visas, and 30-day transit visas. Find a licensed writing centre where you can submit your visa application. 
    • Search for ICP-registered Writing Centers or DDRFA Writing Centers. 
    • Prepare the necessary documents, such as a passport copy, photo, health insurance, bank statement, ticket, and proof of residence.
    • Proof of relationship from the embassy is also required if this is not in your passport. 
    • Pay the fee and submit your application to the Writing Center.
    • Track your application status through the DDRFA website or App. 
    • Receive your visa by email or courier and print it out before your trip.

Applying Offline

A resident can easily apply for a family visa in UAE offline with these simple steps: 

• • Typing centres : Residents can apply for offline visa applications through licenced typing centres where the application is processed through the GDRFA of the emirate. The resident receives a message confirming the acceptance as soon as the application gets approved.
  • Amer Centers : The government of Dubai specifies that all entry permits and visa transactions must be carried out through the centres of Amer.

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