UAE: How to Apply for a Family Visa Through ICA

Millions of expats make their way to the UAE in search of greener pastures. Almost all succeed, as the UAE has maintained an unemployment rate of just over 2% over the years, making Dubai business setup a reality for many. Many also come here to carry out a new business setup in Dubai and take the assistance of business setup services to establish their company in the UAE.

Most of these people setup business in UAE and eventually settle in the Emirates. Hence, it is essential for one to know how to apply for a family visa in the UAE. If you’re an expat with a valid residence visa working in the UAE, you will be able to bring your dependents to the UAE with an approval from ICA. However, not everyone enjoys these benefits, because there are certain criteria that one must meet in order to be eligible for a family visa.

Requirements to apply for Family Visa through ICA

To sponsor your family or qualify your family members as dependents, you’d have to fulfill the following criteria:

• Male expats will need to have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 and reimbursement for accommodation.
• Female expats must have a minimum salary of AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation.
• If you’re in a same-sex relationship, you won’t be able to sponsor your spouse.
• All your family members older than 18 must take a medical fitness test at any of the many govt-approved health centres in the UAE. This medical examination usually tests for HIV and Tuberculosis.

Family Members eligible for Family Visa in UAE

If you’re a male with a residency visa in the UAE, then you can bring the following family members:

• Your wife: A Muslim UAE male resident may sponsor two wives, provided that the resident complies with certain rules set by the GDRFA.
• Your son: You may only sponsor your male children if they’re older than 18 years. If they’re students, you will be able to sponsor them for up to 21 years of age. But the criterion for them is that they must enter the UAE at least once every six months if they’re studying abroad, or else their visa will be rendered void.
• Your daughters: You will be able to sponsor your daughters only if they’re unmarried.
• Your parents: You will be able to sponsor both of your parents (unless one of them has passed away) provided you (a) Have a deposit allocated to each parent, (b) have medical insurance for your parent(s), and (c) You have a monthly salary of AED 20,000 or 19,000 with a 2-bedroom accommodation.
• Your stepchildren: In order to sponsor your stepchildren, you’d have to obtain an NOC from the biological parent of the stepchildren. The visa for this category stands valid for one year and is renewable.

How Women can Obtain a Family Visa through ICA

The Criteria for a woman to get a family residence visa is different than that of men.

• A married woman will be able to sponsor her husband and children.
• In order to sponsor, women will have to earn a minimum stipulated monthly salary of AED 10,000 or AED 9,000 with basic accommodation.
• The women sponsoring for their family members are required to work in professions like teaching, engineering, medicine, and the like. If they’re not employed in the aforementioned sectors, then they will need to have the sufficient salary.
• If the husband of the woman is financially capable of sponsoring the children, then the responsibility of sponsoring them shifts from the wife to the husband.

Documents required

The documents required to apply for a family visa include:

• Latest utility bill
• A proof of monthly salary of the sponsor
• Passport size picture of family members
• UAE visa application form that must be completed either online or through one of the typing centres.
• Registered tenancy contract or proof of accommodation
• Company contract or copy of sponsor’s employment contract
• Copy of passport of family members
• A Medical clearance certificate for family members if they are 18 years or older
• Legalized marriage certificate

Steps to Apply for a UAE Family Visa Through ICA

Typically, family visas in the UAE are sponsored by either the expat or their employer. As a resident, you must submit your visa application within 60 days of receiving your own UAE residence visa.

1. Apply for UAE Entry Permit through ICA

One must initially apply for the entry permit before proceeding to apply for their residence. You can apply for the entry permit at GDRFA, either online or in person. GDRFA mobile application is available for both Android and iOS.

2. Apply for Family Visa

One will have to visit the offices of GDRFA to apply for a family visa. The family visa is usually valid for a period of 1 to 3 years, and is renewed at least 30 days prior to its expiry.

Note that if the sponsor’s visa expires, then the family visa also will be automatically nullified. However, the dependents have a grace period of 30 days in which they can get their own residence visa renewed.

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