Everything you need—from eligibility rules to entry‑permit timing—plus real‑world tips for a smooth process
1. Who Can Sponsor Whom in Dubai?
| Sponsor | Eligible Dependants | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Male resident (employee or investor) | Spouse, sons ≤ 25 yrs, unmarried daughters (no age cap), parents (renewable 1‑yr visas) | Salary ≥ AED 4,000 or **AED 3,000 + accommodation_; suitable housing (Ejari) |
| Female resident | Husband & children | Must work in one of the approved professions (e.g., doctor, engineer, teacher) and salary ≥ AED 10,000 |
| Golden‑Visa holder | Same set as above | No minimum salary; visas align with 10‑yr validity |
Quick check: If you’re a Mainland employee earning AED 12 k, you can readily sponsor spouse & two kids provided you hold a 2‑bedroom Ejari.
2. Documents to Prepare Before You Apply
| Document | Issued By | Attestation? | Notes |
| Passport copies (colour) of all dependants | – | No | ≥ 6 months validity |
| Passport‑size photos (white background) | – | No | Soft + 6 printed copies |
| Attested marriage certificate | Home‑country registrar | Yes—Notary → UAE Embassy → MoFAIC | Arabic translation after attestation |
| Attested birth certificates (each child) | Home‑country registrar | Yes | Same chain as above |
| Emirates ID & passport copy of sponsor | – | No | Include visa page |
| Salary certificate / labour contract | Employer or Free‑Zone | No | Issued ≤ 30 days ago |
| Ejari tenancy contract (Dubai) | RERA | No | 1 or 2‑bedroom as required |
| Latest DEWA bill | DEWA | No | Confirms active tenancy |
| Bank statement (3 months) | Sponsor’s bank | No | Supports financial capacity |
| Medical insurance policy (dependants) | DHA‑approved insurer | No | Must cover visa period |
Tip: Collate scans into a single PDF per applicant to speed uploads on the Amer portal.
3. Step‑by‑Step Timeline
Entry permit validity reality check: You must enter the UAE within 60 days of the permit’s issue date (not after the 60th day). Once inside, complete visa formalities within that same 60‑day window (extendable 30 days once).
| Step | Where / How | Deliverable | Typical Duration* |
| 1. Entry Permit Application | Amer Centre (Dubai) or GDRFA Smart App | e‑Entry Permit | 1–3 working days |
| 2. Arrival / Status Change | Airport immigration or in‑country status change via Amer | Entry stamp or Status‑Change approval | Instant / 1 day |
| 3. Medical Fitness Test (age ≥ 18) | DHA Medical Centre | Blood test & chest X‑ray results | 1 working day (Fast Track: 4 h) |
| 4. Biometrics for Emirates ID | ICP Service Centre | Biometric capture receipt | Same day |
| 5. Health‑Insurance Activation | Insurer portal | e‑Card / Policy PDF | Same day |
| 6. Residence‑Visa Stamping | GDRFA online; passport upload | e‑Visa & passport e‑stamp | 2–3 working days |
| 7. Emirates ID Production | ICP | Digital ID in UAE Pass + Physical card | 5–7 working days |
*Assumes documents are complete and no additional security screening.
4. Cost Snapshot (Indicative)
| Item | Adult (AED) | Child (AED) |
| Entry permit | 500 | 500 |
| Medical test (standard) | 320 | N/A (<18 yrs) |
| Emirates‑ID (2 yrs) | 370 | 370 |
| Visa stamping (2 yrs) | 510 | 510 |
| Insurance (basic) | 1,300 | 650 |
| Approx. Total | 3,000 | 2,030 |
Golden‑Visa dependants incur higher UAE‑Pass fees but no insurance mandate until stamping stage.
5. Do’s & Don’ts
Do’s
- Time travel wisely: book flights early enough to land within the 60‑day permit validity—avoid last‑week rush.
- Carry physical attested originals—they may be requested at medical centres or school admissions.
- Link dependants to your DubaiNow/UAE Pass to monitor ID printing status in real time.
- Book medical & biometrics back‑to‑back on the same day—Amer lets you choose adjacent slots.
- Set calendar alerts for 30 days before visa & Emirates ID expiry.
Don’ts
- Don’t overstay the entry permit—fines accrue at AED 50/day after day 60.
- Don’t laminate attested certificates—MoFAIC stamps must remain visible for verification.
- Don’t submit low‑resolution scans—GDRFA rejects JPEGs under 100 KB or with shadows.
- Don’t forget school transfer certificates if enrolling kids mid‑year—must be attested too.
- Don’t rely on tourism insurance—DHA rejects non‑compliant policies at visa stamping.
6. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Outcome | Avoidance Tactic |
| Entry‑permit expiry before arrival | Need to re‑apply and pay fees again | Fly in by day 45 or apply for 30‑day extension (AED 250) |
| Incomplete medical (e.g., missed X‑ray) | Visa put on hold | Request fast‑track retest same day |
| Ejari under friend’s name | Visa stamping denied | Add your name via Ejari amendment or secure new tenancy |
| Salary drop below threshold after permit | Renewal rejected | Maintain bank salary transfer ≥ threshold or switch to Golden Visa |
| Passport < 6 months at renewal | System block | Renew passport 8–9 months before expiry |
7. Renewal & Upkeep
- Visa & Emirates ID renewal: 2‑year cycle; begin 90 days before expiry.
- Medical test: repeat for adults at each renewal.
- Insurance: annual; proof required prior to renewal.
- School reports: keep attested if children progress to new schools.
Conclusion
Sponsoring your spouse and children in Dubai is a predictable, checklist‑driven process once you understand the timing on the 60‑day entry permit and assemble attested paperwork in advance. Use this A‑to‑Z roadmap to avoid cost‑adding mistakes, keep your family’s status legal, and focus on settling into Dubai life.
Have a unique situation—like split custody or adult dependants? Drop us a message; we track edge‑case rulings and can point you to the right authority contact.
