How to Apply for UAE Family Visa: A Guide for New Business Owners

The UAE Family Visa

The UAE has long been known as a bastion for business and one of the world’s largest, most productive business hubs. Each day, thousands of investors and entrepreneurs travel to the region to make investments, find companies, and conduct business. This business hub is home to many advantages and incentives that allow businesses to make the most of their investments. From zero tax responsibilities to 100% ownership, these incentives make operating a business simple, streamlined, and profitable. However, to own and operate an establishment in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, you’ll need to secure the proper visa.

Obtaining a UAE Family Visa is designed to be an easy, straightforward process. However, it can be challenging for those not accustomed to conducting business in the UAE. After all, the UAE has provided foreign investors and ex-pats with a wide array of visa options. From freelancers to business owners, there’s a visa for everyone.

However, each of these visas has different requirements. Below, we’ll dive deeper into these requirements and cover all the information you’ll need to secure your own Family Visa in the UAE.

Family Sponsorship in the UAE

In addition to ex-pats, business owners, and professionals being able to enter the country under a Residency Visa, under Family Visa, they are given the ability to sponsor immediate family members. This includes wives, sons and daughters, and parents, among others.

Once you’ve applied for a Family Visa, you’ll also be able to sponsor your other family members. For family members over the age of 18, you’ll be required to pass a medical fitness test that can be taken at any government-approved health center.

UAE Family Visa Requirements

To obtain a UAE Family Visa, you’ll be required to:

• Possess either an Investor Visa or Employment Visa. Applicants will be required to possess one of these visas before being allowed to sponsor family.
• For Mainland setup, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will need to approve the required documents before submitting a visa request. Employees of Free Zone companies are permitted to sponsor family members without the need to obtain a MOL permit.
• Typically, entrepreneurs are issued investor visas that are good for three years. For this visa, investors must remain in the UAE or return within six months. Failure to abide by these rules will result in submitting a renewal application to re-enter the UAE.
• Family Visas will require dependents to submit an entry permit, or “pink visa.” This allows them to enter the UAE and apply for a citizenship visa.

Professions Eligible for Family Visa in the UAE: Who Can You Sponsor?

Males that possess a Residence Visa are permitted to bring along the following family members:

1. Wives

Your wife is allowed to receive a Family Visa.

2. Sons

You are permitted to provide sponsorship for sons if they are under the age of 18. If older, sponsorship is still possible, but only if the individuals are students.

3. Daughters

Daughters are permitted to receive a Family Visa, provided they are not married.

4. Parents

Parents are allowed to receive Family Visa sponsorship under the following conditions:

• You must sponsor both parents unless one is deceased.
• You must provide officials with a copy of your parent’s medical insurance policy.
• You must have a monthly salary of AED 20,000 or higher.
• You must pay a deposit of AED 2,500 for each parent.

5. Stepchildren

You are also allowed to sponsor stepchildren, as long as you are able to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a biological parent. This visa is valid for a period of one year and is renewable.

For female residents seeking sponsorship, the conditions are slightly different.

• Earn a monthly salary of no lower than AED 10,000.
• Work as a doctor, nurse, engineer, teacher, or another skilled profession
• Must hold a residence permit

The Documents Required for a UAE Family Visa

When applying for your UAE Family Visa or sponsoring members of your family, you’ll be required to submit certain documents. These include:

• Copies of passports for all family members being sponsored
• Passport-sized pictures of family members being sponsored
• Medical clearance certificate for any family over the age of 18
• Proof of monthly salary
• Legalized marriage certificate
• Recent Utility Bill
• UAE Visa Application Form (Online or in person)
• Copy of sponsor’s employment contract

A Step-By-Step Guide to Applying for the Family Visa in Dubai

To secure a Family Visa as a foreign resident, you must submit an application form within 60 days of receiving a UAE Residence Visa. Here’s how to apply:

1. Residency Visas

Before you or your family members can apply for a Family Visa, they will need to have already secured a Residency Visa.

2. Gather Documents

As mentioned previously, there are several documents you’ll need to have handy when submitting your Family Visa application.

3. Complete and Submit the Application

You’ll need to submit your application through an online platform such as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs or in person at an authorized authority.

4. Receive Visa

Family Visas can be issued for one, two, and three years and will need to be renewed within that timeframe. They are also dependent on the sponsor. Therefore, if a sponsor’s visa expires or is canceled for any reason, the Family Visas under it are also null and void.

MSZ Consultancy is Here to Help You Secure Your Family Visa

With years of experience handling the intricacies of visa registration, MSZ Consultancy can help you! Our expert consultants are highly skilled in handling the application processes for Residency Visas, Family Visas, and more.

MSZ Consultancy is also a terrific resource for investors and business owners that are new to the region or unfamiliar with Dubai business law. Our team of experts can help you secure a professional license in Dubai, a business work permit, or provide quotes for all business visa costs in Dubai.

So, if you want to maximize your business potential, give us a call at +971 52 544 1248 for a free quote, and let us show you how we can save you time, money, and resources while letting you get back to what matters most.