If you’re living and working in the UAE, sponsoring your family is one of the most important steps to make your stay comfortable and complete. Wives can also sponsor their husbands and children as long as they meet the required criteria.
Below is a simple guide to help you understand how family sponsorship works, especially when the wife is the sponsor.
Who Can Sponsor Their Family?
In the UAE, both men and women holding valid residence visas can sponsor their family members.
A wife can sponsor her husband and children if she meets the government’s requirements for income and profession.
Basic Requirements for a Wife to Sponsor Her Family
To sponsor your husband and children, you must meet the following conditions:
- Valid UAE Residence Visa
You must hold a valid residence visa issued under your name.
- Minimum Salary Requirement
You should earn at least AED 4,000 per month (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, depending on the emirate and relevant authority).
- Approved Profession
You must work in a skilled or professional occupation approved by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
- Valid Tenancy Contract (Ejari)
Proof of accommodation is required either a tenancy contract (Ejari) or a company-provided housing agreement, depending on the emirate.
- Medical Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for each dependent (husband and children).
- Legalized Marriage and Birth Certificate
Your marriage and Birth certificate must be:
- Attested by your Embassyand the UAE Embassy in your home country
- Attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
- Translated into Arabicand legalized
- Salary Certificate and Employment Contract
You must provide an official salary certificate and employment contract:
- For private-sector employees: a MOHRE labor contract
- For free zone employees: a salary certificate attested by the free zone authority
- Emirates ID and Passport Copies
Provide copies of your Emirates ID and passport, photo, as well as those of your dependents.
- Medical Fitness Test
All adult dependents aged 15 years and above must pass a medical fitness test at an authorized UAE health center.
- No Objection or Legal Documents
If the wife is sponsoring the children, the following may be required:
- Attested or notarized No Objection Certificate (NOC)from the father
- Or an attested death certificateor divorce document, if applicable
- Validity of the Family Visa
Family residence visas are generally valid for 2 years (for mainland or free zone employment).
Golden Visa Holders
If the sponsor holds a Golden Visa, family visa validity may be up to 10 years, depending on the sponsor’s visa duration.
- UAE Pass Access
The sponsor must have access to a UAE Pass account to process applications online.
Note: Requirements may vary slightly between emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.).
Before starting your application, ensure all documents are complete, attested, and accurate to avoid delays.
If you’re unsure where to begin, FutureZone.ae can help you through the entire sponsorship process from document preparation to residence visa issuance making your family’s stay in the UAE smooth and stress-free.