Living In UAE

How to apply for family residence visa in the UAE

Process for applying for spouse and children’s visa, Emirates ID

Published: December 14, 2023 18:07 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor

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If you have just moved to the UAE on a new job or to start your own business, here’s how you can apply for your family’s residence visa. — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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An expatriate resident can sponsor his or her family’s visa only if the resident has a valid residence permit or visa. So, once your residence visa is in place – whether it was sponsored by your company or if you applied for a self-sponsored visa – you can start the application process for your family’s visa. — Self-sponsored visas include investor visa, Green Visa or the 10-year Golden Visa. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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It is important to remember that the cost of a residence visa is borne by the sponsor of the visa. A resident sponsor has 60 days to apply for his or her dependents’ residence visa after they enter the UAE under an entry permit. — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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Eligibility criteria To sponsor your spouse and children, you must have a minimum salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 plus accommodation. — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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When it comes to sponsoring your parents, siblings or step-children, the salary and document requirements are different, and you would need to reach out to your emirate’s immigration department to ensure you fulfil all the eligibility criteria to apply for these family members’ visas. — For all the criteria related to family residence visas, read our guide here: gulfnews.com/1.1702302168738 Image Credit: Supplied

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Step 1: Get your documents in order The documents required to sponsor your spouse and children include: • Application form - either online or through a registered typing office. • Passport copies of the spouse and children. • Photos of the spouse and children. — Image Credit: Supplied

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• Copy of the sponsor’s employment contract or company contract. • Salary certificate from the employer stating the sponsor’s monthly salary. • Attested marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator. • Registered tenancy contract. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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Step 2: Visit an Amer or typing centre Amer centres in Dubai and typing centres located across the UAE take visa application requests. When you visit the centre, make sure you have all the required documents with you, so that you can submit the visa application. — Amer centres accept applications on behalf of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-D) and typing centres have to be registered with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Image Credit: Supplied

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Alternatively, you can also apply for your family’s visa online, through the following online channels: - ICP website – icp.gov.ae - GDRFA-D website – gdrfad.gov.ae - ‘DubaiNow’ app, for Apple and Android devices - ‘ICP UAE’ app, available for Apple and Android devices — To know more about how you can start the application process online, read our guide here: gulfnews.com/1.1659450544415 Image Credit: Supplied

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Step 3: Apply for their medical fitness test All family members who are above the age of 18 need to undergo and pass medical fitness tests at approved health centres. — For details on how to get a medical fitness test in the UAE, read our guide here: gulfnews.com/1.1656428456951 Image Credit: Shutterstock

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At the time of applying for your family’s visa, you will be asked for the location you prefer of the medical fitness test centre. Make sure you select a centre that is convenient for you to visit. At the medical fitness centre, you will need to submit the application form given to you at the centre. — In case you applied online, take a print out of your application. The test results take 24 to 48 hours to be sent to you. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Step 4: Receive the Emirates ID Finally, you will need to either collect your Emirates ID from an Emirates Post office near you, or request for it to be delivered to you, through a courier service. You can choose the option at the time of applying for the visa, at the centre or online. — The Emirates ID is the primary identification document for all residents in the UAE and must be carried with you at all times. Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News

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Visa cost The cost may vary slightly depending on the service charges levied by the service centre that you apply through. However, this is an estimated cost breakdown for the residence visa: — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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Entry permit – Dh550 ‘File opening’ charges - Dh300 Emirates ID cost (for two years) - Dh385 Medical Fitness test - Dh320 Visa stamping - Dh580 If your family is currently inside the UAE, you would need to pay an additional Dh750 for visa status change. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan / Gulf News

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