If you are a foreigner living in the UAE on a residence visa, then you are allowed to bring your dependents with you using a UAE family visa. However, not everyone can take their dependents with them, since certain requirements must be met.
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Requirements for an expatriate to obtain a family visa to the UAE
To be able to sponsor family members in the UAE, you must meet the following conditions:
- Male expatriates must have a minimum wage of 4,000 AED per month or 3,000 AED dirhams per month plus accommodation;
- Expatriate women must have a minimum monthly salary of 10,000 AED or 8,000 AED plus accommodation;
- In addition, all family members over the age of 18 must undergo a medical examination, which is carried out at a government-approved health center in the UAE.
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Who can you sponsor for a family visa in the UAE?
It is easier for an expat man to sponsor his family members in the UAE than it is for a woman. If you are a spouse who is in the UAE on a residence visa, you can bring the following family members on a family visa to the UAE:
- Wife. If you are a Muslim, you can also sponsor two wives, but you must comply with certain conditions set by the GDRFA.
- Sons. You can only sponsor your sons if they are 18 or under. If your sons are 18 years old, you can sponsor them, but only if they are students, and only until the age of 21. In addition, if sons are 18, they must enter the UAE at least once every six months, if they study abroad, otherwise, their visa to the UAE will be canceled.
- Daughters. You can only sponsor your daughters if they are unmarried.
- Parents. You can also sponsor your parents if you meet the following conditions:
- You sponsor both parents if one of them has not died;
- You make a deposit as a guarantee for each parent;
- You will issue your parents a health insurance policy;
- You have a monthly salary of 20,000 AED or 19,000 AED plus a two-bedroom accommodation.
- Stepchildren. You can also sponsor your stepsons if you receive a written certificate of lack of objections from biological parents. The visa for stepchildren is valid for one year with the possibility of extension.
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Can a woman sponsor her family members for a family visa in the UAE?
Yes, she can, but the criteria for a woman who will sponsor her family in the UAE are higher than for a man:
- The family members she can sponsor are her husband and her children.
- She must receive a monthly salary of at least 10,000 AED or 8,000 AED plus accommodation.
- She must work as an engineer, teacher, or profession related to the medical sector (doctor, nurse, etc.).
- In certain cases (and only with DRND permission), if a woman has a sufficient monthly salary, she can qualify for sponsorship even if she does not work in one of the above categories.
- If she has a husband who can sponsor children instead, she's not allowed to do it herself.
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What documents are required to obtain a family visa to the UAE?
- Application form for a visa in the UAE;
- Copies of the passport of the family member who is sponsored;
- Passport-sized photos of family members sponsored;
- Medical certificate for any family member aged 18 and over;
- A copy of the sponsor's employment contract or corporate agreement;
- Confirmation of the monthly salary received by the sponsor;
- Marriage certificate;
- Proof of housing, for example, a registered lease agreement;
- The last utility bill.
How to apply for a family visa to the UAE?
Family visas to the UAE can be sponsored by either the expatriate or their employer. As a foreign resident, you must apply for a family visa to the UAE within 60 days of obtaining your own UAE residency visa.
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Applying for an entry permit
Before your family members travel to the UAE to join you, you (or your employer) must apply for an entry permit to allow them to be in the country. You can apply for an entry permit for your family members in one of the following ways:
- The General Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – GDRFA, online or in person. If you apply in person, you must do so through one of the licensed GDRFA printing centers in each emirate or one of the Amer centers in Dubai;
- GDRFA Dubai mobile application;
- Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship;
- eChannel ICP portal.
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Registration of a family visa to the UAE
A UAE family visa is a type of residence visa, and as such, you must apply for it on behalf of your family members after they are already in the country on an entry permit. You can apply for a family visa at the offices of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the respective emirate.
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For how long is UAE family visa valid?
A family visa in the UAE can be issued for 1, 2, or 3 years and can be extended at least thirty days before the expiration date. Family visas depend on the sponsor, so if the sponsor's visa expires or is canceled, family visas will also become invalid.
However, dependent family members receive a 30-day grace period during which they can check if they can extend their own residence visa.
What is a UAE Green Visa?
A UAE Green Visa is a type of residence visa that allows its holder to sponsor themselves for 5 years, eliminating the need for a UAE citizen or employer to sponsor their visa.
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What are the benefits of a Green Visa?
A Green Visa provides more benefits for family members than a regular residence visa. Benefits include:
- Easy obtainment of a residence permit for family members, including spouses, children, and relatives;
- The ability to sponsor their male children up to 25 years, and without age restrictions for unmarried daughters;
- Children of determination (people with special needs) are granted a residence permit regardless of age;
- A longer flexible grace period of up to 6 months to stay in the UAE after the cancellation or expiration of the residence permit;
- The place of residence of family members will be the same as the place of residence of the holder of the residence visa.
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Who can apply for a Green Visa?
For a green visa can apply:
1. Freelancers/self-employed persons
Freelancers and/or self-employed persons wishing to apply for a Green Visa must provide:
- Free work/self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization;
- Confirmation of a bachelor's degree or a special diploma;
- Evidence of annual self-employment income for the previous two years of at least 360,000 AED or proof of financial solvency throughout your stay in the UAE.
2. Skilled workers
To apply for a Green Visa, skilled workers must:
- have a valid employment contract;
- be classified at the first, second, or third professional level in accordance with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization;
- have a bachelor's degree or equivalent;
- have a salary of at least 15,000 AED.
3. Investors or partners
A Green Visa is granted to investors who create or participate in commercial activities. It replaces the previous residence permit, which was valid for only 2 years. Requirements include:
- approval of the investment and confirmation of investment (If the investor/partner has more than one license, the total invested capital will be calculated);
- agreement with the competent local self-government authorities.
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Extension of visa
The visa can be extended for the same period after its expiration.
For more information on a Green Visa, please contact:
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
- The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai
What is the UAE Gold Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa that allows foreign nationals with a talent to live, work or study in the UAE, taking advantage of exclusive benefits that include:
- entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance;
- long-term residence visa with the possibility of extension for 10 years;
- self-funded visa, since there is no need for employment;
- the ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual six-month limit to keep your residence permit valid;
- sponsoring members of your family, including spouses and children, regardless of their age;
- sponsoring an unlimited number of home assistants;
- allows family members to remain in the UAE until the permit expires if the main Gold Visa holder dies.
Who is granted a Golden Visa?
The gold visa is for:
1. Investors
Property investors can obtain a Gold Visa to the UAE if they fulfill one of the following conditions:
- purchased real estate worth at least two million AED;
- purchased real estate with a loan from specific local banks;
- purchased one or more real estate objects worth at least two million AED in approved local real estate companies.
2. Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs can obtain a Golden Visa if they fulfill one of the following conditions:
- they or a partner have a start-up registered as a small and medium-sized business (SME) in the UAE, and the company receives an annual income of at least one million AED;
- they received a green light to launch an idea in an official business incubator or the Ministry of Economic Affairs or other competent local authorities;
- they had to establish an entrepreneurial project, which was sold for a total amount of at least seven million AED.
3. Exceptional talents
Inventors, innovators, and exceptional talents in vital fields such as culture, art, sports, and digital technologies can obtain a Golden Visa regardless of their educational qualifications, job status, monthly salary, or professional level. A visa requires a recommendation or approval from federal or local authority.
4. Scientists and professionals
Scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field can obtain a Golden Visa on the recommendation of the Council of Scientists of the Emirates. The Candidate must have a Ph.D. or Master's degree in one of the disciplines of engineering, technology, and natural sciences at the best universities in the world, as well as significant scientific achievements.
Professionals or highly qualified workers with high educational qualifications and professional experience in all disciplines, including medicine, science and technology, information technologies, business and management, education, law, culture, and social sciences, can obtain a Golden Visa if they:
- Have a valid employment contract in the UAE;
- They are classified at the first or second professional level in accordance with the classification of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization;
- Have a bachelor's degree or equivalent;
- Receive a monthly salary of at least 30,000 AED.
5. Successful students and graduates
The golden visa can be obtained by successful UAE high school students and outstanding graduates of UAE universities and the 100 best universities in the world. The criteria include academic performance, year of graduation, and classification of the university.
6. Humanitarian professionals
The following humanitarian aid professionals can obtain a golden visa:
- well-known members of international and regional organizations;
- prominent members of public associations;
- laureates of honors in humanitarian spheres;
- well-known volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian events.
7. Front-line heroes
A Gold Visa can also be obtained by frontline workers who have made extraordinary efforts in crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you decide that retirement in the UAE is the best option for you, there is a pension visa that meets your needs.
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What are the requirements for obtaining a pension visa?
To be eligible for a pension visa, you must be at least 55 years old and must meet one of the following conditions:
- You buy property in the UAE worth at least 2 million AED;
- You have financial savings in your account of at least 1 million AED;
- You have an active income of at least 20,000 AED per month from investments or pensions.
A pension visa is issued for five years and can be extended for another five if you still meet the criteria.
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How to apply for a pension visa?
Depending on where you live, there are several possible methods by which you can apply for a pension visa:
- If you currently reside in the UAE on a work visa, you should contact the Office of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
- If you are abroad, you may need an entry visa to enter the UAE when you can apply for a retirement residency visa.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) is responsible for issuing visas for the UAE.
Dubai Culture, in coordination with Dubai's General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), issues 10-year cultural visas for accomplished creative talents in literature, culture, fine arts, stage art, history, and intellectual field. Currently, the visa is available for UAE residents.
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Dubai Cultural Visa Requirements
A cultural visa may be issued if the applicant meets at least five of the mandatory conditions established by the authorities. The conditions are related to years of residence in the country, knowledge, and creative achievements.
Additional conditions include a commitment to contribute 36 hours of work in the creative or artistic fields in the UAE.
How to apply?
To be nominated by Dubai Culture for a long-term residency visa, you must first apply for the Creative and Talented Accreditation service using the [email protected] email address or Dubai Culture program.
Add the following documents to the application:
- a copy of the passport and residence visa;
- a copy of the Emirates ID;
- your resume with your contact phone numbers.
If your application is approved, you will receive an accreditation certificate for a long-term cultural visa to be issued by GDRFA in Dubai.
After obtaining a visa, you can automatically extend it without the need for a sponsor from the Emirates.
Read detailed information about the eligibility criteria for Dubai's cultural visa.
Abu Dhabi offers a creative visa to professionals who are approved by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism and specialize in one of the following areas: heritage, performing arts, visual arts, design and crafts, games and eSports, as well as media and publishing.
The creative visa aims to support people who contribute to Abu Dhabi's cultural and creative industries, as well as increase living and employment opportunities.
Sign up for more information about your creative visa and the steps to apply.
Learn more about Abu Dhabi's creative visa initiative on this website.
Naturalization is limited due to fears of losing the national identity of the Emirates and the conservative culture, which are considered under threat because the number of foreigners exceeds the number of indigenous inhabitants of the Emirates 11:1.
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Citizenship is granted to a foreigner if they meet the following conditions:
- They have legally resided in the UAE for 30 years, or 7 years, if they are an Arab citizen of Oman, Qatar, or Bahrain. These restrictions do not apply to persons providing honorary services to the country;
- have legal income;
- have a good reputation;
- speak Arabic on a decent level;
- have no criminal record;
- they are Muslim.
Residency requirements for Emirates citizenship may be waived:
- by decree of the President of the UAE;
- any person who performs an honorary service for the UAE.
A person convicted of misconduct or dishonesty may apply on condition of rehabilitation. The wife of an Emirati citizen does not have to have an academic qualification to be eligible for naturalization.
Citizenship is granted after:
- state security checks;
- ceremony in which a person pledges allegiance to the UAE.
A foreigner woman who married a man who is a UAE citizen can obtain citizenship provided that the marriage lasted 3 years. She loses her citizenship in case of divorce and remarriage with a foreigner. The wife of a man who has recently been granted citizenship can also become a UAE citizen. Their minor children also receive citizenship.
In January 2021, the UAE government approved amendments to the "Executive Regulations of the Law on Citizenship and Passports", which allow certain categories of foreigners, their spouses, and children to acquire Emirati citizenship. The amendment provides specific conditions for each category and allows naturalized citizen to retain their primary citizenship.
The following categories of foreigners may be nominated for UAE citizenship:
- Investors
- Doctors
- Specialists
- Inventors
- Scientists
- Intellectuals
- Persons with creative abilities.
Conditions for obtaining UAE citizenship
- The investor must own real estate in the UAE.
- A doctor or specialist should specialize in a scientific discipline that is in great demand in the UAE, as well as make a recognized scientific contribution and have practical experience of at least 10 years. They must have membership in a reputable organization in their specialty.
- A scientist should be an active researcher at a university, research center, or in the private sector. They must have practical experience of at least 10 years in the same field and must contribute to this industry. They must also have a letter of recommendation from a recognized scientific institution in the UAE.
- The inventor must have one or more patents approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy or any other authoritative international body. They should also have a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
- Intellectuals and others with creative talents must be arts and culture professionals and must have at least one international award. A letter of recommendation from related government agencies is also needed.
Other terms
Relevant candidates need:
- take an oath of allegiance to the UAE;
- undertake an obligation to comply with UAE laws;
- inform the UAE state body in case of acquisition or loss of any other citizenship.
In case of violation of the conditions, citizenship may be revoked.
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How to get UAE citizenship?
You can obtain UAE citizenship only through the courts of rulers and crown princes, the offices of executive councils, and the Cabinet of Ministers based on candidates for federal entities.
United Arab Emirates