Expats in the UAE can enjoy the incredible opportunities here with their spouses, children, or extended families, regardless of whether they are building a family or flying their loved ones in from home.
There are rules allowing expats to sponsor their family's residence visas. Some visa regulations have been made more flexible in recent years as the country strives to attract more talent from around the world.
Employers and employees with valid residence visas can sponsor families, according to the UAE Government.
"Unlike before, employees can sponsor their families regardless of their job title if they earn a minimum salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 plus accommodation," the company said.
Once an expat enters the country under an entry permit, he has 60 days to apply for his dependents' residence visas. Before these can be granted, certain conditions must be met. A visa will not be granted to those who are "medically unfit."
Medical fitness tests are required for dependents over the age of 18 as part of the application process.
On the UAE Government's website, Muslim expats may sponsor two wives at the same time under strict conditions.
According to the authorities, the sponsor must comply with certain terms and conditions set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
"In order to sponsor the wife, the expatriate resident must submit an attested marriage certificate in Arabic or a certified translation into Arabic by a translator," according to the guidelines.
The rule on getting visas for daughters is different from the process for sponsoring sons.
A daughter can only be sponsored if she is unmarried and there is no age limit. Sons, however, can fall under the sponsorship of their parents only until he is 25. Those with special needs can be sponsored with no age restrictions.
On the government's website, expats may also provide residency visas for stepchildren, subject to GDRFA conditions, including a deposit for each child and a written no-objection certificate from the biological parent.
The parents of babies born in the UAE must apply for the visa within 120 days of their birth. Otherwise, fines will be imposed.
Sponsorship requirements for a wife and children
- Application form — either online or through a registered typing office
- Passport copies of the wife and children
- Photos of the wife and children
- Medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18 years
- Copy of husband's employment contract or company contract
- Salary certificate from the employer stating the husband’s monthly salary
- Attested marriage certificate
- Registered a tenancy contract
Note that family members' residence visas are linked to the sponsor's visa. If the husband or father (or wife or mother) loses the visa, the dependents' sponsorship should also be cancelled.
"Dependants may obtain a new residence permit within 6 months of their visa expiration or cancellation. If the sponsor does not renew or cancel the dependents' visa, he may be liable for a fine," the government advises.