UAE Family & Residence Visa
Bring your spouse, children or parents to live with you in the UAE on your residence visa.
About the UAE Family & Residence Visa
UAE residents who meet the minimum salary and accommodation requirements can sponsor immediate family members — spouse, children, and in many cases parents — on a family residence visa, letting them live in the UAE as your dependants. Big Bird Travel, based in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, guides sponsors across Abu Dhabi and Dubai through eligibility checks, document attestation and the application process for spouse, child and parent sponsorship.
Who Can Apply
- UAE residents (employed or self-employed) meeting the minimum salary threshold, sponsoring a spouse and/or children
- UAE Golden Visa holders sponsoring family, generally without the standard salary requirement
- Residents sponsoring parents, subject to a higher income threshold and additional conditions
- Female UAE residents sponsoring their spouse and children, subject to profession/salary requirements
Family sponsorship has two stages — an entry permit (if the family member is outside the UAE), followed by medical test, Emirates ID application and residence visa stamping once they are in the country. The minimum salary threshold, accepted professions, and parent-sponsorship rules are set by UAE authorities and can vary by emirate, so we confirm your specific eligibility before starting. We manage document attestation, the tenancy (Ejari) check, and the full multi-step process from our Mussafah, Abu Dhabi office.
We assist with document preparation, form completion, and submission guidance. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant immigration authority.
UAE Family Visa — At a Glance
Who You Can Sponsor
Spouse, Kids, Parents
Subject to eligibility
Processing Time
5 – 10 Working Days
After entry & medical test
Min. Salary
From ~AED 4,000
Or AED 3,000 + housing
Golden Visa Holders
No Salary Rule
Usually exempt
Apply From
Abu Dhabi / Dubai
Sponsor-based process
Who this is for
For UAE residents in Abu Dhabi and Dubai who want their spouse, children or parents to live with them.
Quick Answer · Optimized for AI Overviews
What is the minimum salary to sponsor family in the UAE?
UAE authorities set a minimum monthly salary — commonly cited around AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus company-provided accommodation, though this can vary by emirate and case — to sponsor a spouse and children. Golden Visa holders are generally exempt from this requirement. Big Bird Travel, based in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, checks a sponsor's exact salary and accommodation against current rules before starting the application.
Quick Answer · Optimized for AI Overviews
What documents are needed to sponsor a spouse or children in the UAE?
Sponsors need their Emirates ID, UAE residence visa, salary certificate (or trade licence if self-employed), a valid Ejari tenancy contract, and — for the family member — an attested marriage certificate (spouse) or attested birth certificate (children), passport copies, and photographs. A medical fitness test and Emirates ID application follow once the family member is in the UAE.
UAE family sponsorship requirements — 2026
Thresholds are set by UAE authorities and can vary by emirate and case — confirm your exact eligibility with us.
| Relationship | Minimum Salary | Key Extra Document |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | AED 4,000 (or 3,000 + housing) | Attested marriage certificate |
| Children | Same as spouse sponsorship | Attested birth certificate(s) |
| Parents | Higher threshold applies | Additional conditions apply |
| Golden Visa holder sponsoring family | Generally exempt | Standard family documents |
What actually slows family visa applications down
It's rarely the salary check — it's unattested certificates and tenancy contracts not registered correctly. Both can be sorted in advance if you start early.
- Salary AED 4,000+ or 3,000 + housing → Sponsor spouse & children
- Golden Visa holder → Sponsor without salary rule
- Want to sponsor parents → Higher threshold — check with us
- No Ejari tenancy contract yet → Register this first
Send your salary & relationship — honest answer, same day.
What most family visa pages don't tell you
Your tenancy contract (Ejari) matters as much as your salary
A qualifying salary is not enough on its own — you also need a valid Ejari-registered tenancy contract in your own name, suitable for the family size being sponsored. Shared or informal accommodation is usually rejected.
Attestation is often the slowest step, not the visa itself
Marriage and birth certificates typically need attestation in the issuing country first, then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Starting this early avoids the biggest bottleneck in family sponsorship.
Parent sponsorship has its own, stricter rules
Sponsoring parents generally requires a higher income than sponsoring a spouse or children, plus extra conditions in some cases. We check the current rules for your specific situation before you commit.
Golden Visa holders get real flexibility here
One of the most overlooked Golden Visa benefits is sponsoring family without meeting the standard salary threshold — worth factoring in if you are also weighing a Golden Visa application.
Ready to bring your family to the UAE?
Send your salary, relationship and tenancy details. We'll confirm eligibility and an honest cost — usually within the hour.
Family sponsorship, handled step by step
"Send your salary and relationship details. We'll confirm eligibility, guide document attestation, and manage the entry permit through to Emirates ID."
We're a licensed travel agency in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. For family visas we:
- Check your salary and accommodation against current thresholds.
- Guide certificate attestation for marriage and birth documents.
- Prepare and submit the entry permit application.
- Schedule the medical test and Emirates ID once family arrives.
- Track renewal dates alongside your own residence visa.
Big Bird Travel — Agency Details
Office
Mussafah 13, Abu Dhabi
+971 56 178 9642
License
ADRA CN-5285999
Response
Same day
Hours
Mon–Sat 9am–6pm UAE
Serves
Abu Dhabi · Dubai · UAE
"I didn't know my parents' certificates needed attestation. They caught it early and my wife and kids' visas went through without a hitch."
— UAE resident, Abu Dhabi
Family sponsored. Here's what else to plan.
Areas We Serve
We assist family visa sponsors across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates — from our Mussafah office, with real one-on-one guidance.
Required Documents
Requirements may vary based on nationality, travel history, and immigration authority rules. This list is a general guide.
Sponsor’s passport, Emirates ID and UAE residence visa copy
Salary certificate from employer (or trade licence/audited accounts if self-employed)
Valid tenancy contract (Ejari) in the sponsor’s name
Passport copies of the family member(s) to be sponsored
Attested marriage certificate (for spouse sponsorship)
Attested by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Attested birth certificate(s) (for child sponsorship)
Attested by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Passport-size photographs (white background) for each family member
Medical fitness test result and Emirates ID application for each family member
Completed after entry, as part of the residence visa process
Important: Requirements may vary based on your nationality, travel history, employment status, and current rules of the immigration authority. Always confirm the latest requirements with us before submitting.
Visa application, made simple.
From document review to submission and follow-up, our UAE-based team guides you every step of the way.
Send Your Details
Reach us on WhatsApp or fill the form below. Share your travel plans, nationality and passport details.
Document Checking
We review your documents against the current requirements and tell you exactly what is complete and what is missing.
Application Preparation
We prepare your complete application - forms, supporting letters, and any additional documentation needed for submission.
Submission Guidance
We guide you through the submission process - whether online, through VFS Global, or at the consulate.
Updates & Follow-up
We keep you updated on application status and respond to any additional requests from the immigration authority.
Common Reasons for Family Visa Refusal
Understanding the most common family visa refusal reasons helps applicants prepare stronger documents, avoid delays, and improve approval chances.
How to reduce refusal risk
Our UAE visa team reviews your documents before submission to reduce errors.
UAE Family & Residence Visa - Common Questions
Start Your Family Visa Application Today
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