Residency Visa Procedures in the UAE
Spouse sponsorship:
A husband may sponsor his wife’s residency in the UAE only if his total earnings amount to AED 4000 per month or more. If the husband is the sole provider in the family then he should make all the necessary applications for a spousal visa.
A wife may sponsor her husband if she is employed as a doctor; engineer or teacher and she should be earning more than AED5000 per month. However, there have been conflicting reports in the media with regards to a wife sponsors employment stating that if she is employed in a similar field to the ones mentioned above and has a salary of AED 10 000 or more the UAE government may consider allowing her to sponsor the husband.
Here are the documents that the sponsor and spouse will need to bring to the typing office:
- The application form available from the typing center at the immigration department.
- Two photographs of the sponsored spouse, always have extra photographs handy as a precaution.
- The original entry permit of the sponsored spouse, this could be a tourist visa.
- The original passports of the sponsor and the spouse and their photocopies.
- Original and valid medical certificate.
- Sponsor’s employment contract, attested.
- Sponsor’s salary certificate, attested.
- Sponsor’s residence visa and copy.
- Tenancy contract in the sponsor’s name or if company provided.
- Health insurance for spouse.
- Duly attested marriage certificate.
Whether the wife is being sponsored by the husband or vice versa, here are the steps to follow;
- The sponsored spouse should have his/her blood tests and x-rays completed at an authorized medical facility and should retain the certificate for visa processing.
- The sponsor and spouse should visit the typing center at the immigration department together. Have all the documents ready and fill the application forms in and pay the necessary fees here.
- Fees are AED100 per year and spousal sponsorship is usually valid for three years. The total fee for a three year visa usually amounts to AED370 after extra charges are added.
Please be aware that a sponsored spouse is not allowed to be employed unless they have a labour card, work permit or employment visa.
Sponsoring children:
Male children can be sponsored by their families up to the age of 18, and thereafter to the age of 21 only if they are enrolled in a full time university or college degree. A female child can be sponsored by her family as long as she remains unmarried.
Step children will need permission from the biological parent or guardian for the purposes of sponsorship. If the biological parent or guardian is unavailable check to see what documents are necessary for the immigration department to process the sponsorship.
Here are the documents that the sponsor will need to bring to the typing office:
- The application form available from the typing center at the immigration department.
- Two photographs of the child, always have extra photographs handy as a precaution.
- The original passports of the sponsor and the child and their photocopies.
- Original and valid medical certificate.
- Sponsor’s employment contract, attested.
- Sponsor’s salary certificate, attested.
- Sponsor’s residence visa and copy.
- Tenancy contract in the sponsor’s name or if company provided.
- Health insurance for the child.
- Duly attested birth certificate.
Here are the steps to follow;
- The child should have his/her blood tests and x-rays completed at an authorized medical facility and should retain the certificate for visa processing.
- The sponsor should visit the typing center at the immigration department. Have all the documents ready and fill the application forms in and pay the necessary fees here.
- Fees are AED100 per year and like spousal sponsorship, child’s sponsorship is usually valid for three years. The total fee for a three year visa usually amounts to AED370 after extra charges are added.
Always double check the requirements for a residency visa with the immigration department before you go there to avoid unnecessary trips to and from the department. Always bring original documents and their copies in both black and white and colour to have with you just in case they are needed. Remember to carry lots of photographs as a precaution if any extras are needed.
