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Expats can now only sponsor family members to the UAE based on income, not profession
14 July 2019
| Last updated on 22 July 2019
The new rule is in effect...
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced that any UAE resident who wishes to sponsor their family in the country must be earning a minimum of AED 4,000 without accommodation, or AED 3,000 with company-provided housing.
This allows any expat - female or male - to bring their spouse and children to stay and live with them in the UAE. Parents can bring their sons who are under the age of 18, whereas daughters can remain in the UAE regardless of age so long as the parent's visa remains valid.
Authorities explained that the combined family income, or at least either the husband's or wife's, must be no less than AED 3,000 with accommodation provided by the company or AED 4,000 without provided housing.
SEE ALSO: 11 Ways Working Parents Can Help Improve Their Work-Life Balance
The new decree also requires that the sponsored family members are covered by health insurance throughout their stay in the UAE, present proof of their registration in the Population Register System, and an Emirates ID issued for each of them.
Enhancing family stability of expats
Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICA, stated that the decree was made in order to make it easier for expat workers to bring their families, keeping in mind various social and economic aspects. ICA hopes to increase the happiness of residents by improving their work and life balance.
The UAE Cabinet instructed authorities to examine and suggest a number of facilities related to improving the basic services for UAE residents, which will also include health and schooling services.
"This [amendment] eliminates the negative gender-related issues," added Major General Al Rashidi.
Previously, female residents who wished to sponsor their families in the UAE had to meet a minimum monthly income requirement that was more than that of a male expat's income who wanted to sponsor his family.
The decree aims to contribute to raising the work-productivity and positivity of residents, as well as strengthen the UAE's attractiveness as a destination for skilled professionals to work and live in.
