Dubai Family Visa Requirements and Application
The Dependent Visa service helps eligible residents apply for residence visas for their dependents in Dubai. A dependent residence visa allows family members of a UAE resident to legally live in the UAE under the sponsor’s residency and may apply to a spouse or child, subject to eligibility and supporting documents.
This service simplifies the process by supporting application submission, entry visa and change of status where applicable, medical test and Emirates ID coordination, appointment scheduling for medical test and biometrics, escort support to testing and biometrics centres, and handling of the key documents required to complete the dependent residence visa process.
This service includes
Dependent Visa Requirements, Timeline and Fees
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Sponsor documents | Latest 3 months bank statement if the sponsor is an investor or partner, salary certificate from Meydan Free Zone if the sponsor is an employee, Emirates ID, notarized NOC from the father for wives sponsoring children if the father is inside the country, and housing lease contract Ejari or proof of owned residence |
Dependent spouse documents | Tourist visa or cancelled visa if inside the UAE, attested marriage certificate copy in English or Arabic legal translation, coloured passport copy including signature page, and passport-size photograph |
Dependent child documents | Tourist visa or cancelled visa if inside the UAE, attested marriage certificate copy of parents in English or Arabic legal translation, attested birth certificate copy in English or Arabic legal translation, coloured passport copy including signature page, and passport-size photograph |
Sponsor details required | Tourist visa or cancelled visa if inside the UAE, attested marriage certificate copy of parents in English or Arabic legal translation, attested birth certificate copy in English or Arabic legal translation, coloured passport copy including signature page, and passport-size photograph |
Dependent details required | Sponsor type as investor, partner, or employee, name, email ID, phone number, and marital status |
Estimated timeline | 10 to 15 business days |
Dependent Visa
Attachments from Sponsor
- Salary certificate from Meydan Free Zone (If sponsor is an employee)
- UAE PASS or original Emirates ID
- Notarised NOC from the father (For wives sponsoring children and if father is inside the country)
- Coloured Passport copy w/ signature page (if business license issued outside of Meydan Free Zone)
- Residence visa (if business license issued outside of Meydan Free Zone)
Other:
- Payment
Attachments from Dependent (if Spouse)
- UAE MOFA Attested Marriage certificate copy (must be in English or in Arabic legal translation)
- Coloured Passport copy w/ signature page
- Passport size photo
Attachments from Dependent (if Child)
- UAE MOFA Attested Marriage certificate copy (must be in English or in Arabic legal translation)
- UAE MOFA Attested Birth Certificate copy (must be in English or in Arabic legal translation)
- Coloured Passport copy w/ signature page
- Passport size photo
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Questions? Answers.
Who can I sponsor on a UAE Dependent (Family) Visa under Meydan Free Zone?
If you hold a valid UAE residency visa through Meydan Free Zone, you are eligible to sponsor your immediate family members under a UAE Dependant (Family) Visa. This typically includes your spouse and children, and in certain cases, parents. Sponsorship eligibility is determined by UAE immigration regulations and generally depends on factors such as the sponsor’s residency status, minimum income requirements, suitable accommodation, and valid medical insurance for dependants.
Through Meydan Free Zone’s Dependant Visa service under mResidency, support is provided to manage the dependant residency process end to end. This includes application submission for the entry visa, change of status where applicable, medical test coordination, Emirates ID application, and issuance of the dependant residence visa. The service also covers appointment scheduling for medical tests and biometrics, optional private transport to the medical test and biometrics appointment with in-centre assistance, and coordination of all required documents, ensuring the process remains compliant with UAE residency requirements. The outcome is a streamlined dependant residency journey, managed within the Meydan Free Zone online portal from application to visa issuance.
What is the minimum salary requirement to sponsor dependents under Meydan Free Zone?
To sponsor dependants in Dubai, sponsors must meet the minimum salary requirement set by UAE immigration authorities, which is currently AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 per month with employer-provided accommodation. This threshold generally applies when sponsoring a spouse and/or children and must be supported by official proof of income.
For business owners or investors, dependants can be sponsored directly under the company business license. With a Meydan Free Zone business license, dependant visa applications are seamlessly connected to the business setup through mResidency, allowing the entire process to be handled in a structured, digital, and coordinated manner.
Is a medical fitness test required for dependents?
Yes. Medical fitness tests are required for dependants aged 18 years and above as part of the UAE residence visa application process. This typically includes a medical examination conducted at an approved government medical fitness centre, such as blood tests and a chest X-ray.
In addition, dependants are also required to complete a biometrics appointment for Emirates ID registration. Both the medical fitness test and biometrics are mandatory steps and must be completed before the dependant residence visa can be issued. Through mResidency's Dependant Visa service, the medical fitness and biometrics steps are coordinated as part of the overall application workflow, including appointment scheduling and process guidance.
Are there special rules or higher requirements for sponsors who are women or investors?
Yes, in some cases.
For female sponsors, there is no blanket restriction, but additional documentation may be requested in specific scenarios, especially when sponsoring children. For example, immigration may require proof of custody or a notarised No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the father in certain cases, depending on the child’s circumstances and where the father is located.
For investors/partners, requirements can be slightly different because income is not always proven through a salary certificate. Immigration may request company and visa status documentation and, in some cases, a refundable security deposit for dependant sponsorship under investor/partner categories.
Through Meydan Free Zone's Dependant Visa service under mResidency, the team helps identify the correct pathway for your sponsor type (employee vs investor/partner) and coordinates the submissions and supporting documents required for your specific case, in line with immigration rules.
What are common reasons for delay or rejection of a Dependent Visa application?
Delays or rejections of a UAE dependant visa application most commonly occur due to incomplete or incorrectly attested documents, such as marriage or birth certificates that have not been properly legalised. Applications may also be delayed if the sponsor does not meet the minimum salary or eligibility requirements, or if required medical fitness tests or biometrics appointments are not completed on time.
Other common issues include incorrect or inconsistent application details, missing supporting documents, or delays in approvals from UAE immigration authorities. mResidency supports dependant visa applications through a coordinated digital process, helping ensure documents are correctly submitted, medical appointments are scheduled on time, and applications progress smoothly through each stage.