UAE is a dream destination for people seeking better job opportunities, a high standard of living, and a vibrant lifestyle. With tax-free salaries and a welcoming business environment, the country attracts professionals, families, and investors alike. To live or work, you need a visa sponsorship in UAE.
Whether you are planning to work, join a family, or start a business, understanding UAE visa sponsorship is important. Let’s explore the different types in detail.
Types of Visa Sponsorship in UAE
There are two types of sponsored visas in the UAE. The sponsored residence UAE visa allows the expats to live and work legally in the country. Expatriate residents can sponsor their families to reside in the UAE if they have a valid residence permit.
1. Standard Work Visa Sponsorship
This is the most common type of work visa sponsored by employers in the private sector, government, or free zones. This renewable visa is valid for 2 years and sponsored by the resident’s employer. However, with a sponsored UAE work visa, you are restricted to working for the sponsoring employer only.
Rules for Work Visa Sponsorship in UAE
To work in the UAE, both you and your employer must meet these conditions:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- The hiring company must have a UAE-valid business licence.
- The company should not have any legal violations.
- Your job role must align with the company’s business activities.
Eligibility
Anyone over 18 years of age can work in the UAE if they meet the rules set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). There’s no maximum age limit, but employers pay higher fees for workers over 65.
Foreign workers are grouped into three skill levels:
- Category 1: Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Category 2: Post-secondary diploma holders
- Category 3: High school diploma
Requirements
- Valid passport (minimum six months validity)
- Passport photos
- Entry work permit from the Ministry of Labour
- Signed employment contract
- Medical screening clearance
- Health insurance
Fees for Work Visa Sponsorship in UAE
| Type | Application Fee | Insurance Fee/year | Online Fee |
| Government Sector | AED 100 | AED 100 | AED 150 |
| Private Sector | AED 100 | AED 100 | AED 150 |
| Investor | AED 100 | AED 100 | AED 150 |
Key Steps for Getting a Work Visa Sponsorship
The following are the important steps to obtain an employer-sponsored residence visa in the UAE:
- Quota Approval: The employer applies for approval to hire foreign workers from the Ministry of Labour (MOL).
- Sign Employment Contract: Both parties sign a contract mentioning salary, benefits and terms, which is then submitted to MOL for approval.
- Apply for Work Permit: The employer submits the required documents to get the employee’s work permit and entry visa.
- Receive Entry Visa: Employee gets an entry visa to enter the UAE within 60 days.
- Medical Test: Upon arrival, the employee undergoes medical checks for fitness and infectious diseases.
- Apply for Residence Visa: The employer applies for the employee’s residence visa after medical clearance.
- Health Insurance: The employer provides mandatory health insurance for the employee.
- Submit Labor Contract: A finalised labour contract is submitted to MOHRE for review and attestation.
- Receive Residence Visa: Employee gets a residence visa approved by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) to live and work legally in the UAE.
- Apply for Emirates ID: The employee applies for an Emirates ID needed for residency and basic everyday activities.
2. Family Visa Sponsorship
Once an expat’s employer grants him a residency visa, he can apply for a family sponsorship visa in the UAE to shift his immediate family members with him.
Rules for Family Visa Sponsorship in UAE
The following are some important rules to abide by before applying for a family sponsorship visa in the UAE:
- Minimum Salary: Sponsor must earn at least AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation.
- Medical Tests: Family members over 18 must pass medical fitness tests at approved UAE health centres.
- Mother Sponsorship: Mothers can sponsor children in special cases approved by the ICP.
- Visa Application Time: Sponsors have 60 days to apply for a residence visa after the family enters the UAE with an entry permit.
- Parent Sponsorship: Residents can sponsor their parents, but the visa is issued yearly regardless of the duration of the sponsor’s visa.
- No Job Restrictions: The sponsor’s profession no longer affects their ability to sponsor family visas.
- Medical Fitness: Medically unfit individuals cannot get a residence visa.
- TB Cases: Residents with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis can get a one-year Health Fitness Certificate as they are considered medically fit. However, they do require treatment and follow-up by the respective health authority.
Sponsoring Wife and Children
If he fulfils the requirements, an expatriate resident can sponsor his wife and children. To sponsor the wife, the expatriate resident must prove his existing marital relationship by submitting an attested marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator.
Sponsoring Two Wives
A Muslim resident may sponsor two wives under strict conditions set by the ICP.
Sponsoring Daughters
Unmarried daughters can be sponsored without age restrictions.
Sponsoring Sons
Sons can be sponsored until the age of 25. Sons with special needs (“sons of determination”) can be sponsored with no age limit.
Sponsoring Newborns
Residence visas for babies born in the UAE must be applied for within 120 days to avoid fines.
Sponsoring Stepchildren
Stepchildren can be sponsored with a deposit for each child and a no-objection letter from the biological parent. Their visas are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
Required Documents for a Family Visa Sponsorship in UAE
- Completed application form (online or through a registered typing office).
- Sponsor’s Passport Copy
- Sponsor’s UAE Residency Visa Copy
- Passport copies of the wife and children
- Recent photos of the wife and children
- Medical clearance certificates for wife and children above 18
- Copy of the husband’s employment or company labour contract
- Salary certificate from the husband’s employer
- Attested UAE marriage certificate
- Birth Certificates, attested and translated into Arabic
- School Certificates for older children (if applicable)
- The latest utility bill
- Registered tenancy contract
Parents Sponsorship
An expatriate employee can sponsor their parents for a one-year stay by paying a deposit for each as required by the immigration department.
- Both parents must be sponsored together unless one has passed away or they are divorced. In this case, official documents are needed as proof.
- The sponsor must provide evidence that they are the sole supporter of their parents and meet the minimum salary requirements.
- Minimum salary of AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 with accommodation.
- Additionally, the sponsor must secure medical insurance with the required coverage for each parent, renewed annually.
Validity
A UAE Family Visa is valid for 1, 2 or 3 years and must be renewed at least 30 days before it expires. Since the visa is dependent on the sponsor, it becomes invalid if the sponsor’s visa expires or is cancelled.
Key Steps for Getting a Family Visa Sponsorship in UAE
The following are the important steps to obtain a resident-sponsored family visa in the UAE:
- Apply for Entry Permit: Family members outside the UAE can apply via the GDRFA website or authorised typing centres.
- Medical Fitness Test: Adult family members must pass a medical fitness test at approved UAE health centres.
- Apply for Residency Visa: Submit the residency visa application through GDRFA or a typing centre with the required documents and fees.
- Emirates ID Application: Apply for the Emirates ID, a mandatory identification card for UAE residents.
- Visa Stamping: Once approved, the residency visa will be stamped on the family member’s passport.
Visa Fees
- File opening: AED 200
- Entry permit: AED 100
- Residence visa: AED 310
- Medical fitness test: AED 420
- Emirates ID: AED 370
The cost of a family visa in the UAE ranges between AED 3,000 and AED 7,000, depending on whether it’s for renewal or a new issuance. These fees may vary over time.
FAQs
The UAE allows expatriates to sponsor immediate family members under family-friendly visa policies. Sponsors must meet specific criteria, including a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation.
The most effective approach to getting visa sponsorship in the UAE is to secure a job offer from a company. Job seekers should focus on finding positions that align with their skills and qualifications to increase their chances of sponsorship.
The cost of a family visa in the UAE ranges from AED 3,000 to AED 7,000, depending on whether it is for a new or renewal visa. Fees may change over time.
In summary, the UAE sponsorship visa process is now faster and easier than ever. This guide has outlined all the key steps and requirements to help you secure your visa, sponsor your family, and work legally in the UAE. You can also check out this guide to the type of residence visas in the UAE for a better understanding.
