How to Get a Family Visa in the UAE?
A Family Visa guarantees that your family members will stay with you wherever you work or live. When you start a business in the UAE, you will certainly want to invest more time in your new project in Dubai. To ensure that you spend enough time with your family, you can access a family visa for your immediate family members such as spouse, children and parents with the help of Family Visa Services.
Similarly, the situation with your employees. When you recruit people from India or any other non-emirate country to the UAE, they want to bring their families and offer them a better family life. To ensure the well-being of foreign investors and foreign employees, the UAE allows expatriates to sponsor their immediate family members to live with them in the country. The sponsoring expatriate must, however, meet specific eligibility criteria, including minimum salary requirements.
Submission of an application for a family visa requires certain documentation and verification. Let us examine the family visa process in the UAE.
How to Apply for Family Visa?
There are a few steps involved in obtaining a Family Visa. They are listed below:
Check Eligibility
Not every expatriate can obtain a family visa. There are some eligibility criteria for getting visa approval. To sponsor a family visa, the expatriate should have a valid residency visa and meet minimum salary requirements. The person should also be able to provide accommodation to the family members.
Documents Required
Don’t forget to get all the listed documents before applying for a family visa.
- The passport copy and residency visa copy of the sponsor
- Attested copy of the Marriage certificate (It should be translated into Arabic)
- Birth certificates of children attested and translated into Arabic to bring children
- Tenancy contract or Ejari to ensure accommodation.
- Utility bill
- Proof of salary
- Copies of passports of family members
Complete Medical Examination
Every adult family member, who is reaching the UAE on a Family Visa would undergo a medical test from an authorised medical centre.
Emirates ID
Emirates ID is essential for all including employees and family members. Apply for Emirates ID for each family member and complete biometric entry and fee payment.
Application Submission
Visa applications should be submitted to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
GDRFA Approval
Once the application is submitted and payment made, the GDRFA will review the application and issue an entry permit for the family members.
Entry Permit and Visa Stamping
Entry permits will help family members of expatriates to enter the country. Once they reach they should get their residency visa stamped in their passports.
Complexities in Getting a Family Visa
Though a consultant can help you get a family visa without much complexity, some issues may hinder the issuance of a family visa.
Timing and Processing Delays
The Family Visa application process involves multiple steps. If these steps get delayed, the issuance may be delayed. Scheduling medical tests, receiving results, and getting appointments at the GDRFA may get delayed unexpectedly due to holidays or other reasons.
Legal and Procedural Changes
The administration has the authority to change Immigration laws and procedures. If the applicant is unaware of the changes, it may cause hindrance. However, an expert visa consultant can help you.
Financial Reasons
The family visa process involves multiple fees for medical tests, Emirates ID, visa processing etc. This may cause a financial burden to some families.
If you do not want to bring your family for a full-time stay, you can go for a Tourist Visa Service. If you plan to apply for a Family Visa or Tourist Visa, contact us to learn more.