Dubai is popularly known as the melting pot of cultures as its 85% population is comprised of expatriates. Most of the expats are Asians, and the remaining belong to the western and European nations. The primary reason that attracts people of all nationalities to Dubai is the abundant opportunities the place offers, followed by better living standards. Many expatriates come alone to start a new life, and once they get settled, they wish to bring their families along so they can live together in this beautiful multicultural city.
If you’re a woman expat living in Dubai, we have amazing news to share with you. Earlier, the Dubai government allowed women expatriates working in select professions to sponsor their family members, a clause which was amended later in March, 2019. According to the new rules, woman expats can now sponsor their family in the UAE, irrespective of their profession. To be eligible to sponsor family members in the UAE, you must hold a valid residency permit and earn at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.
Women expats who have a valid residency permit and meet the minimum earning criteria can now sponsor their husbands and children by following the proper UAE sponsorship visa application process. To do so, they will need a written approval/application from the husband, in addition to other documents mentioned in a later section.
While you can sponsor your husband and children at a monthly salary of AED 10,000/month or AED 8,000 plus accommodation, the same cannot be done for sponsoring parents. To sponsor your parents, you should be earning at least AED 20,000/month or AED 19,000/month plus own a two-bedroom property. Also, bear in mind that you cannot sponsor only one parent. You have to sponsor both your parents and show valid proof that you’re the sole person on whom your parents are dependent.
Women expats cannot sponsor married daughters or sons above the age of 18 years. A 1-year residency visa can be offered to a son who is 18+ if he is studying in the UAE or abroad, and this sponsorship will be valid until he reaches 21 years of age. For this visa to be remain valid, the son will have to visit Dubai at least once every six months, and the residence visa can be renewed until the son completes his education.
When filling the UAE residency visa application form, you will be asked to submit various documents. If you’re sponsoring your husband and children, you will be required to submit the following:
Additional documents can also be asked, if the authorities deem fit.
If you’re a single mother, divorced, or willing to bring your stepchildren to Dubai, you should be aware of the additional document requirements. Single mothers can sponsor their children, provided they can submit a no-objection certificate from their husband, the child’s birth certificate, and additional documents as required by the authorities. Similar documents may be needed if you’re sponsoring your stepchild. The only difference in the latter case is that you will have to obtain a no-objection certificate from the biological parents, and the remaining document requirements remain the same.
A divorced woman expat or a widow can also sponsor her family in the UAE, provided she can submit the divorce certificate or a death certificate of her spouse along with the application process. In addition to these certificates, they should also have documented proof that she reserves her children’s rights and legal custody.
Once the application process is completed and your family members are brought to Dubai on an entry permit, they will have to take a medical fitness test at any one of the approved health centres in the UAE. The test is for adults who have completed 18 years of age. The applicants are tested for HIV and pulmonary tuberculosis. If they are found to have either one of the diseases, they will be deported by the authorities, and a UAE residency visa won’t be granted.
Women expats have a maximum of 60 days from the day their family members reach Dubai to apply for their family members UAE residency visa. In these two months, their members status should be changed from entry permit holder to a UAE resident visa holder. The visas are usually issued for 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year, depending on the expat’s employment contract. The visas can be renewed, if all the conditions pertaining to visa renewal are met. Dependents are usually granted an additional 30 days from the date of their visa expiry or cancellation to obtain a renewed residency permit, failing which they will be liable to pay hefty fines.
If you find the entire UAE sponsorship process to be tedious and complicated, you can let professionals do it for you. We at Zenesis Corp have helped various people get a family sponsorship visa and can happily do it for you too.
For any further queries, expats can contact us now at: +971 4 447 4997, WhatsApp: +971 58 914 2200 or email: info@zenesis.ae.
