All You Need to Know about Bringing your Spouse to the UAE

All You Need to Know about Bringing Your Spouse to the UAE

by Priyadarshini Balamurugan 06, Feb 2024

Apart from the employment visa, women can also add work in Dubai on a husband’s visa. Married spouses can sponsor one another for a residence visa within the UAE. However, this visa does not serve as a work permit. If the spouse decides to work, he or she requires a work permit from the employer.

Table of Contents

Learn all about Sponsoring your Spouse

Below are a few points that you need to go through before considering sponsoring your spouse:

  • Sponsoring your Spouse

Men who work and live in the UAE can bring their wives to the UAE. The husband can sponsor his wife as long as he follows the residency regulations. However, Muslims with more than one wife can only sponsor one for the residency visa.

  • Rules for Sponsoring your spouse

Any husband can sponsor his better half as long as he meets this criterion:

  • A salary of AED 4,000 AED or AED 3,000 as long as the accommodation is provided.
  • A husband can sponsor his wife, and on the other hand, a wife can sponsor her husband if she works in a qualified profession like a teacher, doctor, engineer or equivalent. She must have a minimum income of AED 5,000. Rules are more lenient if the wife is earning quite AED 10,000.
  • It is important to note that you can sponsor a partner only if you are legally married. A marriage certificate is required as proof of marriage.
  • No Objection Certificate

After one of the spouses gets a job, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required. The other partner should prepare this, and it will be addressed to the fresh employer. Only they can address the new employer and issue a work permit.

  • Residence Visa in UAE

The UAE resident sponsor (basically the ex-pat sponsoring his or her family) has 60 days to use for his or her dependents’ residence visa after entering the UAE. 

“What this suggests is that, essentially, the sponsor (the ex-pat) has two months’ time to urge the family members’ residence visa stamped. 

Remember, when the family arrives in the UAE, they are given an entry permit. This status has got to be modified to a legitimate resident visa holder.

  • Validity of the Visa

Family visas are issued for one, two or three years, depending on the nature of the work and labour contract of the sponsor.

Sponsored residents – barring adult males (basically sons who are pursuing their education) and sponsored parents - can enjoy equivalent visa duration as their sponsors. 

“For sons and oldsters, the residence visa is granted on a yearly basis no matter the sponsor’s visa duration,” he said. 

  • Medical Fitness Requirement

In order for the UAE to grant or renew a residence visa for relations, men and ladies who have completed the age of 18 need to take a medical fitness test at government-approved health centers within the UAE

All visa applicants, whether for the first time or renewal, will be tested for two communicable diseases: HIV (by testing their blood) and pulmonary tuberculosis (by taking an x-ray of their chest). 

Those found to be HIV positive or having tuberculosis are going to be considered medically unfit and thus will not be granted a residence visa. They are going to be deported immediately by the UAE's authorities.

  • Residents with Dormant / Inactive Pulmonary TB

Residents who are detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit. In this case, they are granted a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’ subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or an equivalent government health authority.

How do you apply for a Dependent Visa in Dubai?

Read the details below if you want to sponsor your spouse and children in Dubai.

To sponsor a wife, the expatriate resident must show an existing marriage relationship by submitting a licensed marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a licensed translator.

  • How to Apply

Apply through the online application or through a registered typing office.

  • Documents Required

  • Passport copies of the wife and children.
  • Photos of the wife and children.
  • Medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18.
  • Copy of the spouse’s employment contract or company contract.
  • Salary certificate from the employer stating the employee's monthly salary.
  • Legalised marriage certificate.
  • Registered tenancy contract.
  • Latest utility bill.

Sponsoring Two Wives

In strict cases, a Muslim resident could also be allowed to sponsor his two wives if he meets certain terms and conditions set by the GDRFA.

Conclusion

The latest regulation by the Labour Ministry in 2011 indicates that residents in the UAE, under the sponsorship of their spouse, can work without a permit. The above details and information will help to bring your spouse to the UAE. For any more data, contact us.

FAQs

Where can I apply for a spouse visa?

You can apply through a registered typing office.

How long does it take for a UAE spouse visa approval?

Approximately 3 to 5 working days.

What is required to sponsor your spouse in UAE?

A minimum salary of ADE 4000 and a valid residency permit are required

When to apply for a UAE sponsorship visa?

After modifying your status from entry permit holder to residence visa holder.

How long is a residency visa valid for expatriate employees?

1 or 2 years based on the individual’s labour contract.

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