Those of you who recently moved to the UAE might be familiarising yourself with the visa and residency requirements. In addition to handling all the paperwork when you move to the UAE, whether it's for a new job or to start a business, you may also need to apply for a visa for your family members as well.
Expatriates living in the UAE on a long-term basis are required to obtain a residence visa. When applying for a visa for a family member, you will be classified as a 'sponsor' and the relative will either be referred to as a 'dependent' or as a 'sponsored'.
People who have recently received a UAE residence visa stamp in their passport and have received an Emirates ID card. Can they sponsor their wives and what are the costs?
Here you will find all the information you need:
Here is the step-by-step process, cost, documents, and locations of the service centers.
Documents Needed
Firstly, ensure that your marriage certificate is attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country, the Embassy of the UAE in your country, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) in the UAE.
According to Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), husbands must submit the following documents to apply for their wives' entry permits or residence visas:
1. Application Form (Done at Amer Typing Center)
2. A recent picture of your wife with a white background.
3. Photocopy of the sponsor's passport and valid residence visa.
4. You should have a copy of your wife's passport, which should have a validity of more than six months.
5. Cancelled Visa Page of Dependent (if already in UAE and has previous visa)
6. Marriage certificate is attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country, the Embassy of the UAE in your country, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) in the UAE.
7. No objection certificate (NOC) from the husband’s consulate, if his nationality is different from that of the wife.
8. The sponsor must provide either a salary certificate, work contract, or partnership contract (depending on the establishment of the sponsor), provided that his monthly income is at least Dh4,000.
9. Attested tenancy contract (Ejari for Dubai) must be in the name of the sponsor
10. University Diploma (of Sponsor) (Attested)
11. Latest Water and Electricity Bill (DEWA)
Read: What Is The Difference Between An Entry Permit And A UAE Residence Visa?
Where do I need to apply for the residence visa process:
Upon having all the required documents in place, you can apply for the visa:
1. By visiting an Amer centre.
2. By visiting a registered typing center.
3. Online, via DubaiNow.
Read: How To Apply For Family Residence Visa On DubaiNow App
What Is The Dubai Amer Center? Where Is It? What Do They Do?
The visa application process
Whether you visit an Amer Center or a typing center, you must follow these steps:
1. Open the sponsor file
It is first necessary to provide your sponsor details, so a file can be opened within the immigration system. This is known as a 'sponsor file'.
2. Apply for an entry permit
After that, you will have to apply for an entry permit for your wife. In this way, your wife will be able to travel to the UAE, where she will apply for her visa.
3. If your wife lives in the UAE, then you need to "change status".
When your wife already resides in the UAE, you must first request an entry permit and then apply for a change of status.
Medical Fitness test
A medical fitness test will need to be done by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) once you have completed the visa application process.
The following is a list of all medical fitness centers operated by the DHA: (Click on the links for location and contact details)
Karama Medical Fitness Express Service Center
Bur Dubai Medical Fitness Center
Al Muhaisnah Medical Fitness Center
Al Quoz Mall Medical Fitness Center
Al Yalayis Medical Fitness Center
Al Nahda Occupational Health Screening & Medical Fitness Center
Al Garhoud Medical Fitness Center
Al Rashidiya Medical Fitness Center
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority
Dubai International Financial Center
AXS medical Fitness Center, Dubai Knowledge Park
Emirates Medical Fitness Center, Dubai Health Care City
Al Lusaily Medical Fitness Center
Dubai Land Department Medical Fitness Center, Baniyas Rd, Near Etisalat Building, Deira
In the medical fitness center, you will have to undergo a few tests such as a blood test and an X-ray of the chest. The results will be available within 24 hours. It is also possible to apply for express or VIP delivery if you wish to receive them sooner.
Read: What Is The Process To Obtain Health Insurance In The UAE
Emirates ID application
Next, you need to get your wife's Emirates ID, which you can do by visiting a center of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) and having your fingerprints taken.
ICP customer happiness centers in Dubai are listed below: (Click on the links for location and contact details)
Al Baraha Customer Happiness Office
Al Yalayis Customer Happiness Center
Hatta Customer Happiness Office
General Directorate of Residency And Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, Al Jafiliya
Al Barsha Customer Happiness Center
Al Rashidiya Customer Happiness Center
Al Ghazal Customer Happiness Center
Following your application, the Emirates ID will be delivered to the closest Emirates Post office. You will need to provide the SMS reference number you receive on your registered mobile number in order to collect the ID.
Read: How To Apply For An Emirates ID: All You Need To Know About Emirates ID 2022
How To Change The Mobile Number Linked With The UAE Emirates ID Online
How To Check Emirates ID Fines In Two Minutes
How To Check Emirates ID Status Online 2022
How To Get New Emirates ID Within Few Hours: Emirates ID Renewal
A Guide To Emirates ID: New Emirates ID Features And How To Use Them
Health insurance applications
In Dubai, health insurance coverage is mandatory, and family members must even get a basic health plan, referred to as the Essential Benefits Plan. The health insurance can be applied for online through a health insurance provider. As an alternative, if you apply through a typing center, they can also apply for your health insurance. Depending on your budget and healthcare needs, you can select a basic plan, a comprehensive plan, or an enhanced benefits plan.
Obtain a visa stamp on passport
Lastly, the visa must be stamped. The ICP announced recently, however, that visas will no longer be stamped on passports, with Emirates IDs as the main proof of residency.
However, Dubai residents may still need their visas stamped for now. In that case, your passport would be collected for stamping and delivered to you within four working days. Courier charges are included in the cost mentioned below.
The paperwork to become a Dubai resident will be complete after your visa has been stamped and your Emirates ID is in your possession.
Read: Emirates ID Will Serve As Your Residence Document: No UAE Visa Stamp On Your Passport
How much does it cost?
The following are the charges you will need to pay throughout the process:
1. File opening cost: AED 269
2. Entry permit cost:
If your wife lives outside the UAE: AED 500 or
If your wife is inside the UAE: AED 1,180
3. Change of status cost: AED 675
4. Medical fitness test cost: AED 320 (general)
5. Emirates ID cost: for 1 year AED170, for 2 years AED 270, for 3 years AED 370
6. Visa stamping cost: AED 500
7. Health insurance cost: It varies according to coverage and benefits.
Note: The fee listed above is not fixed and is subject to change without prior notice.
Additionally, you will need to pay the service fee or typing charge if you applied for the visa through a typing center. Cost vary from service provider to service provider.
This is everything you need to know before applying for your wife's visa in the UAE. Please let us know if we missed anything or if anything is incorrect in the comment box. Feel free to share your experiences as well. Please share as much as you can.
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Also Read:
How To Apply For Five-year UAE Tourist Visa Through Typing Centres
Steps to Renew Your Residence Permit Online In UAE
Have You Applied For A UAE ID? Take A Look At The New Photo Requirements
The Cost Of Dubai Family Residence Visas: Everything You Need To Know