One of the biggest lifestyle wins after completing your business setup in Dubai is bringing your family on sponsored residence visas — and in 2025 the rules are more generous and faster than ever before. Whether you used a budget AED 18,000 package or a premium DMCC setup, here’s exactly how to sponsor your spouse, children, parents, and even domestic staff within weeks of getting your own residence visa.
Who You Can Sponsor in 2025 (Official Rules)
| Relationship | Minimum Salary / Conditions | Visa Duration | Cost (2025) |
| Spouse | AED 4,000 OR AED 3,000 + accommodation | 3 years | AED 4,500–5,500 |
| Children (sons < 25) | No salary requirement | 3 years | AED 4,500–5,500 |
| Daughters (unmarried) | No age limit if unmarried | 3 years | AED 4,500–5,500 |
| Parents / Parents-in-law | AED 20,000 salary OR AED 1 million property ownership | 1 year (renewable) | AED 6,500–8,000 |
| Domestic staff (maid/driver) | AED 5,000–10,000 salary + accommodation contract | 2 years | AED 6,000–7,500 |
Golden Visa holders can sponsor parents for 10 years automatically — no salary proof needed.
Step-by-Step Family Sponsorship Process (14–21 Days Total)
Step 1 – Get Your Own Residence Visa First (Mandatory)
You must have a valid 3-year investor/partner visa stamped before sponsoring anyone.
Step 2 – Secure Accommodation (Ejari or Title Deed)
- Tenancy contract registered on Ejari (minimum 1-bedroom recommended)
- OR property title deed in your name (mortgaged is acceptable)
Step 3 – Salary Certificate or Bank Statement
- Company-issued salary certificate (even if you pay yourself AED 4,000)
- OR 3-month corporate bank statement showing regular salary credit
Step 4 – Documents Required
For each dependant:
- Passport copy (valid > 8 months)
- Passport photo (white background)
- Marriage certificate (attested + translated if not in English/Arabic)
- Birth certificate for children (attested)
- Medical insurance policy (minimum AED 50,000 coverage per person — mandatory in Dubai)
Step 5 – Application & Medical
- Submit via GDRFA website or typing centre
- Entry permit issued in 2–5 days
- Enter UAE → medical test + Emirates ID biometrics (same day VIP)
- Visa stamped within 3–7 days
Total time from application to family in Dubai: 14–21 days.
Real 2025 Costs Breakdown (Family of 4 Example)
| Item | Cost (AED) |
| Spouse visa + medical + ID | 5,200 |
| Two children (< 18) | 10,400 |
| Tenancy Ejari (1-bedroom, JVC) | 65,000/year |
| Medical insurance (family plan) | 8,500/year |
| Typing centre + PRO fees | 3,500 |
| Total first year | ~92,600 |
Pro Tips to Save Money & Time in 2025
- Use your company to issue yourself a AED 5,000–10,000 salary certificate — banks accept it after just one payroll run
- Buy a studio in JVC or Dubai South for AED 650k–850k → no salary proof needed for parents
- Apply for all family members at once — one medical trip for everyone
- Use consultants who include family sponsorship in their “lifetime PRO” package
- Golden Visa holders skip salary requirements entirely for parents
New 2025 Rule Changes You Must Know
- Unmarried daughters now sponsored with no age limit (previously 30)
- Sons up to 25 automatically (previously 21, or 25 only if studying)
- Parents’ visa extended from 1 year to 2 years if you own property > AED 750k
- Medical insurance mandatory — fines start at AED 500/month per person if missing
The moment your own visa is stamped, sponsoring your family becomes the next logical step. Do it right and within one month of your business setup in Dubai, your entire family is legally resident in one of the safest, most tax-free cities on earth.
