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2-year family visa in Dubai: costs & requirements (2026)

2-year family visa in Dubai: costs & requirements (2026)
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Author
Anastasia Davidova
Co-Founder & CEO movingo
𖡡 Dubai
Visa service in Dubai
⏱ 7 min read
May 22, 2026
If you're doing business in the UAE, you can easily bring your entire family with you. The most popular option is a 2-year family visa. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about this visa, including which family members you can bring and the conditions for doing so. We will also provide a lot of other useful information to help you prepare for your move.

What is a 2-year family visa?

2-year family visa (also known as a dependent visa) allows a UAE resident to sponsor their spouse, children, and sometimes parents so that they can live in Dubai. This option is available to business owners and people who work on a contract basis in the UAE.

How long is the two-year family visa valid in Dubai?

As the name indicates, the visa is valid for two years.

Who can you sponsor for a UAE family visa?

  • Spouse

    This applies equally to both spouses.
    In some cases, a Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor his two wives, provided he meets certain terms and conditions set by ICP.

  • Sons

    Residents can sponsor their male child until they're 25 years old. Male kids with special needs can also be sponsored without any restrictions.

  • Daughters

    An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter(s) only if she/they are unmarried and of any age.

  • Parents

    Typically, you would sponsor both parents together, unless one is deceased or divorced, in which case you would need official documentation. To qualify, you must meet specific financial requirements (see below).

  • Stepchildren

    This sponsorship will require a deposit per child, as well as a written no-objection certificate from the biological parents. The visas are good for one year.
You can also sponsor a newborn child born in the UAE. You have 120 days to apply for a family visa on his or her behalf.

Requirements for a UAE family visa

  • Have a valid UAE residence visa.

  • Meet the minimum salary requirement (see below).

  • Have a tenancy contract (Ejari) in your name.

  • Provide attested documents such as marriage and birth certificates.

  • Ensure that your family members have health insurance.

💡 Note: Family members, male and female, who are sponsored and over the age of 18, need to go through and pass medical exams at approved health centers.
Once you've got your visa and entry clearance for you and your family, and you've moved to the UAE, you've got 60 days to get dependent visas for your family members. During this time, there are a lot of documents and other important things that need to be prepared. You can save a lot of time and stress if you let us take care of your family visa applications.
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Salary requirements for a family visa in the UAE

  • Male sponsors must earn at least AED 4,000 per month, unless the employer provides housing, in which case the minimum is AED 3,000 per month.
  • Female sponsors usually require an income of at least AED 10,000 per month, or AED 8,000 per month including housing.
  • Sponsoring parents requires a much higher salary — usually around AED 20,000 per month — plus a suitable apartment.

How much does a 2-year family visa cost in Dubai?

Here is the average cost of a family visa per family member:

Factors that affect costs

Costs vary depending on:
  • Whether family members are inside or outside the UAE
  • Type of health insurance chosen
  • Use of express processing services
  • Extra charges like typing center fees, attestation, or security deposit, especially for parents
There's a lot to think about when it comes to calculating the cost of visas. You could get it wrong and end up overpaying, so it's best to leave it to the experts. Just give us a call and we'll take care of it for you. We'll review your situation and give you some personalized advice.
Calculate your visa price

Family visa costs by emirate: Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi comparison

Many people ask whether the family visa costs the same across the UAE. The short answer: almost — but not entirely.
The base visa fees are set at the federal level by the ICP and are generally the same across all emirates. However, typing center fees and health insurance costs may vary slightly between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates.
There is also an important structural difference: GDRFA handles family visa applications in Dubai, while ICP covers all other emirates — Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. The core rules are largely the same between the two authorities, but fees, deposit requirements, and processing channels differ in detail.
Sharjah is often cheaper than Dubai, with spousal sponsorship starting from AED 3,000–5,000 all-in.
💡 Key practical differences:
Dubai processes applications through Amer centres, which offer extended hours and express options (same-day for +AED 100). Sharjah and Abu Dhabi use ICP service centres and typing offices — typically slower but cheaper. For families relocating from outside the UAE, the emirate of application is determined by where the sponsor lives and is registered — you cannot choose a cheaper emirate purely to save on fees.

Spouse visa cost in UAE: what "wife visa" and "husband visa" actually mean

When people search for a "wife visa UAE", "husband visa Dubai", or "spouse visa cost", they are all describing the same document — a family residence visa for your partner. There is no separate visa category called a "spouse visa"; it is a family visa issued to your spouse under your sponsorship.

The cost of a spouse visa in the UAE is the same as any other dependent visa:
Salary requirements differ depending on who the sponsor is. Male sponsors need a minimum salary of AED 4,000 per month (or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided accommodation). Female sponsors need at least AED 10,000 per month (or AED 8,000 with accommodation).

Both spouses — regardless of gender — can sponsor their partner in the UAE. A wife can sponsor her husband and vice versa, provided the income threshold is met. One important nuance: the fees increase if your family member is already in the UAE, since you would need to pay an additional AED 750 for a visa status change rather than an entry permit from abroad.
💡 In short: "Wife visa Dubai", "husband visa UAE", "spouse visa cost" — all refer to the same 2-year family visa. Budget AED 4,500–6,500 per person.

Step-by-step application process

  • Get entry permit
  • Medical test (for those 18+): Get blood tests and X-rays
  • Emirates ID registration
  • Get health insurance
  • Visa stamping: Once approved, the visa will be stamped or linked to the Emirates ID
You don't have to go through all these steps with us. We'll take care of it for you.
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What documents are needed for a family visa in the UAE?

  • Passport copies of the sponsor and family.

  • Sponsor’s residence visa and Emirates ID.

  • Marriage certificate attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).

  • Attested birth certificates.

  • Ejari tenancy contract and utility bill.

  • Salary certificate or labor contract.

  • Health insurance proof.

  • Affidavit of support (for your parents). It should be attested by either the UAE embassy in the home country or the sponsor’s consulate in the UAE.

  • Ejari tenancy contract and utility bill.

Necessary documents for child visa process

For child (minor) visas, you need:

  • Child’s passport copy

  • Attested birth certificate

  • Attested marriage certificate of the parents

  • Sponsor’s residence visa and Emirates ID

  • Ejari tenancy contract

Renewal and validity

Renew your visas before they expire to avoid fines. The renewal process includes a medical test, updated insurance, and an Emirates ID renewal. If you want to cancel your visa, it will cost about AED 120. Overstaying leads to daily fines.

Family visa renewal cost in Dubai (2026)

💡 Renewing usually costs the same as the initial application — AED 4,000–6,000 per person.
The renewal process includes all the same steps as the initial application: a medical fitness test, updated health insurance, and Emirates ID renewal. Base renewal fees are set federally by ICP and are broadly the same across all emirates, though typing centre fees and insurance costs vary slightly by location.
When to renew: Start the process no later than 30 days before your family member's visa expiry date. Letting a visa lapse leads to daily overstay fines — and if the grace period (typically 30 days post-expiry) is exceeded, a fine must be paid before renewal can proceed.
💡 Tip from movingo: The most common cause of renewal delays is an expired Ejari. Check your tenancy contract validity before starting the visa renewal — if it has lapsed, renew Ejari first.

Recent updates to visa regulations

UAE legislation is constantly updated to be more flexible and convenient. As a result, submitting documents, including family visas, is becoming more and more comfortable. There are a few changes to the process of obtaining a family visa that you should be aware of:
  • Salary requirements and visa validity periods are now unified across all Emirates.
  • You can now get family visas for 1, 2, or 3 years, based on your own visa’s validity.
  • Processing times are faster — often only 2–5 working days.

1-year vs 2-year vs 3-year family visa in the UAE

Family visas in the UAE are now available for 1, 2, or 3 years, linked to the sponsor's own residence visa validity. The cost of each option differs mainly in the Emirates ID fee — all other components (medical, insurance, stamping) remain the same.
When to choose which:
  • The 2-year visa is the most popular option and suits the majority of families. It aligns with typical employment contract lengths in the UAE and gives a predictable renewal schedule.
  • The 1-year visa makes sense if the sponsor's own visa expires within 12 months, or if the family is testing whether they want to stay long-term before committing to a longer period.
  • The 3-year visa is the most cost-efficient over time (fewer renewals = lower cumulative costs) and suits families where the sponsor holds a long-term or investor visa. Golden Visa holders can now sponsor immediate family members for 5- or 10-year visas, without the standard minimum income threshold applying.

Tips from movingo for a hassle-free experience

  • Organize documents early to avoid extra costs like attestation or express fees.

  • Choose a basic health insurance plan to keep costs low.

  • Renew 30 days before expiration to avoid penalties.

  • For parents: Check if a security deposit is required and if it is refundable.

Are you struggling to keep things in order on your own? Let us help. We can organize the whole process with your paperwork so you have everything in time. Also, we can assist with your visa and visas for your team or other documents needed for working and staying in the UAE. Why don't you schedule a 15-minute call with us and see how we can assist you?
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Sources


This article is based on official UAE government sources including GDRFA Dubai, ICP, and the UAE Government Portal (u.ae), verified as of May 2026. Visa fees and requirements are subject to change — always confirm current rates with your service provider or directly with the relevant authority.
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2-year family visa in Dubai FAQ

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