UAE Golden Visa for Family: Rules, Costs, and Sponsorship Guide (2026)

The UAE Golden Visa for Family, also known as UAE Golden Visa family sponsorship, allows investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals to bring their loved ones to live with them in the United Arab Emirates under long-term residency. 

One of the most attractive features of the program is its flexibility, enabling family members to benefit from the same stability, security, and lifestyle advantages as the main applicant. 

Through this program, Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouses, children, and parents, allowing families to build a future together in global hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

UAE Golden Visa for Family: Key Takeaways

The UAE Golden Visa for Family allows holders to sponsor spouses, children, and parents for long-term residency in the UAE. 

Family members receive 5- or 10-year renewable visas, aligned with the main applicant’s residency duration. 

Sons can be sponsored up to age 25, while unmarried daughters have no age limit if dependent. 

Government fees are approximately AED 6,054 per adult and AED 5,018 per child, excluding additional costs. 

Total costs per dependent typically range from AED 6,500 to AED 15,000+, including insurance, medical tests, and Emirates ID. 

Processing time for family sponsorship is usually 2 to 6 weeks, depending on document readiness and application complexity. 

No strict minimum salary is required for family sponsorship, although some visa categories include income thresholds. 

The UAE offers a high standard of living, safety, and global connectivity, making it attractive for relocating families. 

The UAE Golden Visa for Family is a long-term residency option that allows eligible visa holders to sponsor immediate family members under the same visa framework in the United Arab Emirates. 

The UAE Golden Visa has various categories, including qualified investors, entrepreneurs, and specialized talent, who can sponsor their spouses, children, and parents for a 10-year or 5-year renewable residency.  

One of the main benefits is that family members receive the same benefits as the primary applicant, including the right to live, work, and study in the UAE. 

Compared to traditional UAE family sponsorship pathways, the Golden Visa offers greater flexibility, as eligibility is primarily based on investment, professional qualifications, or talent rather than ongoing salary thresholds for sponsoring family members. This offers much better long-term stability for families moving to the UAE. 

Golden Visa holders can sponsor various family members, including: 

• Spouse (legally married partner)  
• Children:  
  • Sons up to age 25  
  • Unmarried daughters (no age limit)  
  • Dependent children with special needs (no age limit)  
• Parents (subject to documentation and insurance requirements)  

This expanded eligibility makes the UAE Golden Visa for Family one of the most inclusive residency options globally. 

Can you sponsor domestic workers? 

Yes, Golden Visa holders can also sponsor: 

• Nannies  
• Drivers  
• Housemaids  

This is particularly useful for families relocating to the UAE with their families. Children need stability, and having familiar faces can make the transition much easier for little ones.

Family members sponsored under the Golden Visa enjoy: 

• Same visa duration: Family members of the UAE Golden Visa main applicant also get the same visa duration (5 or 10 years, renewable)  
• Freedom to live, work, and study in the UAE: Family members of Golden Visa holders are free to study, live, and work in the UAE. This supports both career development and access to education. 
• Access to world-class healthcare and education: The UAE has top-ranking universities specifically targeting global learners. Additionally, the top-tier healthcare system is a great benefit, with private medical facilities offering access to top global healthcare and modern facilities.  
• No need for a separate employer sponsor: Like the main Golden Visa applicant, family members are not required to be sponsored by an employer if they start working in the UAE.  
• Ability to remain outside the UAE without losing residency: The main applicant and their family members can stay outside the UAE for extended periods without losing their residency status.  

The UAE Golden Visa for families is generally more suited for: 

• Investors relocating with families  
• Professionals seeking long-term stability  
• Families planning education in the UAE  
• Individuals looking for a tax-efficient base  

To qualify for family sponsorship in the UAE, including Dubai, under the Golden Visa, applicants must provide the following required documents: 

• Valid passports for all family members  
• Attested marriage certificate (for spouse)  
• Birth certificates (for children)  
• Proof of medical insurance  
• Valid Golden Visa of the sponsor  

Unlike standard UAE residency visas, Golden Visa holders typically do not need to meet a strict minimum salary requirement. However, some categories, like skilled professionals, may need a minimum salary of AED 30,000.  

While the main applicant incurs the primary investment or qualification cost, sponsoring family members also incurs additional fees. 

Typical costs per dependent  

Important to note: The investment requirement for the UAE Golden Visa remains the same regardless of family size, meaning applicants can include multiple dependents without increasing the core investment threshold.  

Applying for the UAE Golden Visa for family takes place after the main applicant has secured, or is in the process of securing, their residency. While the visa application process follows standard UAE procedures, family sponsorship requires additional documentation and coordination. 

1. Step 1: Confirm eligible dependents: Identify which family members qualify, including spouse, children, and parents. 
2. Step 2: Prepare and attest documents: You will need marriage and birth certificates, passports, and proof of dependency. All documents must be attested and, where required, translated into Arabic. 
3. Step 3: Submit dependent applications: Applications are submitted through UAE authorities, including the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), along with the relevant government fees. 
4. Step 4: Complete medical and biometric checks: Adult dependents must undergo medical testing and Emirates ID biometric registration in the UAE. 
5. Step 5: Receive residence permits: Once approved, family members receive residency aligned with the main applicant’s Golden Visa, allowing them to live, work, and study in the UAE. 

Working with a trusted and experienced advisor such as Global Citizen Solutions ensures that documentation, timelines, and multiple applications are managed efficiently, particularly for families with several dependents or more complex profiles. We work alongside the top UAE Golden Visa lawyers, ensuring all applications are up to date based on  regulations.  

The timeline for the UAE Golden Visa for family depends on document readiness and the number of dependents. In most cases, family sponsorship is processed alongside or shortly after the main applicant’s visa. 

Based on typical timelines: 

• Document preparation and attestation: 1–2 weeks 
• Application submission and initial approval: 1–3 weeks 
• Medical tests and biometrics: 3–7 days 
• Residence permit and Emirates ID issuance: 5–10 working days 

Total estimated timeline: approximately 2 to 6 weeks for family members, where documentation is complete, and no additional information is required. 

For families applying together, timelines may align with the main applicant’s Golden Visa process, which typically ranges from a few weeks to three months, depending on the application category and complexity.