UAE entrepreneurs and investors can sponsor spouse, children (regardless of age under the Golden Visa), parents, and one domestic worker on their residence visa. The minimum salary requirement is AED 4,000 per month with employer-provided accommodation or AED 10,000 without for standard visas. Golden Visa holders face no minimum salary requirement for dependent sponsorship. Each dependent costs AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 in government fees. Last updated: May 2026.
For the UAE Golden Visa framework, see UAE Golden Visa requirements in 2026: who qualifies?. For the Investor Visa, see UAE Investor Visa: how to qualify and how it differs from the Golden Visa.
What dependents can a UAE visa holder sponsor?
| Dependent type | Standard Investor Visa | Golden Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Yes — AED 4,000+/month salary required | Yes — no salary minimum |
| Children (under 18) | Yes — included with spouse | Yes — no age limit |
| Children (18–25, unmarried, studying) | Yes — with proof of enrollment | Yes — no age limit |
| Children (over 25) | Not eligible | Yes — regardless of age |
| Parents | Yes — AED 20,000+/month salary or AED 1M property | Yes — no additional threshold |
| Domestic worker | Yes — AED 6,000+/month salary | Yes — 1 domestic worker included |
The Golden Visa’s most significant dependent benefit is the removal of the age cap for children. Under standard visas, children over 25 (or over 18 if male and not studying) lose eligibility. The Golden Visa sponsors children regardless of age or gender — a meaningful benefit for families with adult children.
What does dependent sponsorship cost?
| Fee component | Amount per dependent |
|---|---|
| Entry permit or status change | AED 500 to AED 1,200 |
| Medical fitness test | AED 350 to AED 500 |
| Emirates ID | AED 370 to AED 600 |
| Visa stamping | AED 500 to AED 1,000 |
| Health insurance (annual) | AED 1,500 to AED 4,000 |
| Total per dependent (year 1) | AED 3,200 to AED 7,300 |
A family of four (entrepreneur + spouse + 2 children) can expect AED 10,000 to AED 22,000 in dependent visa costs in addition to the primary applicant’s visa. Health insurance — mandatory for all residents — is the largest ongoing annual expense.
For the primary applicant’s cost breakdown, see UAE Golden Visa cost in 2026: full fee breakdown.
How does dependent sponsorship work in other GCC countries?
| Country | Dependent eligibility | Salary requirement | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Spouse, children, parents, domestic worker | AED 4,000–10,000 (standard); none (Golden Visa) | Most flexible — Golden Visa removes all age/salary caps |
| Saudi Arabia | Spouse, children under 18, parents (with approval) | SAR 4,000+/month | Dependent fee levied annually per dependent (SAR 400–800) |
| Bahrain | Spouse, children under 25 | BHD 400+/month | Golden Residency includes dependents at BHD 200 renewal |
| Qatar | Spouse, children under 18 | QAR 10,000+/month | Higher salary threshold than most GCC countries |
| Oman | Spouse, children under 21 | OMR 600+/month | Employer-sponsored housing typically required |
The UAE offers the most permissive dependent sponsorship in the GCC, particularly through the Golden Visa which eliminates salary thresholds and age limits. Saudi Arabia’s annual dependent fee adds a recurring cost not found in other GCC countries.
What documents are needed for dependent sponsorship?
Standard documentation for UAE dependent sponsorship:
- Sponsor’s passport and valid UAE residence visa
- Dependent’s passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Marriage certificate (for spouse) — attested by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Birth certificate (for children) — attested
- Sponsor’s salary certificate or trade licence (proving income threshold)
- Tenancy contract or Ejari (proving accommodation)
- Health insurance coverage for each dependent
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
All certificates from outside the UAE must be attested by the country of origin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant UAE embassy. Pre-attesting documents before arriving in the UAE saves 2 to 4 weeks.
Can dependents work in the UAE?
Spouses of UAE visa holders can obtain a work permit without the employer needing to independently sponsor them. The process involves a MOHRE application linked to the sponsor’s visa. This is a significant benefit — in most other GCC countries, dependents must obtain separate employer-sponsored work permits.
Children over 18 who are on dependent visas can work if they obtain a separate work permit through an employer. Under the Golden Visa, adult children retain dependent status regardless of employment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sponsor parents on a standard Investor Visa?
Yes, but the income threshold is high: AED 20,000 per month in salary or ownership of property worth AED 1 million or more. Golden Visa holders can sponsor parents without meeting these additional thresholds.
Does health insurance for dependents need to match the sponsor’s plan?
No. Each dependent can be on a different health insurance plan, as long as each plan meets the minimum coverage requirements set by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DOH).
Can I sponsor dependents while on a free zone visa?
Yes. Free zone investor and employee visas support dependent sponsorship through the free zone authority, subject to the same salary and documentation requirements as mainland visas.
Sources and further reading
- ICP — Dependent visa application (icp.gov.ae)
- GDRFA Dubai — Family sponsorship portal (gdrfad.gov.ae)
- Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2022 — Entry and Residence of Foreigners
- MOHRE — Spouse work permit procedures (mohre.gov.ae)