Visa Services

Bringing your family to the UAE is one of the most important steps you can take, and one of the most paperwork-intensive. Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, a child under 18 or a parent, the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) has a strict document checklist. Missing a single attested paper can delay your application by weeks.

Who Can Sponsor Family Members in the UAE?

UAE residents earning a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation) can sponsor a spouse and children. A higher salary threshold applies for sponsoring parents. Your employer category and visa type also affect eligibility.

Core Document Checklist

The following documents are required for most family visa applications:

• Original marriage certificate (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country, UAE Embassy, and UAE MOFA)
• Sponsor's passport copy (clear scan, all pages)
• Sponsor's UAE residence visa copy
• Emirates ID copy of the sponsor
• Sponsor's salary certificate or employment letter on company letterhead
• Tenancy contract (Ejari) showing the rental property in Dubai, or utility bills for other Emirates
• Passport copies of each dependent (minimum 6 months validity)
• Passport-size photographs (white background, recent)

Additional Documents for Children

• Original birth certificate (attested through the full chain: country of origin → UAE Embassy → UAE MOFA)
• For children above 15: medical fitness certificate from an ICP-approved clinic
• School enrolment letter (if applicable)

Why Attestation Matters

The UAE will not accept foreign documents at face value. Every personal document, birth certificate, marriage certificate, educational degree, must pass through a chain of authentication:

1. Notarization or certification in the issuing country
2. Authentication by the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. Authentication by the UAE Embassy in that country
4. Final stamp by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

For countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention, an Apostille stamp replaces steps 2–3. The UAE recognizes Apostille as of November 2021.

Certified Arabic Translation

All documents issued in a language other than Arabic must be accompanied by a certified Arabic translation. The translator must be accredited by the UAE Ministry of Justice. Clear Docs provides Ministry of Justice-accredited translation for over 30 languages, delivered with the legal seal required by government offices.

How Long Does It Take?

Attestation timelines vary by country. Documents from India, Pakistan, Philippines and Egypt typically take 2–4 weeks through the standard channel. Express services are available for an additional fee. Once all papers are ready, the ICA application itself usually processes within 3–5 working days.

How Clear Docs Can Help

We manage the entire process for you, from reviewing your documents and identifying what needs attestation to translating, submitting to MOFA and coordinating with the relevant embassies. One point of contact from start to finish, with transparent pricing and clear timelines. Contact us today to get a free quote for your family visa document package.