Key takeaways
- Any resident, man or woman, can sponsor their family: a husband or wife, sons under 25, unmarried daughters of any age, and children with special needs of any age (Regulation Art. 54).
- Green residence holders can also bring first-degree relatives, which includes their parents (Art. 54).
- A family member’s residence can never last longer than the sponsor’s own (Art. 54(3)).
- Four conditions apply: the sponsor holds a residence, is financially able, provides adequate housing, and proves the relationship. The ICP Chairman sets the detailed controls, such as the salary figure (Art. 55).
- A baby born in the UAE needs identity documents and a residence within 4 months of birth, or a daily fine applies. The ICP Chairman can waive all or part of that fine (Decree-Law Arts. 12 and 13).
- Special rules protect foreign family members of UAE citizens, including a 5-year residence and a residence for a foreign mother after divorce or widowhood (Arts. 56 to 58).
This chapter explains the articles that let residents bring their families to the UAE, the special rules for the foreign families of UAE and GCC citizens, and the deadline for newborns. Each article is quoted from the official text and explained in simple words.
This page explains what the law says. For fees, documents and how to apply, go to: Family residence visa service · Family visa salary requirement · Son and daughter age limits.
Sponsoring your family
The right to bring your family
Federal Decree-Law 29/2021
“An Foreigner who has obtained a residence permit in the State may bring in his family members”Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 9
In plain English
The law itself gives every foreign resident the right to bring their family to live with them. The Executive Regulation sets out who counts as family and the conditions, which are the articles below.
The right comes with your residence. Your own residence must be valid first, then your family’s residence follows it.
Who counts as family: spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Foreigner residing in the State (male or female) may bring in his family members, including the husband and children who have not reached (25) twenty-five, or unmarried daughters. Children with special needs regardless of age”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 54(1)
In plain English
- Any resident, male or female, can sponsor:
- their husband or wife;
- sons who have not yet turned 25;
- unmarried daughters, of any age;
- children with special needs, of any age, under the ICP Chairman’s rules.
- A resident with a Green residence can also bring their first-degree relatives (such as parents).
- Family members get a residence for the same period as the sponsor, and it can never last longer than the sponsor’s own residence.
Example
Nadia, a resident, sponsors her husband and their two children. Her own residence expires in 14 months, so their residences can run for 14 months at most. When she renews, she renews theirs too.
Sons approaching 25 need their own residence (through work or study) before their birthday. See our guide to the son and daughter age limits and our family residence visa service.
The four conditions to sponsor family
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The ICA Chairman shall issue a resolution on the controls regulating the requirements contained in this Article.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 55
In plain English
To sponsor family, all four are needed:
- The sponsor holds a UAE residence permit.
- The sponsor is financially able to support the family.
- The sponsor provides adequate housing for the family.
- Proof of the relationship, such as attested marriage and birth certificates.
The Regulation does not name a salary figure. It leaves the detailed controls to a decision of the ICP Chairman. ICP’s service card today asks for a monthly income of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus housing provided by the employer.
Example
Karim earns AED 5,500 a month and rents a one-bedroom flat in his own name. He meets the income test and has adequate housing for himself, his wife and their baby. He attests his marriage and birth certificates, and applies.
No official rule bans studios; the test is housing adequate for the family. Test your file in a minute with our family visa eligibility checker, or read our family visa salary requirement guide.
Foreign family members of UAE and GCC citizens
Foreign parents, children and spouses of UAE citizens: 5 years
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“may be granted Non-Working Residence Permit for a period of (5) five years”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 56
In plain English
The parents, children and husband or wife of a UAE citizen who hold foreign passports can get a 5-year non-work residence, sponsored by the Emirati family member. The detailed conditions are set by the ICP Chairman.
This is longer than the standard 2-year family residence. Emirati sponsors should ask for the 5-year permit.
Foreign wives and children of GCC citizens
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“the Guarantor/The Host Party shall be the spouse”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 57
In plain English
The foreign spouse and children of a citizen of another GCC country can get a non-work residence, sponsored by the spouse, if:
- They hold residence in the GCC citizen’s home country.
- The sponsor is financially able.
- The sponsor provides adequate housing.
- The relationship is proved.
GCC families moving to the UAE should prepare the same kind of proof as resident families: income, housing and attested certificates.
A foreign mother widowed or divorced by an Emirati husband
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The wife of a citizen whose husband has died or divorced her may be granted Non-Working Residence Permit, on condition that she had one child or more”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 58
In plain English
If a foreign woman’s Emirati husband dies or divorces her, she can keep living in the UAE on a non-work residence, as long as she has at least one child with him.
This protects mothers of Emirati children. If this applies to you, we can help you move to the right residence without losing time in the grace period.
Newborns
A baby born in the UAE: 4 months
Federal Decree-Law 29/2021
“If an Foreigner has a new-born in the State, he must do the following within four (4) months as of the date of birth”Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 12
In plain English
Within 4 months of a baby’s birth, the parents must:
- Get the baby’s identity documents (usually a passport) from their home country.
- Get the baby a UAE residence.
If they do not, a fine applies for every day after the 4 months. The amount is set by the Cabinet; ICP’s published schedule today is AED 50 a day. The Regulation (Article 6) adds that, instead of a residence, the baby can leave the UAE within the 4 months.
Example
Baby Zara is born on 10 January. Her parents must have her passport and residence by 10 May. If the embassy takes until June, every day after 10 May costs AED 50 until her residence is done.
Apply for the home-country passport in the first week; it is almost always the slowest step. Our newborn baby visa service handles the UAE side, and our deadline planner gives you the exact date.
Waiving the fine
Federal Decree-Law 29/2021
“The Chairman or his authorised representative may decide to exempt from all or part of the fine stipulated in Articles (11) and (12)”Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 13
In plain English
The ICP Chairman, or someone he authorises, can cancel all or part of two fines: the overstay fine (Article 11) and the newborn fine (Article 12).
A waiver is a decision, not a right. If there is a real reason for the delay, such as an embassy delay or a medical emergency, keep the evidence and apply for an exemption. Our fine waiver and amnesty guide explains how.
Quick reference
| Who | Rule | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Husband or wife | Can be sponsored by a male or female resident | Reg. 54(1) |
| Sons | Until they turn 25 | Reg. 54(1) |
| Daughters | While unmarried, any age | Reg. 54(1) |
| Children with special needs | Any age | Reg. 54(1) |
| Parents and other first-degree relatives | Green residence holders | Reg. 54(2) |
| Family residence period | Same as the sponsor’s, never longer | Reg. 54(3) |
| Conditions | Residence, solvency, adequate housing, proof of kinship | Reg. 55 |
| Foreign family of UAE citizens | 5-year non-work residence | Reg. 56 |
| Newborn | Documents and residence within 4 months | Decree-Law 12; Reg. 6 |
UAE family sponsorship law: frequently asked questions
Until what age can I sponsor my son in the UAE?
Until he turns 25. Unmarried daughters can be sponsored at any age, and children with special needs regardless of age (Article 54 of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022).
Can a woman sponsor her husband and children in the UAE?
Yes. Article 54 says a foreign resident “male or female” may bring in family members, including the husband and children.
What salary do I need to sponsor my family in the UAE?
The Regulation requires financial solvency and leaves the figure to the ICP Chairman (Article 55). ICP’s service card asks for a monthly income of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided housing.
Can I sponsor my parents in the UAE?
Green residence holders can bring first-degree relatives under Article 54(2). Other residents follow the specific parents’ route set by the authorities; in Dubai, GDRFA places parents under its humanitarian residence service.
How long can my family’s residence visa be valid?
For the same period as your own residence, and never longer (Article 54(3)).
Can the newborn overstay fine be waived?
Yes. Article 13 of the Decree-Law lets the ICP Chairman or an authorised official exempt all or part of the newborn fine and the overstay fine.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Articles 9, 12 and 13 (UAE Legislation portal)
- Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Articles 6 and 54 to 58 (UAE Legislation portal)
- ICP: Issuing Residency Permit (family income and housing)
- GDRFA Dubai: Humanitarian residence (parents)
- ICP: Violations and fines (AED 50 a day, including newborn registration)
Please note. Quotes are from the official English translation on the UAE Legislation portal, checked on 30 September 2026; the Arabic text in the Official Gazette prevails. Income figures and fines are set by ICP and Cabinet decisions and can change. Examples use invented names and are illustrative. This page is general information, not legal advice; the decision of ICP or GDRFA on your own file is final.
