"So hindi na 10k? 4k pwede na ulit?" So it's not 10k any more? 4k is OK again? It's a common source of confusion, because the UAE's family visa rules have changed over the years and old figures keep circulating. Here's where things stand.
The salary rule
According to the UAE government's official portal, an employee with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor their family if they earn at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month plus accommodation provided by the employer.
Job title no longer matters. Under older rules, only certain professions could sponsor their families. Now it's based on salary.
Where does "10k" come from? Higher figures apply in other situations, such as sponsoring a larger family or, in some emirates, a mother sponsoring on her own. They aren't the standard threshold for an employee sponsoring their children.
Which children you can sponsor
- Sons up to 25 years old. This was raised from 18 in 2022.
- Unmarried daughters, with no age limit.
- Children with special needs (children of determination), with no age limit.
If you're a mother
The general rule is written around the sponsoring parent's salary, but mothers sponsoring their children may face extra conditions depending on the emirate, such as a higher salary or special approval. If you're the sponsoring parent and a woman, check with the immigration authority in your emirate before you apply: ICP for most emirates, or GDRFA in Dubai.
What to prepare
From you, the sponsor:
- your passport, residence visa and Emirates ID
- a salary certificate from your employer, or your employment contract
- proof of accommodation, usually a tenancy contract
For each child:
- passport, valid for at least six months
- birth certificate, attested by the Philippine authorities and the UAE embassy, then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- passport-sized photos
How it works
- Apply for an entry permit for your child through ICP or GDRFA Dubai, online or at a typing centre.
- Your child enters the UAE on that permit, or changes status if they're already in the country.
- Within 60 days of entry, apply for their residence visa, including health insurance and, where required, a medical test.
- Get their Emirates ID.
Your child's visa is linked to yours. If you change jobs or your visa is cancelled, theirs has to be transferred or cancelled too. Our guide to cancelling a UAE residence visa explains how that works.
Two tips before you start
- Get the birth certificate attested early. It's the step that most often holds things up, and it has to be done in the Philippines.
- Ask your employer for the salary certificate in writing, showing your full monthly salary and whether accommodation is provided.
Rules and requirements change. Check u.ae, ICP or GDRFA Dubai before applying.
Sources
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Government rules and rates change; confirm current figures with the official agency before acting.