Sponsoring your spouse, children or parents is one of the most rewarding applications we handle. It is also one of the most document-heavy, and most delays come from a single missing paper. This is the checklist we give our family visa clients.
The documents
- Applicant's passport copy. The family member you are sponsoring. Make sure it has plenty of validity left.
- Passport-size photo of the applicant, on a white background.
- Sponsor details. Your Emirates ID (front and back) and passport copy. Check the expiry dates before anything else.
- Birth certificate. Certificates issued outside the UAE usually need attestation in the issuing country and then in the UAE.
- Applicant's current visa, if they are already in the UAE.
Attestation takes the longest, so begin with the certificates while you collect everything else. Depending on your case, our team may ask for one or two more papers.
Inside or outside the UAE?
If your family member is already in the UAE, we can usually apply from inside the country. If they are abroad, we apply for an entry permit first and complete the residence visa after they arrive. Either way, the process typically takes about 2 weeks once the documents are complete.
Send us photos of what you already have and we will tell you exactly what is missing.