How to Obtain a Family Visit Visa for Your Relatives in Dubai?
Are you planning to invite a family member to visit Dubai? If you want to ensure their experience starts in the best way possible, understanding how to apply for a visitor visa is a crucial first step.
In this article, we will guide you step-by-step through the entire process of obtaining a visitor visa for your family members. From the required documents to essential tips that make the process smoother, prepare to welcome your loved ones to Dubai, a destination uniquely blending tradition with modernity.
Overview of the Family Visit Visa in the UAE
The UAE family visit visa provides an ideal opportunity for relatives or friends of UAE residents to apply for a single-entry visa aimed at visiting a family member or friend. This service is available without the need for a sponsor or host within the country and is granted for 30, 60, or 90 days, facilitating a comfortable and secure stay for visitors in the UAE.
What Are the Types of Family Visit Visas in the UAE?
Family visit visas in the United Arab Emirates come in several options varying in the allowed duration of stay. These visas include a short-term visa for a 30-day stay, a medium-term visa extending to 60 days, and a long-term visa lasting up to 90 days. It is important for visitors to regularly check the validity of their visas to avoid any potential legal issues. Additionally, transit visas and multiple-entry visas are available.
For tourists wishing to extend their stay, the family visa, whether short or long-term, can be extended for an additional 30 days, up to two times without the need to leave the country.
Required Documents for Issuing a Family Visit Visa in the UAE
To obtain a visit visa for your relatives or friends in the UAE, you will need to present a set of essential documents. These documents include:
- A recent personal photograph.
- A valid passport copy with at least six months of validity.
- A copy of the marriage certificate, if the visit is for a spouse.
- A birth certificate to confirm family relationships.
- A salary certificate from government or semi-government institutions or free zones, a private sector employment contract, or a partnership contract if the visitor is a business partner.
- An identity card from the country of origin for specific nationalities such as Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Ensure all required documents are available and verified before applying to ensure a smooth visa acquisition process.
Ways to Apply for a Family Visit Visa to the UAE
Applying for a family visit visa to the UAE can be done through several channels. Below, we detail the steps involved in each channel:
1. Online Channels
- Visas can be obtained via the official website or smart app of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. The steps include:
- Logging in using a digital identity or username.
- Selecting the service to issue a visit visa for a relative or friend.
- Completing the necessary data for the application.
- Paying the required fees.
2. Customer Happiness Centers
- These centers provide services for issuing visas, and the steps are:
- Go to the nearest Customer Happiness Center.
- Take a waiting ticket and wait your turn.
- Apply along with all required documents and conditions.
- Pay the necessary fees.
3. Amer Service Centers in Dubai
- To apply through Amer centers, the following steps should be followed:
- Visit the nearest Amer center.
- Take a ticket and wait your turn.
- Submit the application, ensuring all conditions and documents are met.
- Pay the service fee.
Costs of Issuing a Family Visit Visa in the UAE
When applying for a family visit visa to the UAE, applicants should be aware of the required fees, which vary depending on the desired duration of stay. Here is a breakdown of the approved fees:
- Visit Visa Fees:
- For 30 days: AED 200.
- For 60 days: AED 300.
- For 90 days: AED 400. A 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) is added to all fees.
- Security Deposit Fees:
- Security deposit amount: AED 1,000.
- Security service fee: AED 20.
- Fee for collection and refund of the security deposit: AED 40.
- Health Insurance Fees:
- For a 30-day visit visa: AED 40.
- For a 60-day visit visa: AED 60.
- For a 90-day visit visa: AED 90.
- Additional Fees for Applicants Inside the Country:
- Knowledge Dirham: AED 10.
- Innovation Dirham: AED 10.
- Fee for in-country application submission: AED 500.
Applicants are advised to review the fees periodically as they may change based on various factors related to the sponsor or other reasons.
Criteria and Conditions for Applying for a Family Visit Visa in the UAE
When applying for a family visit to the UAE, prospective visitors must meet a set of conditions and requirements:
- Relationship with the Host: The visitor must be either a relative or a friend of a citizen or a foreign resident in the UAE.
- Proof of Relationship or Reason for Visit: It is essential to provide documents proving the familial relationship or justified reasons for the visit.
- Financial Guarantee: Applicants must meet financial conditions to cover the duration of the stay.
- Wife Visiting Her Husband: If the visit's purpose is for a foreign wife to visit her husband, who is a citizen of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, it is required that the wife has a valid residence in the country of the husband's nationality.
These conditions provide sufficient guarantees to regulate family visits and ensure smooth legal and administrative procedures during the stay in the UAE.
In conclusion, the above information highlights key details about the family visit visa in Dubai city. For those interested in investing or buying property in Dubai, DAMAC Properties offers a wide range of luxurious properties. You can view them through:
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Frequently Asked Questions FAQs About Family Visit Visa in Dubai
Here are the most common questions about family visit visas in Dubai, with detailed answers for each:
What are the available service channels for issuing a family visit visa?
The service is available through the website or smart app, allowing applications 24/7. Applications can also be made through Amer centers during regular business hours.
How can I sponsor my relative in Dubai?
To sponsor a relative in Dubai, there are specific financial and health requirements that must be met by the sponsor. Firstly, the sponsor needs to demonstrate a minimum salary threshold: either AED 4,000 without accommodation or AED 3,000 with provided accommodation. This financial requirement ensures that the sponsor is capable of supporting the visiting family member during their stay.
In addition to meeting financial criteria, family members aged 18 and above who are being sponsored must pass medical fitness tests. These tests are conducted at designated health centers across the UAE, which are officially approved for this purpose. The tests are designed to confirm the medical fitness of the visiting relatives to ensure public health safety.
These requirements are part of the UAE's regulations to manage the residency and visitation rights of foreigners in the country, ensuring that all sponsored individuals are supported adequately and are healthy to stay in the UAE. For further details and the process of applying for family sponsorship, it is advisable to consult the official UAE government portals or visit the nearest immigration office.
What other services might interest those applying for a family visit visa?
Besides the visit visa service, residents in the UAE should check out the “Twajudi" service, which facilitates their return home in cases of crises and emergencies. Additionally, you can learn about the Golden Residence system, which offers long-term residency for 5 or 10 years under specific conditions. It's also important to understand the difference between an entry permit and a residency visa. Furthermore, those interested in procedures for family reunification for students can find out about this option in the UAE.
Can a family visit visa in the UAE be extended?
Yes, a family visit visa in the UAE can be extended. Extension requests must be submitted before the current visa expires, and it can be extended twice for 30 days each time without needing to leave the country. An extension fee is required along with supporting documents.
What documents are needed to apply for a family visit visa?
The necessary documents include:
- A valid passport for the visitor.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of family relationship, such as birth certificates or marriage certificates.
- Bank statements showing the financial capacity of the host.
- An invitation letter from the host residing in the UAE.
Which nationalities do not need a visit visa to enter the UAE?
Citizens from Gulf Cooperation Council countries do not need a visa to enter the UAE. Additionally, several countries have visa exemption agreements for limited periods, such as EU countries, the United States, and Canada, where citizens can obtain a visa on arrival.
How can one apply for a family visit visa from outside the UAE?
Individuals residing outside the UAE can apply for a family visit visa through electronic channels like the official government websites or through UAE consulates and embassies in their countries. The process involves filling out the form, submitting the necessary documents, and paying the associated fees.
Do children need their own family visit visa?
Yes, children need their own visit visas to enter the UAE. A birth certificate or other document proving the relationship with the host in the UAE must be submitted. If traveling without parents, a consent letter from the parents or legal guardian is recommended.
Is health insurance required for obtaining a family visit visa in Dubai?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory for all visitors applying for a family visit visa to Dubai. Applicants must provide proof of adequate health insurance coverage that is valid for the duration of their stay in the UAE. This ensures that visitors are covered in case of any medical emergencies during their visit.
Can family visit visas be converted to residency visas in Dubai?
While a family visit visa itself cannot be directly converted into a residency visa, visitors can apply for a residency visa after entering Dubai if they meet the necessary criteria and conditions set by the UAE government. This typically requires a different application process and the sponsorship of an employer or a family member who is a resident.
What are the penalties for overstaying a family visit visa in Dubai?
Overstaying a family visit visa in Dubai incurs fines. For each day of overstaying, there is a charge that accumulates until the visitor either adjusts their visa status or departs from the UAE. Prompt action is advised to avoid accumulating high penalties.
How can I get family visa in Dubai?
To obtain a family visa in Dubai, you must provide several key documents during the application process to verify eligibility and compliance with UAE regulations. Required documentation includes:
- Passport-sized photographs of each family member you wish to sponsor.
- A medical clearance certificate for every family member aged 18 or older. This certificate must be obtained from an authorized medical facility in the UAE to ensure that the sponsored family members meet health standards set by the government.
- A copy of the employment or company contract of the sponsor. This document serves as proof of the sponsor’s employment status and role within the company.
- Documentation verifying the sponsor's monthly income to demonstrate financial stability and capability to support the family members during their stay in the UAE.
These documents are essential for processing the family visa application and must be submitted following the specific guidelines provided by the Dubai immigration authorities. It’s recommended to regularly check for any updates or changes in the visa application process on the official UAE immigration website or contact a visa processing center directly for personalized assistance.
Are there any specific entry points in the UAE where the family visit visa is not valid?
Family visit visas are generally valid at all entry points in the UAE, including airports, seaports, and land borders. It's important to ensure that the visa is properly processed and accepted for entry at the desired point to avoid any issues upon arrival.
How can I check the status of my family visit visa application for Dubai?
The status of a family visit visa application can be checked online through the official portal of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or through the smart app used for the application process. Applicants will need their application reference number to track the status.
What should I do if my family visit visa application is denied?
If a family visit visa application is denied, the reasons for the denial are usually provided. Applicants can address these issues and reapply or appeal the decision, depending on the circumstances. Consulting with a visa expert or the UAE embassy can provide further guidance.
