In short
UAE residents can sponsor sons under 25, unmarried daughters and children with special needs, with a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Children aged 15 and over give fingerprints for the Emirates ID, those aged 18 and over take a medical test, and the residence visa has to be completed within 60 days of entry. A baby born in the UAE follows the newborn visa route instead.
Which children can you sponsor?
UAE rules let a resident sponsor three groups of children: sons under 25, unmarried daughters and children with special needs. The age limit of 25 applies to sons; for daughters, the condition is that they are unmarried; and for a child with special needs, ICP accepts documents proving the condition regardless of age.
The sponsor needs a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month plus accommodation. Either parent can be the sponsor. In Dubai, GDRFA lists a no-objection letter from the father when the wife is the sponsor.
Child visa requirements
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Sons | Under 25 years old |
| Daughters | Unmarried |
| Children with special needs | Eligible regardless of age, with documents proving the special needs |
| Sponsor salary | At least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation |
| Sponsor documents | Passport copy, residence visa copy, Emirates ID copy and Ejari |
| Child documents | Child's passport copy, attested birth certificate and a white-background passport photo |
| Extra documents | Father's no-objection letter if the mother is the sponsor (GDRFA Dubai); CNIC copy for Pakistani nationals; visit visa or cancellation copy if the child is already in the UAE |
| Fingerprints | Required from age 15 for the Emirates ID |
| Medical test | Required from age 18 |
| Deadline | Residence completed within 60 days of entry |
How to apply for a child visa, step by step
- Free check. Send us your documents on WhatsApp. We confirm each child is eligible, your salary meets the rule and the birth certificate is attested.
- Opening the file. We prepare and submit the sponsorship file, one application per child.
- E-visa. The entry permit is issued. Children abroad travel to the UAE on it.
- Status change. Children already in the UAE on a visit visa change status inside the country, with no exit.
- Emirates ID. We apply for the Emirates ID. Children aged 15 and over attend the fingerprint appointment.
- Medical test. Sons and daughters aged 18 and over complete the medical fitness test; younger children skip this step.
- Stamping. The residence visa is issued.
Child visa timeline
As with every family residence visa, the deadline to watch is 60 days from the day your child enters the UAE on the e-visa.
| Stage | When it happens |
|---|---|
| File opening and e-visa | First, once your documents are complete |
| Entry to the UAE on the e-visa | Day 0: the 60-day window starts |
| Already in the UAE on a visit visa | Status change inside the country; we check the dates on your permit |
| Fingerprints (15+) and medical test (18+) | Inside the 60 days |
| Residence visa stamped | Before the 60 days run out |
Processing times differ from case to case. With several children on one sponsor, we line up the appointments so the whole family finishes inside the window.
Newborns, spouses and the whole family
A baby born in the UAE has its own process: see our newborn baby visa page. To bring your husband or wife as well, read the spouse visa page, or apply for everyone together through our family visa service.
Ready to start? Send your documents on WhatsApp to +971 52 505 3494. We check them before anything is submitted, and the first consultation is free.
Frequently asked questions
Up to what age can I sponsor my son in the UAE?
Sons can be sponsored while they are under 25. A son with special needs is not held to that limit: ICP accepts documents proving special needs regardless of age.
Can I sponsor my daughter after she turns 25?
Yes. The under-25 limit in the rule is for sons. Daughters can be sponsored while they are unmarried.
Can I sponsor a child with special needs?
Yes. Children with special needs are an eligible group of their own under UAE rules, and ICP accepts documents proving the condition regardless of age. We review your child's documents first and tell you exactly what the file needs.
Does my child need a medical test?
Only from age 18. Children under 18 skip the medical fitness test; older sons and daughters take it at an approved centre.
Does my child need to give fingerprints?
Yes, from age 15. Fingerprints and a signature are taken for the Emirates ID; younger children do not attend.
Can the mother sponsor the children?
Yes, when she meets the salary rule (AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation). In Dubai, GDRFA lists a no-objection letter from the father when the wife is the sponsor.
How long do we have after my child enters the UAE?
The residence visa has to be completed within 60 days of entry on the e-visa.
My baby was born in the UAE. Is this the right visa?
A baby born in the UAE follows the newborn process instead. See our Newborn Baby Visa page for the steps.