In short
A UAE resident can sponsor a wife or husband for a residence visa with a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. A resident wife can sponsor her husband under the same rule. Your spouse takes a medical fitness test (required from age 18), gives fingerprints for the Emirates ID, and the residence visa has to be completed within 60 days of entering the UAE. We prepare, submit and follow up the whole file for you.
Who can sponsor a spouse in the UAE
Any resident with a valid UAE residence visa can bring a husband or wife to live with them, as long as the salary rule is met and there is suitable housing for the family. The rule is the same for men and women: a husband can sponsor his wife, and a working wife can sponsor her husband.
The salary threshold is set by the UAE government: at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month plus accommodation. If you are close to the line, message us before you apply and we will check how your salary and housing are shown on your papers.
Spouse visa requirements
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Sponsor salary | At least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation |
| Who sponsors | A resident husband for his wife, or a resident wife for her husband |
| Marriage certificate | Copy of the marriage certificate, attested |
| Sponsor documents | Passport copy, residence visa copy, Emirates ID copy and Ejari |
| Spouse documents | Passport copy and a passport-size photo with a white background |
| Extra documents | CNIC copy for Pakistani nationals; visit visa or cancellation copy if your spouse is already in the UAE |
| Medical test | Required for every applicant aged 18 or over |
| Fingerprints | Taken for the Emirates ID (required from age 15) |
| Deadline | Residence completed within 60 days of entry |
How to apply for a spouse visa, step by step
- Free check. Send us your documents on WhatsApp. We confirm your salary meets the rule and that the marriage certificate is attested.
- Opening the file. We prepare and submit the sponsorship file in your name.
- E-visa. The entry permit is issued for your spouse. From abroad, they travel to the UAE on it.
- Status change. If your spouse is already in the UAE on a visit visa, we change their status inside the country, so there is no need to exit.
- Emirates ID. We submit the Emirates ID application and book the fingerprint appointment.
- Medical test. Your spouse completes the medical fitness test at an approved centre.
- Stamping. The residence visa is issued and your spouse is a UAE resident.
Spouse visa timeline
The clock that matters is the 60-day window. It starts when your spouse enters the UAE on the e-visa, and everything after entry has to be finished inside it.
| 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 |
| Emirates ID fingerprints and medical test | Inside the 60 days |
| Residence visa stamped | Before the 60 days run out |
Government processing times vary from case to case, so we give you a realistic plan for your file before you apply and book the appointments early.
Sponsoring your children as well
Most couples add their children to the same file. Our child visa page explains who can be sponsored, the family visa page covers the whole family in one application, and a baby born in the UAE follows the newborn baby visa route.
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
What salary do I need to sponsor my wife in Dubai?
UAE rules ask for a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. The same threshold applies whichever spouse is the sponsor.
Can a wife sponsor her husband in the UAE?
Yes. A resident wife who meets the salary rule can sponsor her husband. The salary, housing and document rules are the same, including an attested marriage certificate. In Dubai, GDRFA also lists a no-objection letter from the father when the wife is the sponsor; we tell you if your file needs one.
Does my spouse need a medical test?
Yes. Everyone aged 18 or over who is sponsored for residence takes a medical fitness test at an approved centre in the UAE.
Does my spouse need to give fingerprints?
Yes. Fingerprints are taken for the Emirates ID from age 15, so every spouse attends a biometrics appointment.
How long does my spouse have after entering the UAE?
The residence visa has to be completed within 60 days of entry on the e-visa. We plan the medical test and Emirates ID appointments so the file finishes in time.
Can my spouse apply while in the UAE on a visit visa?
Yes. We add a status change after the e-visa, so your spouse does not need to leave the country. Send us the visit visa copy with the other documents.
How much does a spouse visa cost?
Government fees change, so we do not publish a fixed price. Message us on WhatsApp and we will give you the current cost for your case before you apply.