Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security have laid out clear salary thresholds for residents who want to sponsor family members, according to details reported on October 8, 2026.
To sponsor a spouse or children, applicants need a minimum monthly salary of Dh3,000 if their employer provides accommodation, or Dh4,000 if it does not. Eligible dependents include a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under the age of 25, and children with special needs regardless of age. Sponsoring parents requires a significantly higher salary threshold of Dh10,000 per month.
Authorities confirmed that women can sponsor family members under the same salary conditions as men, though divorced applicants may need to submit additional documentation, such as proof of custody.
Beyond meeting the income requirement, sponsors must hold a valid UAE residence permit, demonstrate suitable accommodation, and provide a full set of attested documents, including marriage and birth certificates, an employment contract, and health insurance coverage. Dependents over the age of 18 are generally required to undergo a medical fitness examination before approval.
The clarified thresholds give residents in Dubai a concrete reference point when planning to bring close family members to the UAE, reducing uncertainty during the application process and helping families budget and prepare documentation well in advance of submitting a sponsorship request to the authorities.