Who Can a Golden Visa Holder Sponsor?

In many cases, a UAE Golden Visa holder may apply to sponsor close family members, including:

• Spouse
• Children
• Eligible dependents, subject to authority approval

The exact requirements may depend on the emirate, your Golden Visa category, the age of each family member, current visa status, document readiness, health insurance and the approval route used.

Main Steps in the Process

The general process for sponsoring family members under a Golden Visa usually includes the following stages:

1. Confirm sponsor eligibility
2. Prepare family documents
3. Open or verify sponsor file, if required
4. Apply for entry permit or change status
5. Complete medical fitness test for applicants over 18
6. Apply for Emirates ID
7. Arrange health insurance
8. Complete the residence permit process

If the family member is outside the UAE, an entry permit may be required before completing the residence process. If the family member is already inside the UAE, a change status process may be needed instead.

Documents Usually Required for a Spouse

For a spouse application, the common documents may include:

• Passport copy
• Passport-size photo
• Marriage certificate
• Attested marriage certificate, if issued outside the UAE
• Arabic legal translation, if required
• Sponsor passport copy
• Sponsor Golden Visa copy
• Sponsor Emirates ID
• Health insurance
• Current UAE visa or entry status

Documents Usually Required for Children

For children, the common documents may include:

• Passport copy
• Passport-size photo
• Birth certificate
• Attested birth certificate, if issued outside the UAE
• Arabic legal translation, if required
• Sponsor passport copy
• Sponsor Golden Visa copy
• Sponsor Emirates ID
• Health insurance
• Current UAE visa or entry status

Sponsor File

If you are sponsoring family members for the first time, you may need to open or verify a sponsor file. This file connects you as the sponsor to the family residency applications.

In Dubai, this process is usually handled through GDRFA Dubai, Amer Centers or approved service channels. In other emirates, the process may be handled through ICP Smart Services or approved typing/service centers.

Medical Fitness and Emirates ID

Family members over the age of 18 will generally need to complete a medical fitness test before the residency process can be finalized. After that, the Emirates ID application is completed, including biometrics where required.

Children may not need the same medical fitness process, but they still require the correct residence and Emirates ID application steps.

Document Attestation

If your marriage certificate or birth certificates were issued outside the UAE, they usually need to be properly attested and, where required, translated into Arabic by a legal translator.

This is one of the most common reasons for delays. Before starting the application, make sure your family documents are valid, clear, correctly attested and accepted for UAE use.

How Long Does It Take?

Timelines vary depending on the emirate, document readiness, whether the family member is inside or outside the UAE, medical fitness appointments, Emirates ID processing and authority approval.

In many straightforward cases, the process may take several business days after all documents are ready. However, delays can happen if documents are missing, certificates are not attested correctly, names do not match across documents or additional approvals are requested.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting the application before documents are attested
• Using unclear passport scans or old photos
• Not checking whether the applicant is inside or outside the UAE
• Forgetting medical fitness for adults
• Not arranging valid health insurance
• Using inconsistent names across certificates and passports
• Assuming every case is approved automatically