Short answer: usually yes, but not automatically. The UAE Government portal says residents with a valid UAE residence visa, including employers, can sponsor their families, and sets a minimum sponsor income of AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. How a company owner shows that income is confirmed by ICP or GDRFA when you apply.
The usual order
| Step | What happens | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Company licence | Your company is formed and can sponsor visas | Visa capacity depends on your zone or mainland path |
| 2. Your own residence | Investor or partner visa, medical test, Emirates ID | You need a valid residence visa before you can sponsor |
| 3. Family residence | Entry permit or change of status, medical test for those 18 and over, Emirates ID | One application per person |
Who you can usually sponsor
According to the UAE Government portal and GDRFA Dubai, male and female residents can sponsor a spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters, and children with special needs regardless of age. Family members aged 18 and over need a medical fitness test. Family permits are linked to the sponsor's own permit, so if your visa is cancelled, theirs must be cancelled too (u.ae).
What to prepare
- Proof of relationship: marriage and birth certificates, usually attested, since GDRFA lists proof of kinship as a condition (GDRFA).
- Suitable housing: GDRFA also requires suitable housing for family members, so plan your tenancy before you apply.
- Income evidence: as a company owner, agree early how you will show income (for example, a salary from your company or other evidence ICP or GDRFA accept).
- Passports and photos for each person.
What it costs and how packages count family
Each family member is a separate residence application, and government fees are paid per person at cost. In a Lexoford package, dependants count toward the number of visas in your written scope (for example, founder + spouse = 2 visas, Business AED 4,999). Lexoford service fees are Starter AED 3,999 (licence + 1 visa), Business AED 4,999 (licence + 3 visas + Small Business Relief (SBR) eligibility check) and Premium AED 7,999 (licence + 5 visas + CT + VAT; ERP included). Free-zone and government fees are paid at cost on top. Extra visas in the same engagement are +AED 1,000 each. See how many visas to buy in year one and the cost calculator.
Lexoford coordinates the paperwork through our visa services and company formation teams. We do not guarantee approval; immigration decides. Read what we don't guarantee.
FAQ
Do I need my own residence visa before sponsoring my family?
Yes. You sponsor family as a UAE resident, so your own investor, partner or employment residence comes first. Once your visa and Emirates ID are done, family applications can start. Your family's permits stay linked to yours.
Is my spouse included free in a company package?
No. A spouse is a separate residence application with separate government fees. In a Lexoford package, a spouse counts toward the visa number in your written scope. List every family member in your quote before you pay.
Can a woman sponsor her husband and children?
Yes. GDRFA Dubai states that both male and female foreign residents can bring in family members, including a husband and children, subject to the same conditions. The income and housing rules still apply. Immigration decides each application.
Can I sponsor children over 18?
Sons under 25 and unmarried daughters, usually yes. The UAE Government portal lists sons under 25, unmarried daughters and children with special needs as eligible. Anyone 18 or over needs a medical fitness test. Other relatives follow different rules.
Can Lexoford guarantee my family's visas?
No. We prepare documents and coordinate each step, but immigration authorities decide every application. Anyone promising guaranteed family visas is overselling.