Family visit visa for Dubai: requirements and guide

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Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations in the world, not only for tourism but also for work and business. With its modern lifestyle, strong economy, and cultural diversity, thousands of expatriates live and work here. Naturally, many of them want their family members to visit them and spend some quality time together. For this purpose, the UAE government allows expatriates to apply for a family visit visa Dubai.

A family visit visa is a type of UAE visit visa that allows relatives to come and stay in the country for a limited time. Depending on the requirement, families can apply for a short term UAE visa or a long term UAE visa. The process is straightforward if you understand the rules, required documents, and eligibility.

What is Family Visit Visa Dubai?

A family visit visa is a temporary visa that allows foreign relatives of a UAE resident to visit and stay in the country for the period fixed under the visa. This is different from a residence visa that allows permanent stay. The family visit visa is only limited to visits, holidays, or temporary stays.

The duration of validity of this visa could be as short as 30 days or as long as 90 days. Multiple entry options may also be available in some cases. It is usually used by expatriates living and working in Dubai who want their spouse, children, parents, or close relatives to come over and spend some time with them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Checking Passport Validity: Make sure the visitor’s passport bears at least six months’ validity.
Missing Attestation: Marriage or birth certificates must sometimes be attested by the concerned authorities.
Applying Through Unverified Agents: Never use any other than official government portals or centers approved for the same purpose, or you will be the object of a scam.
Choice of Wrong Type of Visa: If your family is intending to stay for three months, then do not apply for a 30-day visa just thinking it can be extended.

Types of UAE Visit Visas

When deciding on a family visit visa, you would notice that the UAE in fact issues different types of visit visas. Some of the more common ones are:

1. Short Term UAE Visa

Normally valid for 30 days.
It can have single or multiple entries.
In the case of single entry, the visitor can enter Dubai once for the duration of 30 days. Should the visitor exit the country, the visa becomes invalid.
In the multiple entry scenario, the visitor can come and go as many times as he wants during the visa period as long as the duration of stay does not exceed the validity.
This became apt for short family visits, tourism, or if somebody is just interested in spending one month in Dubai.

2. Long Term UAE Visa

The visa is basically granted for 90 days.
It can either be single or multiple entries, just like the short-term one.
This usually fits family longer holidays, or if you want your parents or spouse to reside with you for an extended period.

Besides all these, U.A.E also has the provision of a 5-year multiple entry visit visa through which families can enter multiple times within five years but stay only for 90 days each time. However, this is more applicable for leisure and business trips.

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Who Can Apply for Family Visit Visa?

Application for the Dubai family visit visa is done by the resident sponsor. To be a sponsor, you are required to:

Legally reside in UAE with a legal residence visa.
Have in hand a minimum salary fixed by the UAE Government. It is generally AED 4,000 per month or AED 3,000 plus accommodation charges.
Hold valid evidence of relationship with the visitor (in the case of a spouse, a marriage certificate is required; for a child, a birth certificate).
Have a valid Emirates ID along with the residence permit.

There are some conditions to be fulfilled by the visitor too, such as the possession of a valid passport (the passport should be valid for at least six months) and passport-size photographs to be given.

Documents Required for Family Visit Visa Dubai

While applying for a UAE visit visa for his family, he has to have these documents ready:

1. For the Visitor

Passport Copy: The passport should be valid for at least six months.
For the Visitor: Photograph – Also known as a passport-sized photograph or a visa photo. It has to be recent, in color, and with a white background.

2. The Sponsor:

Passport Copy: Including residence visa page.
The Sponsor: A copy of Emirates ID.
Proof of Relationship: Considering the proof of relationship, a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or some other official papers may be presented. Usually, all these require attestation.
Salary Certificate or Employment Contract: Evidence of income meeting the requirement.
Bank Statements, if Required: Some authorities may ask for recent financial proofs.

Complete preparation of the file shall always make for a smoother processing, thus avoiding rejection or any delay.

Can You Extend Family Visit Visa?

In some events, the UAE visit or tourist visa may be extended. For instance, a 30-day uae visa is normally extended for another 30 days simply on payment of additional fees; further extensions might also be possible for a 90-day visa depending on the laws at that time. However, all types of visas are not extendable, particularly the short-term single-entry ones. Do confirm well before applying if you feel that your family may need extended time in Dubai.

Recent Developments of Family Visit Visas

With aim to facilitating family visit, the UAE government with a number of times have been made updates to visa policies. Some of the recent updates include:

A 90-day visa can somehow be issued without a sponsor under certain circumstances.
Salary requirements for sponsors have been made explicit and enforced.
The long-term option including the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa has become available.
Increasingly thorough checks are being installed on fake advertisements for visas and their illegal services. Meanwhile, applicants are being strongly advised to avail of official channels only.

Why Choose Short Term vs Long Term Visa?

Short-term UAE visa, or long-term UAE visa, this decision depends on plans for your family.
While a family requires only a short holiday or to just attend a function, a 30-day visa will do.
If you are willing to host them for longer periods, say your parents coming down for a three-month stay: then 90 days should be the correct one.
Multiple entry visas are the best economic option if you expect frequent visits, but not a continuous stay.

Conclusion

Family visit Visa Dubai is arguably one of the greatest options for those expatriates who reside in the UAE and want to spend time with their loved ones. Be it a short-term 30-day UAE visa or a long-term 90-day UAE visa, the procedure is quite simple provided you have been armed with the right documents and have chosen the right channels for your application.

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