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, expatriate residents can sponsor a spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters, and children with special needs. The portal also states that Green visa holders can sponsor first-degree relatives. Family members aged 18 and over need a medical fitness test.
Family permits are linked to the sponsor's own permit: if your visa is cancelled, theirs must be cancelled too. The same portal page says dependants then have a 6-month grace period from expiry or cancellation to obtain a new residence permit, and a sponsor who fails to renew or cancel a dependant's visa could be fined. The portal also notes that the conditions can change, so check with ICP before you apply.
What to prepare
- Proof of relationship: the UAE Government portal lists an attested birth certificate for each child; confirm the marriage-certificate attestation required for a spouse with ICP or GDRFA when you apply.
- Housing: the same portal page lists a certified housing lease contract or proof of owning a residence, 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.
Can a family-sponsored resident take a job?
First identify the employer's licensing authority. For a MOHRE-registered establishment, a family-sponsored-dependent work permit may be the relevant route. The employer's authorised signatory applies. Published conditions include valid family-sponsored residence, no existing active work permit, and a job compatible with the establishment's activity. Other conditions and documents also apply. MOHRE family-sponsored-dependent work permit guidance.
For a free-zone employer, check the relevant free-zone authority's procedure. DIFC and ADGM have separate employment frameworks; do not assume the MOHRE route applies everywhere. UAE Government: recruiting in free zones.
Before choosing a residence change, explain the current residence category, employer jurisdiction, proposed role and intended start date. Lexoford can help identify which authority and checklist to confirm. Do not begin work on the strength of residence sponsorship alone, or send passport and ID numbers through the inquiry form.
Discuss residence and work-permit coordination
What it costs and how the service-fee tiers count family
Each family member is a separate residence application, and government fees are paid per person at cost. Under Lexoford’s three service-fee tiers, 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 (0–1 visa), Business AED 4,999 (2–3 visas + Small Business Relief (SBR) eligibility check) and Premium AED 7,999 (licence + 5 visas + CT + VAT; ERP included). Government and free-zone fees are extra, paid at cost. 5 visas: Premium AED 7,999. Each additional visa adds AED 1,000 service fee beyond the visas your tier includes. See how many visas to buy in year one and the cost calculator.
Lexoford coordinates the paperwork through its visa services and company formation services. Lexoford does not guarantee approval; immigration decides. Read What Lexoford Does Not 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. Under Lexoford’s three service-fee tiers, 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. The UAE Government portal states that expatriate residents may bring in his or her spouse 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.
What happens to my family's visas if my own visa is cancelled?
Their visas must be cancelled too, because family permits are linked to the sponsor's permit. The UAE Government portal says dependants have a 6-month grace period from expiry or cancellation to obtain a new residence permit. Check the current rules with ICP.
Can a Green visa holder sponsor family?
The UAE Government portal states that Green visa holders can sponsor first-degree relatives. Requirements can change, and immigration decides each application.
Does each family member count toward my service-fee tier?
Yes. Each dependant is a separate residence application and counts toward the visas in your written scope. Lexoford service fees: Starter AED 3,999 (0–1 visa), Business AED 4,999 (2–3 visas), Premium AED 7,999 (5 visas); each additional visa adds AED 1,000 service fee beyond the visas your tier includes. Government and free-zone fees are extra, paid at cost.
Can Lexoford guarantee my family's visas?
No. Lexoford prepares documents and coordinates each step, but immigration authorities decide every application. Anyone promising guaranteed family visas is overselling.