Can a Wife Sponsor a Husband in Dubai

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Can a wife sponsor a husband in Dubai? Yes (under certain conditions) — and many women are doing so today! Many people come to Dubai for work and a better life. After settling down, the next important goal is to bring their family to live with them. In the past, it was mostly men who sponsored their wives and children. But today, women in the UAE are also taking on this role.

Yes, a wife can sponsor her husband in Dubai, but certain conditions must be met.

To sponsor her husband, the wife must meet a minimum salary requirement and have a valid residency visa in the UAE. The rules may vary slightly depending on the emirate, but Dubai has clear guidelines under the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

If the wife works in fields such as medicine, education, or engineering, the approval process is often smoother. However, women in other sectors can also apply, especially if their salary meets the required threshold.

✅ Tip: If the salary is slightly below the minimum, applying with a strong justification letter or sponsor letter may help — though approval is not guaranteed.

Minimum Salary for Sponsoring Husband in Dubai

To sponsor her husband in Dubai, a wife must meet the minimum salary requirement set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

The minimum salary to sponsor a husband in Dubai is:

AED 10,000 without housing
AED 8,000 with accommodation (if supported by a valid tenancy contract)

These values apply to most expatriate women living and working in Dubai. However, some professions like doctors, engineers, and teachers may receive more flexibility from immigration authorities.

Salary Requirement Comparison Table

Scenario	Minimum Salary Required	Housing Requirement
Wife has no housing provided	AED 10,000	Not required
Wife has accommodation (Ejari in her name)	AED 8,000	Valid tenancy contract (Ejari)
Government sector worker (case-by-case)	Varies (as low as AED 6,000)	Must have GDRFA approval
Humanitarian or medical professions	May be relaxed	Supporting documents recommended

Important Notes on Housing

The tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) must be in the wife's name or under a joint rental agreement
Shared accommodation is not usually accepted for family sponsorships
Proof of housing may include —
1. Ejari certificate
2. DEWA bill
3. Letter from the employer (if housing is provided)

📝 Important

According to the UAE’s official government portal, the minimum salary to sponsor family members is AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 + accommodation.

However, in Dubai, female sponsors are often required to earn AED 8,000–10,000, especially when sponsoring a husband. Always check with GDRFA Dubai or typing centers for the latest requirements in your case.

To sponsor her husband in Dubai, a wife must prepare and submit several official documents. These documents prove her identity, income, legal residency and ability to support her spouse in the UAE.

The documents fall under three main categories —
✅ Personal Documents
✅ Employment & Salary Proof
✅ Housing & Support Documents

Document Type	Required Document
Personal Documents	Copy of wife’s valid passport and residence visa Copy of husband's passport (must be valid) Passport-sized photos of husband (white background, recent) Marriage certificate (attested by UAE authorities if issued outside UAE) Emirates ID of the wife
Employment & Financial	Salary certificate from employer (dated, stamped) Bank statement for last 3–6 months (optional but may be requested) Valid labor contract (for private sector workers – via MOHRE or employer)
Housing & Accommodation	Ejari tenancy contract (must be in wife's name or jointly with husband) Recent DEWA bill (utility bill for proof of actual residence – optional) If housing provided by the employer — an official letter from the employer confirming the same

📝 Notes

The Marriage Certificate must be —
- Attested in the issuing country
- Attested by the UAE Embassy in that country
- Attested by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Documents not in Arabic or English must be legally translated into Arabic

Procedure for Sponsoring Husband in Dubai

Sponsoring your husband in Dubai involves several steps. The process, handled through GDRFA Dubai and AMER Centers, must be done correctly to avoid delays or rejections.

The full process includes document preparation, entry permit (if the husband is outside UAE), medical tests, Emirates ID registration and final visa stamping.

✅ Step 1: Gather All Required Documents

Prepare all personal, financial and housing documents as listed in the previous section

✅ Step 2: Attest Marriage Certificate

If issued outside UAE, the marriage certificate must be —

Attested in home country (Ministry/Foreign Affairs)
Attested by the UAE embassy
Attested in UAE by MOFA

✅ Step 3: Apply for Entry Permit (if the husband is outside UAE)

Visit an AMER Center or apply online via the GDRFA portal

✅ Step 4: Husband Enters UAE (if abroad)

Once the entry permit is approved, the husband can enter the UAE — he must complete the next steps within 60 days

✅ Step 5: Medical Test

Take the husband to an authorised medical fitness center in Dubai for a blood test and chest X-ray — this is required for visa stamping

✅ Step 6: Apply for Emirates ID

Submit biometric data and Emirates ID application through ICP or typing center

✅ Step 7: Health Insurance (if required)

Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai for visa stamping — choose a basic or comprehensive plan unless the employer covers it

✅ Step 8: Final Visa Stamping

Submit all approved documents at AMER or GDRFA — visa stickers will be stamped on the passport

Yes, a wife can sponsor her child in the UAE, but only if specific conditions are met. The UAE has allowed working mothers to sponsor their children if they meet the minimum salary requirement and provide the right legal documents.

This is especially helpful in cases where the father is unemployed, abroad, or does not meet sponsorship requirements.

Key Conditions for Mothers Sponsoring Children

Requirement	Details
Residency	Mother must hold a valid UAE residence visa
Minimum Salary	AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 + accommodation (federally); AED 8,000 or AED 10,000 in Dubai
Child’s Age	Up to 18 years for sons No limit for daughters if unmarried

Required Documents (Additional to Standard Set)

NOC from father (attested by UAE MOFA if the father is abroad)
Copy of father’s passport and visa/residency status (if applicable)
Child’s birth certificate (attested and legally translated if needed)

📝 Important Notes

Sponsorship of sons above 18 years is only possible if they are studying in the UAE or abroad (a student visa may be needed)
Divorced or widowed women may sponsor their children with additional legal documents like custody papers or death certificates
Daughters can remain under sponsorship regardless of age as long as they are unmarried

No, shared or bed-space accommodation is generally not accepted. You must have a valid Ejari tenancy contract in your name or a joint lease agreement, especially in Dubai. This is a key part of housing requirements for sponsoring wife visa in Dubai or husband visas alike.

In most cases, no. Freelancers and part-time employees are usually not eligible unless their visa is issued under a registered UAE company or free zone and includes a labor contract and salary certificate that meets the minimum salary for sponsoring a wife in Dubai or husband.

The full process — from application to visa stamping — typically takes 10 to 15 working days, assuming all documents are in order. Delays may occur during busy periods or if document attestation is incomplete.

Yes, but she must update her new employment details with immigration. This includes a new:

Salary certificate
Labor contract
Emirates ID update (if applicable)

Failure to update may affect the renewal of the husband's visa.

Yes, the rule applies across the UAE, not just Dubai. However, each emirate may have slightly different enforcement practices. For instance, Abu Dhabi may accept applications with a lower salary threshold (AED 4,000 + housing), while Dubai enforces a higher limit.