husband visa uae 2026 - sponsorship rules, application process & fees

Complete Guide to Husband Visa in UAE: Sponsorship, Requirements, Process & Fees (2026)

02-Oct-2025 0 Comments 0 Views

The UAE has made it possible for women expatriates to sponsor their husbands under the Husband Visa UAE category. This visa falls under the family residence visa scheme, allowing spouses to live legally in the Emirates. In this guide, we cover the complete process, requirements, costs, validity, renewal, and FAQs about sponsoring a husband in Dubai and other Emirates.


What is a Husband Visa in UAE?

A Husband Visa in UAE is a family residence visa that allows expatriate women to sponsor their husbands and bring them to live legally in the Emirates. Once approved, the husband can stay in the UAE, obtain an Emirates ID, access healthcare, and even apply for a work permit if employed.


Who Can Sponsor a Husband in Dubai & UAE?

  • Female residents on employment visas or investor visas can sponsor their husbands.

  • A valid Emirates ID and UAE residency are mandatory.

  • A minimum salary threshold applies (see below).


Minimum Salary Requirement for Women Sponsoring Husband in UAE

As per UAE immigration rules:

  • A woman must earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 + accommodation allowance to sponsor her husband.

  • Additional income proof may be required in high-cost Emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.


Documents Required for Husband Sponsorship UAE

Mandatory Documents for Husband Visa Application

  • Valid passport copies of husband and wife

  • Wife’s UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy

  • Passport-size photographs of the husband (white background)

  • Attested marriage certificate (attested by UAE Embassy & Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

  • Employment contract and salary certificate of the wife

  • Tenancy contract or Ejari certificate (for Dubai)

Additional Documents (if applicable)

  • Bank statements (last 3–6 months)

  • Health insurance policy for the husband

  • NOC letter (if required in specific cases)


Step-by-Step Husband Visa Application Process in Dubai & UAE

Entry Permit Application

Apply for an entry permit through GDRFA (Dubai), ICA Smart Services, or Amer Centers.

Medical Fitness Test for Spouse Visa

The husband must undergo a medical fitness test at an authorized UAE health center, including blood tests and chest X-rays.

Emirates ID & Biometric Registration

After medical clearance, apply for the Emirates ID through the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship.

Health Insurance Requirement for Husband Visa

Health insurance is mandatory before visa stamping. The policy must meet UAE’s minimum healthcare coverage standards.

Stamping of Residence Permit in Passport

Finally, the residence visa is stamped in the husband’s passport, completing the process.


Where to Apply: GDRFA, ICA, and Amer Center Services

  • GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai) handles applications within Dubai.

  • ICA Smart Services covers Abu Dhabi and Northern Emirates.

  • Amer Centers in Dubai process applications in-person for convenience.


Validity, Renewal & Extension of Husband Visa UAE

  • Validity: 1, 2, or 3 years depending on the sponsor’s visa type.

  • Renewal: Must be renewed before expiry, subject to valid salary, tenancy contract, and insurance.

  • Overstaying after visa expiry may result in fines.


Cost of Husband Visa in Dubai & UAE

The cost varies by emirate and processing center but typically includes:

  • Entry Permit: AED 500 – AED 1,000

  • Medical Fitness Test: AED 300 – AED 500

  • Emirates ID: AED 370 – AED 500 (depending on validity)

  • Health Insurance: AED 600 – AED 2,500 annually (plan dependent)

  • Visa Stamping: AED 500 – AED 1,000

Approximate Total: AED 3,000 – AED 5,000


Husband Visa Renewal Process & Fees in UAE

  • Renewal fees are similar to the initial application.

  • Requires fresh medical test, valid tenancy contract, renewed health insurance, and updated salary certificate.

  • Renewal must be initiated at least 30 days before visa expiry.


Can a Husband Work in UAE on a Spouse Visa?

Yes. Husbands on spouse visas can work in the UAE if they obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or a Free Zone Authority.

  • The employer applies for the work permit.

  • No need to change residence visa sponsorship.


Visa Status Change for Husband Inside UAE

If the husband is already in the UAE on a visit visa, his status can be changed to a residence visa without exiting the country, subject to payment of status change fees.


Common Challenges & Mistakes to Avoid in Husband Visa Applications

  • Submitting an unattested marriage certificate

  • Not meeting the minimum salary requirement

  • Missing health insurance proof

  • Late renewal leading to overstay fines

  • Incomplete documentation at Amer Centers or GDRFA offices


Why Choose Our Service for Your Husband Visa UAE Application?

Applying for a spouse visa in the UAE involves multiple steps and government approvals. Errors in documentation can lead to rejection or delays. With Dubai E Visa Online, you benefit from:

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Conclusion

The Husband Visa UAE allows female residents to sponsor their spouses legally, provided they meet salary, accommodation, and documentation requirements. With the right guidance, the process is straightforward and ensures your family can stay together in the UAE without complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of a husband’s visa in Dubai typically ranges from AED 3,000 – AED 5,000, which covers entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, visa stamping, and health insurance.

Yes. A Dubai husband visa gives you a legal residence permit, allowing you to stay in Dubai, access healthcare, apply for an Emirates ID, and sponsor children if eligible.

If you are on your husband's visa in the UAE, there are several benefits you can enjoy that some people don't realize: 1. You can work and earn a living, 2. You can acquire a credit card and create a bank account. 3. You can obtain a driver's license. 4. You can purchase a car and insure it. 5. You can enter and depart the country. You may start your own company. You have the legal right to own property. You can marry and have children at the age of eight. 9. You may be able to be sponsored for residence. The aforementioned points are not subject to any limits or limitations. You may also take advantage of all of these incentives if your spouse has a valid UAE visa. However, the UAE has a no-visa policy for certain countries, which means that you can visit for up to 30 days without a visa.

To sponsor a husband in Dubai, the wife must provide:

  • An attested marriage certificate (attested in home country & UAE MOFA).

  • Copy of Emirates ID and residence visa.

  • Minimum salary proof of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 + accommodation).

  • Ejari/tenancy contract in Dubai.

  • Valid health insurance for the husband.

If you are on your husband's visa, you are not permitted to work in the UAE. However, if you are on a dependant visa, you are not entitled to work. If your spouse is on a visit visa, you will be able to work as long as he is paid and you are paid for your labor. While you are on your husband's visa, you can apply for a dependant visa. You can apply for a dependent visa while on a visit visa, but you won't get it until you terminate your visit visa and get a new dependent visa.

Recent updates include:

  • Mandatory attestation of marriage certificate

  • Proof of salary and tenancy contract

  • Mandatory health insurance before visa stamping

  • Validity periods of 1, 2, or 3 years depending on the sponsor’s visa

An employment visa in Dubai is issued by an employer, while a husband’s visa is a residence visa sponsored by a wife. On a husband’s visa, the spouse can legally live in Dubai and apply for a work permit if they wish to take up employment.

A Dubai husband visa allows you to legally reside with your spouse and children in the city. Once approved, you can apply for family visas for children under the same sponsorship.

As a woman, you will most likely be on your husband's visa. This is called a dependent visa, and it comes with many benefits. First of all, you won't pay any fees for the visa. If you work in the UAE, you will need to get a work visa, which you can apply for once you are already in the UAE. There are different types of work visas in the UAE, and the visa costs vary depending on the type of work visa you apply for. The employer you work for will apply for the visa and the cost will be deducted from your salary.

You can get a UAE residence permit based on your husband’s visa. It is only valid for a year and after that, you must reapply or leave the country. The spouse of a UAE resident can only apply for a dependent residence visa if they are a full-time student or are sponsored by their husband. If you are on a dependent residence visa, you can only work in the UAE if your husband has a no-objection certificate (NOC). You cannot apply for a job in the UAE while on a dependent residence visa, but you may be able to find a job outside of the UAE if you are a citizen of a country that does not require you to have a visa to enter.

There are no specific profession restrictions. Any job is possible as long as the employer secures a legal work permit for the wife under her husband’s sponsorship.

The UAE has several employment visa options and it is important to understand the rules and regulations to make the right choice. The UAE has a strict labor law, it is extremely difficult for a woman to find a job and work in the UAE. Even if a woman is married to an Emirati or a UAE national, the woman cannot work in the UAE if her husband is not working in the UAE. Labor law does not allow a woman to work in the UAE unless her husband is working in the UAE and her husband is the sponsor of her work visa. However, some companies will sponsor the work visa of the wife of an employee, but it is only limited to specific companies that offer this service.

Yes. A wife sponsored under a husband’s visa in Dubai can work, provided she obtains a valid work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or a Free Zone Authority.

A wife can work in the UAE under her husband’s sponsorship. However, the employer must get written approval from her husband. It is a common misconception that a wife cannot work in the UAE on her husband’s visa. No law in the UAE prohibits a wife from working in the UAE on her husband’s visa. There are many wives of UAE residents who are working in the UAE. They are working either on an employment visa or a visit visa. The employer of such a person must get written approval from the husband before employing the wife. Before the employee may enter the UAE, he must acquire permission from his husband. The approval is valid for 6 months from the date of approval and must be renewed with the immigration department before it expires.

  • Legal residence status in Dubai

  • Ability to apply for Emirates ID and medical insurance

  • Easier job switching without changing residence visa

  • Lower visa costs for employers, increasing hiring chances

As the spouse of a UAE resident, you are not required to have a work permit or visa to live or work in the UAE. However, you will be required to secure an ID card within 30 days of entry into the country. If you are employed, your employer will apply to obtain a residence visa for you. The duration of your job contract will determine the validity of your residence visa. Residence visas are not transferrable, and once you leave the UAE, the visa will no longer be valid.

Yes, you can. However, you must have a valid work permit. Working without a permit while on a husband’s visa in Dubai is considered illegal.

Expat wives can work in Dubai if their employer applies for a work permit, while they continue to stay on their husband’s sponsorship. This is a cost-effective and widely accepted practice.

Yes. The sponsoring wife must earn at least AED 4,000 monthly, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, to apply for a husband’s visa in Dubai.

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