Family Visa Guide: How to Bring Your Family to UAE & Saudi Arabia (2026)

For Pakistani expatriates working in the Gulf, being separated from family is one of the hardest parts of the journey. The good news? Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia offer clear pathways for residents to sponsor their loved ones. This guide covers everything you need—salary requirements, documents, costs, and step-by-step processes—to bring your family to the Gulf in 2026.

UAE Family Visa: Complete Requirements for Pakistanis

If you’re a Pakistani expatriate residing in the UAE, you can sponsor your spouse, children, and in some cases parents for a family residence visa. Here’s what you need to know.

Who Can Sponsor Family in UAE?

Any expatriate resident with a valid residency visa can sponsor family members, provided they meet the income criteria. Importantly, job title is no longer a condition for family sponsorship in Dubai .

Salary Requirements for UAE Family Sponsorship

The minimum income requirements vary depending on who you’re sponsoring :

Family Member	Minimum Monthly Salary	Notes
Spouse & Children	AED 4,000	Or AED 3,000 + employer-provided accommodation
Parents (Standard)	AED 20,000	Must sponsor both parents together unless death/divorce
Parents (Humanitarian)	AED 10,000	Plus suitable attested tenancy contract
Parents-in-Law	AED 10,000	Through humanitarian permit route

For visit visas for relatives and friends, the sponsor’s salary requirements are :

• First-degree relatives (parents, spouse, children): AED 4,000/month
• Second/third-degree relatives: AED 8,000/month
• Friends: AED 15,000/month

Required Documents for UAE Family Visa

Pakistani applicants need to prepare :

Sponsor Documents:

• Valid Emirates ID and residency visa copy
• Salary certificate or employment contract
• Attested tenancy contract (Ejari)
• Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
• Passport copy with valid residency

Family Member Documents:

• Valid passports (minimum 6 months validity)
• Attested marriage certificate (from Pakistan NADRA and UAE embassy)
• Attested birth certificates for children
• Recent passport-size photographs (white background)
• Health insurance for each family member

Important Note: All Pakistani documents must be attested by NADRA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, and the UAE Embassy in Pakistan before submission .

Step-by-Step UAE Family Visa Process

1. Entry Permit Application: Sponsor applies for entry permit through GDRFA Dubai or ICA (depending on emirate)
2. Medical & Biometrics: Family members (5+ years) undergo medical tests at GAMCA-approved centers in Pakistan and complete biometric verification 
3. Visa Stamping: Once approved, the visa is stamped in the passport at UAE Embassy in Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi
4. Entry to UAE: Family travels to UAE within 60 days of visa issuance
5. Residency Issuance: Upon arrival, complete medical, Emirates ID registration, and visa stamping

UAE Family Visa Costs

Approximate fees for 2025-2026 :

• Visa processing fee: $69 (approx. Rs. 19,300) per person
• Entry permit: Variable by emirate
• Medical test: AED 300-500 per person
• Emirates ID: AED 100-300 per person
• Health insurance: Varies by provider

Bank Statement Requirement: Pakistani applicants must show a minimum balance of $5,000 (approx. Rs. 1.4 million) in a six-month stamped bank statement .

Saudi Arabia Family Visa: Complete Guide for Pakistanis

Saudi Arabia offers a permanent family visa (dependent visa) that allows expatriate residents to bring their spouse and children to live with them long-term .

Eligibility for Saudi Family Sponsorship

To sponsor your family in Saudi Arabia, you must meet these criteria :

• Valid Iqama: Minimum 3 months validity remaining
• Minimum Salary: SAR 3,500 per month (as per GOSI certificate)
• Acceptable Profession: Most professional roles qualify (engineers, doctors, IT professionals, managers, skilled trades)
• Valid Employment: Current work contract in Saudi Arabia

Who Can Be Sponsored?

Family Member	Eligibility	Notes
Spouse	One wife	Polygamous marriages recognized but only one spouse per visa
Sons	Under 18 years	Age restriction applies
Daughters	Any age	Must be unmarried
Parents	Generally not eligible	Need visit visa instead

Required Documents for Saudi Family Visa

Documents must be properly attested and translated into Arabic :

Sponsor Documents:

• Valid Iqama copy
• Passport copy
• GOSI certificate (shows registered salary)
• Salary certificate (stamped by Chamber of Commerce)
• Istiqdam form (official application form with company seal)

Family Member Documents:

• Valid passports (6+ months validity)
• Attested marriage certificate (by Saudi Embassy in Pakistan and MOFA)
• Attested birth certificates for children
• Recent passport-size photos (51mm x 51mm, white background)
• Medical fitness reports from GAMCA-approved centers in Pakistan

Saudi Family Visa Costs

Initial Visa Fee :

• SAR 2,000 per family (covers spouse and all eligible children)
• SAR 30 Chamber of Commerce attestation fee
• Government employees may be exempt from visa fee

Ongoing Monthly Dependent Fees :

• SAR 400 per dependent per month (after first 90 days free)
• Example: Family with spouse + 2 children = SAR 1,200/month = SAR 14,400/year
• This is separate from health insurance costs

How to Apply: Online vs Offline

Online Method (via Absher) :

1. Log in to Absher platform (absher.sa)
2. Navigate to “Expatriates Services” → “New Family Visa Application”
3. Select “Apply for Family Visa”
4. Enter family member details
5. Submit and print application
6. Get company attestation through Chamber of Commerce (SAR 30)
7. Pay SAR 2,000 via SADAD payment system
8. Wait 2-3 working days for approval
9. Send visa number to Pakistan for stamping

Offline Method (via Istiqdam) :

• Book appointment at Istiqdam office
• Pay SAR 2,000 fee in advance via SADAD
• Submit all attested documents in person
• Receive yellow slip within 30 minutes (contains visa details)
• Send yellow slip to Pakistan for embassy stamping

Processing Timeline

3 to 6 weeks depending on document readiness and consular appointment availability .

Key Differences: UAE vs Saudi Family Visas

Aspect	UAE	Saudi Arabia
Minimum Salary	AED 4,000 (spouse/children)	SAR 3,500
Parents Sponsorship	Possible (higher thresholds)	Generally not allowed
Visa Fee	$69 + emirate fees	SAR 2,000 per family
Ongoing Fees	Health insurance only	SAR 400/month per dependent
Validity	1-3 years, renewable	1 Hijri year, renewable
Profession Restriction	No	Yes (must be eligible profession)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Unattested Documents: All Pakistani civil documents must be properly attested by NADRA, MOFA Pakistan, and relevant Gulf embassy .
2. Insufficient Bank Balance: UAE applicants need $5,000 minimum balance in six-month statement .
3. Expired Passports: Ensure all family passports have minimum 6 months validity.
4. Missing Medical Tests: Family members over certain ages must complete GAMCA medical tests before visa stamping .
5. Ignoring Grace Periods: Saudi gives 90 free days after arrival; after that, monthly fees apply .

Conclusion: Plan Ahead for a Smooth Process

Bringing your family to the Gulf requires careful planning, proper documentation, and meeting financial thresholds. Whether you’re applying for a UAE family visa or a Saudi permanent family visa, start preparing 3-4 months in advance.

Key Takeaways:

• UAE: AED 4,000 minimum salary for spouse/children; AED 20,000 for parents
• Saudi: SAR 3,500 minimum salary; SAR 2,000 one-time visa fee + SAR 400/month per dependent
• All documents must be properly attested in Pakistan
• Medical tests and biometrics are mandatory
• Process takes 3-6 weeks on average

Ready to reunite with your family? Start gathering your documents today and verify the latest requirements through official channels like GDRFA Dubai, Absher, or the UAE/Saudi embassies in Pakistan.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)