Sponsoring Your Family on the Dubai Golden Visa

Spouse, children of any age, parents, and domestic staff: the 10-year visa covers the whole immediate household, and dependant permits generally run with your own term.

Updated 15 July 2026 - reflects the April 2026 DLD-GDRFA unified workflow Written by Home Guide Dubai research desk Reviewer: pending appointment 3 primary sources

The short answer

The 10-year Dubai Golden Visa lets you sponsor your spouse, children of any age, parents, and domestic staff. There is no cap on the number of children, and dependant permits generally match your 10-year term. Unlike a standard work visa, adult children and elderly parents are included, which is a key reason families choose this route.

AED 5,774.50

Per sponsored family member, and per parent, on the DLD investor fee schedule

AED 318.75

To open a family file (plus AED 100 added per sponsored person)

Any age

Children qualify with no upper age limit and no cap on number

10 years

Dependant permits generally match your term and renew when you renew

Who Counts as a Dependant

The 10-year visa is unusually generous on family. Where an ordinary employment visa limits you to a spouse and children under a certain age, the Golden Visa extends to your whole immediate household:

Spouse - sponsored under your visa, confirmed on u.ae's Golden Visa page.
Children of any age - under the golden residence rules of Cabinet Decision 65/2022 as applied by GDRFA and ICP, there is no upper age limit and no cap on the number of children. Adult sons and daughters are included, which most residence visas do not allow.
Parents - you can sponsor both parents as dependants; the DLD investor Golden Visa fee schedule prices parents at AED 5,774.50 each.
Domestic staff - domestic workers can be sponsored under your visa, subject to the usual labour and contract rules; confirm numbers and terms with GDRFA Dubai.

Why this mattersThe "children of any age" rule removes the anxiety of a child ageing out of your visa at 18 or 21. Once sponsored, their permits generally run with the same 10-year window you hold (GDRFA reporting).

Dependant Terms

Dependant categories and terms - 10-year Golden Visa, July 2026
Dependant	Who qualifies	Term
Spouse	Legally married husband or wife	Generally matches your 10 years, renews with yours
Children	Any age, no cap on number	Generally matches your 10 years, renews with yours
Parents	Your mother and father	Generally matches your 10 years - confirm with GDRFA Dubai
Domestic staff	Household workers under contract	Linked to your sponsorship - confirm terms with GDRFA Dubai

Dependant permits generally match the principal's 10-year term (GDRFA reporting); confirm parent and staff terms with GDRFA Dubai before filing.

Do you qualify?

Check that your property and situation qualify first, then map every dependant onto the visa.

Check your eligibility →

The Cost of Adding Family

Each dependant carries their own government fees - visa issuance, medical fitness test, and Emirates ID. On the DLD Golden Visa (Investor) fee schedule, budget for the following:

Dependant fees - DLD investor schedule
Item	Fee (AED)
Per sponsored family member	5,774.50
Per sponsored parent	5,774.50
Family file opening	318.75
Added per sponsored person	100.00

You also need valid UAE health insurance for each dependant - a condition of residence rather than a visa fee. Fees change; confirm current amounts with ICP and GDRFA before you budget for a family application.

For the full per-applicant fee picture, including the figures for issuance, medical, and Emirates ID, see the verified cost table.

Documents You Will Usually Need

Marriage certificate for a spouse, attested for use in the UAE.
Birth certificates for children, attested.
Proof of relationship for parents, plus evidence of support where required.
Passports, photos, and health insurance for every dependant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sponsor children over 18 on the Golden Visa?

Yes. Children of any age qualify as dependants on the 10-year Golden Visa, with no upper age limit. This is a key difference from standard residence visas.

Is there a limit on how many children I can sponsor?

No. There is no cap on the number of children you can sponsor under the 10-year visa.

Can I sponsor my parents on the Golden Visa?

Yes. Both parents can be sponsored as dependants on the Golden Visa for the same 10-year term.

How long do my family members' visas last?

Dependants receive the same 10-year term as the main applicant and renew when you renew, as long as you keep qualifying property.

Can I bring domestic staff on the Golden Visa?

Yes. Household workers can be sponsored under your visa, subject to the usual labour and contract requirements.

Do family members each pay separate fees?

Yes. Each dependant has their own issuance, medical, and Emirates ID fees, plus mandatory UAE health insurance. See our cost breakdown for guide figures.

Sources

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
Dubai Land Department (DLD)

UAE Golden Visa dependant rules current at July 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and fees change - confirm the current position with ICP and GDRFA, or a licensed adviser, before you apply.