Sponsoring Family Members on a UAE Green Visa: Eligibility, Cost and Documents

Green Visa holders in the UAE can now sponsor their first-degree relatives to live with them in the country. The Green Visa, also known as Green Residency, is a five-year self-sponsored residency permit available to skilled employees, freelancers, investors, and business partners in the UAE.

This article will guide Green Visa holders through the process of sponsoring family members in the UAE, including eligibility requirements, required documents, the application process, and a cost breakdown.

What is UAE’s Green Visa

The Green Visa is a one-of-a-kind type of residence visa provided by the UAE that allows freelancers, self-employed individuals, and skilled workers to sponsor themselves for a period of five years.

Unlike other visa types, this one does not require a UAE national or an employer to sponsor the visa. As a result, the Green Visa is an appealing option for those seeking to work or conduct business in the UAE while maintaining their independence.

Eligibility Criteria for Green Visa Holders

To be eligible for the Green Visa as a skilled employee, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid employment contract
• Be classified in the first, second, or third occupational level as per the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
• Possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Have a minimum salary of Dh15,000

Required Documents for Family Sponsorship

Green Visa holders need to provide the following documents to sponsor their family members:

• Original entry permit of each family member
• Valid passport copy of each family member
• Copy of medical fitness test results of family members
• Coloured passport-sized photograph of each family member
• Copy of sponsor’s health insurance card
• Front and back copies of sponsor’s Emirates ID
• Sponsor’s valid passport copy
• Proof of kinship document, such as a birth or marriage certificate. If the documents are issued by a foreign government, they must be legally translated into Arabic and attested by the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC)
• Sponsor’s tenancy contract
• Proof of sponsor’s monthly income

It is important to mention that applicants may be required to produce additional documents may be required, depending on the information entered in the application.

How to Apply for the Green Visa Online

Green Visa holders can sponsor their family’s UAE residence visa through the ICP Smart Services platform. The application process involves the following steps:

1. Visit the ICP Smart Services website at smartservices.icp.gov.ae, or download the ICP mobile app ‘UAEICP’.
2. Log in using your UAE Pass or an ICP online account.
3. Click on the ICP department in your Emirate and search for ‘Green Residency Visa for Skilled Person Family Members – Issue’.
4. Click on ‘Start Service’ and fill in the application form.
5. Upload the required documents and pay the service fee using a credit or debit card.
6. Once the application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation from ICP.
7. The residency visa will be issued within two to five business days, and you will receive a digital version of the residency permit via email.

Cost Breakdown for Green Visa Holders

The final cost of the Green Visa depends on the application details, and the sponsor must pay a security deposit. Here is an estimated cost breakdown, as per the authority:

• Request fees: Dh100
• Issue fees: Dh100
• E-services fees: Dh28
• ICP fees: Dh22
• Smart services fee: Dh100
• Total cost – Dh350

Please keep in mind that this is only the cost of obtaining the residence permit. You must also apply for an Emirates ID, which must be purchased separately, as well as a medical fitness test for family members over the age of 18.

Conclusion

Green Visa holders in the UAE can now sponsor their first-degree relatives to come and live with them. The application process, which includes submitting the required documents and paying the service fee, can be completed online.

Green Visa holders must meet the eligibility requirements, and additional documents may be required depending on the situation.