Bringing your wife to live with you is usually the first family visa a UAE resident applies for. The process is well established and, once your documents are ready, it is mostly paperwork and a few short appointments. This guide walks you through each step, the documents you need, and how long it usually takes. Rules can change, so we always confirm the current requirements for your case before you pay.
Step by step: the spouse visa process
- Eligibility check. You need a valid UAE residence and, in most cases, a salary of at least AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation from your employer. Read our salary requirement guide for details.
- Attested marriage certificate. If you married outside the UAE, the certificate must be attested in the country where it was issued, by the UAE embassy there, and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then translated into Arabic. A marriage registered in the UAE usually needs no attestation.
- Entry permit or change of status. If your wife is outside the UAE, we apply for an entry permit so she can travel in. If she is already in the UAE on a visit or other visa, we usually apply for a change of status so she does not need to leave.
- Medical fitness test. Required for everyone aged 18 and over.
- Emirates ID biometrics. She attends a short appointment for fingerprints and a photo.
- Digital residence issued. UAE residence is now digital, with no sticker in the passport. Her Emirates ID card follows.
Documents you need
From you, the sponsor
- Passport, residence details and Emirates ID.
- Salary certificate or labour contract (or trade licence if you are an investor).
- Tenancy contract, registered where required (for example Ejari in Dubai).
- Sometimes recent bank statements.
From your wife
- Passport copy with enough validity.
- Recent passport-style photo with a white background.
- Attested and translated marriage certificate.
Colour scans or clear phone photos sent on WhatsApp are fine to start. The full list is in our documents checklist, and our team can arrange certificate attestation if you need it.
How long does it take?
Once all documents are complete and correct, a spouse visa usually takes around one to two weeks from application to digital residence. This is a typical range, not a guarantee. The biggest delays are almost always on the document side, especially attestation of a marriage certificate issued abroad, which can take longer than the visa itself. Starting attestation early is the best way to save time.
Can my wife work on a spouse visa?
Yes. A wife on a family residence visa can work in the UAE once her employer obtains a work permit for her. She does not need to cancel her family visa to start working. Her employer handles the work permit application.
Can a wife sponsor her husband?
In some cases, yes. A working woman resident in the UAE can apply to sponsor her husband if she meets the salary and housing conditions. Approval depends on the authorities, and extra conditions may apply depending on the emirate and her job. We check your profile first and tell you honestly whether it is likely to be accepted.
Get a free eligibility check
Ready to bring your wife to the UAE? Send us your salary certificate, tenancy contract and her passport on WhatsApp and we will confirm, free of charge, whether you can apply now and what is missing. You can also see the exact government fees in our visa calculator before you start.
Questions about this visa
How long does a spouse visa take in the UAE?
Usually around one to two weeks once all documents are complete. Attesting a marriage certificate issued abroad can take longer, so start that early.
Does my wife need a medical test?
Yes. The medical fitness test is required for every family member aged 18 and over.
Can my wife work on a family visa?
Yes. She can work once her employer obtains a work permit for her, without cancelling her family visa.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and every case is different — we confirm what applies to you before you pay anything.