Can a mother sponsor her child's visa in the UAE? Eligibility, documents and costs explained for 2026

Dubai: If you are a woman in the UAE, and wondering whether you can sponsor a visa for your child, here’s the short answer: yes, you can, provided you are eligible to do so. For the longer answer, read on below, and learn about the eligibility criteria, what documents are required, and how to apply for a visa for your children, as a woman living and working in the UAE. Can a mother sponsor her child’s visa in the UAE? Awatif Al Khouri, senior Emirati advocate at the Dubai-based legal firm Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultants, said: “A mother who is legally a resident in the UAE can sponsor her child's residence visa. UAE immigration rules allow both male and female residents to sponsor qualifying family members.” This doesn’t change if you are a single mother or divorced. If you have your UAE residence permit, the general family sponsorship rules apply. However, certain documents will become necessary in the application process. Awatif said: “Proof of the legal parent-child relationship [is] essential. Additional documentation may be required depending on the child's parentage and custody arrangements.” Who is eligible to sponsor their children? A woman living in the UAE becomes eligible to sponsor her child if she meets the following eligibility criteria: Minimum salary requirement: A family sponsor needs to have a minimum salary of Dh4,000, or Dh3,000 plus accommodation to apply for a visa for their children. Age requirements: Expats can sponsor unmarried daughters indefinitely, with no age restriction. Previously, the age limit for sponsoring sons was set at 18 years. As of 2026, sons can be sponsored up until age 25, provided they are enrolled in an accredited institution. There is an exception to the above requirement, however. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), Golden Visa holders can sponsor their children for the same long-term residency period (of five or 10 years) without needing to meet the minimum salary requirement. The maximum age limit of 25 years has also been removed for Golden Visa holders who want to sponsor their sons (as long as they are unmarried). What documents are required for mothers to apply for their children’s visa? The documents a woman requires are similar to those required for processing a family residence visa, with a few exceptions. The key is to ensure you show you are eligible. Awatif explained: “She must hold a valid UAE residence permit and meet the financial requirement. She must also provide suitable accommodation and proof of her relationship with the child. Additional documentation may apply depending on the emirate and the family's circumstances.” Here are all the documents you require to sponsor children in the UAE, according to Dubai’s Amer Centre, which provides visa and residency services in the emirate: Application form: Submitted online or through a registered typing office Passport copies and recent pictures of your children Your employment contract copy, Emirates ID and passport Your salary certificate from the employer, stating the monthly salary Attested birth certificates (for children) in Arabic or birth certificates that have been translated into Arabic by a certified translator Registered tenancy contract Bank statements for the last three months The following documents are also required when mothers are sponsoring their children in the UAE: No Objection Letter (NOC): The NOC must be from the husband, and must state that the child will be sponsored by the mother. If the husband is outside the UAE, the NOC has to be attested by UAE Embassy abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) inside the UAE. If the husband is inside UAE, the NOC should be attested by Dubai Court or a Notary Public. If the NOC is typed in a language other than Arabic, it should be translated into Arabic. Learn how to get documents attested here . For divorced women and single mothers: The child custody declaration, issued by a relevant court, or related affidavit from your home country’s consulate, must be submitted. If the custody was handled overseas, the document should be attested by the UAE Embassy abroad, as well as by the MOFA in the UAE, and it should be translated into Arabic. Once you are ready to apply for your children’s visas, you can follow the application process for a family residence visa: Begin your application Apply for a medical fitness test for your child (if they are over the age of 18; younger children do not require a medical test) Collect the Emirates ID Submit the documents for visa stamping Complete fee payment Check out how to start the application process online and follow the step-by-step visa application process here . How much does the residence visa cost? Here is the average fee breakdown for a residence visa in 2026, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP): Entry permit fee (if applicable): Dh548.90 Other service charges: Dh300 Emirates