Move toAbu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is affectionately called the “family-friendly emirate” with exceptional parks, schools and entertainment for people of all ages. Families are welcome. Expatriates who are employed by a company in Abu Dhabi can sponsor their families after they have obtained a valid residence visa. Family members are permitted to enter Abu Dhabi. You have 60 days to apply for your family’s residence visas after they enter Abu Dhabi to modify their status from an entry permit holder to a residence visa holder. The requirements for family sponsorship are different for men and women.

Male residents who are employed in Abu Dhabi can sponsor their immediate family members, which includes a wife and children. Men can sponsor their families regardless of their job titles if they earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation. All dependents over the age of 18 must complete a medical screening.

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can also be head of household. She can sponsor her husband and children, if she holds a valid residence visa stating that she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any other professional within the healthcare sector, or if she holds an Abu Dhabi Golden Visa. She must also earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 with accommodation. All dependents over the age of 18 must complete a medical screening.

A resident can sponsor a daughter(s) as long as she is unmarried but sons can only be sponsored up to the age of 18 years old. If the son is attending university in the UAE, he can be sponsored by a parent up to the age of 21. The Residence Visa is granted on a yearly basis. For it to remain valid however, the student must enter the UAE once every six months.

Expatriate employees can sponsor their parents for a period of one year by paying a deposit as a guarantee for each parent. You must present proof that you are their sole support, medical insurance and earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 per month with accommodation. The salary requirements do not apply to teachers. Both parents must be sponsored together unless documentation can be submitted showing that they are divorced or that one parent is deceased. 

Learn more about sponsoring your parents.

All applicants for a residence visa over the age of 18 must complete a medical screening, which tests for two communicable diseases: HIV (blood test) and pulmonary tuberculosis (chest x-ray). Those who are HIV positive and/or have pulmonary tuberculosis will not be granted a Residence Visa. They will be deported immediately by the UAE authorities.

Those who are diagnosed with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are considered medically fit. In this case, they are granted a Health Fitness Certificate for Residence that is valid for only one year. The applicant must then undergo treatment and follow-up with the Department of Preventive Medicine. It is advisable to get yourself and/or dependents tested in your home country before arriving in Abu Dhabi.

Learn more about medical examinations for expatriates and find a medical fitness centre in Abu Dhabi.

Once you have obtained your Residence Visa, you can open a personal bank account or a business bank account. A personal bank account is also called a current account. Setting up a UAE bank account is quick and easy. You should have access to the account within a few hours. Requirements vary from bank to bank, but there are standard required documents to open a bank account.

• Passport
• Emirates ID card (original and copy)
• Proof of residency. This can be a rental agreement, utility bill or letter of employment.

• Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
• First Abu Dhabi Bank
• Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank