Moving to the UAE is a significant decision, and often, for many individuals, it does not seem totally right unless the whole family is reunited. Once the new job is secured and settling into a way of life has been accomplished, in most cases the mind then turns to bringing a husband/wife, kids, or sometimes parents along to the UAE.
Generally, you can handle the family visa procedure with ease, however, it may turn out to be quite frustrating, e.g. when you lack a document or the one you have is old or prepared not the right way. Very often, a tiny mistake causes delays in the whole process in
UAE Attestation.
If you’re an Indian applicant planning to sponsor your family, it helps to get the paperwork sorted early. Here’s a simple checklist that can make the process much smoother.
1. Passport Copies
Every family member applying for a visa will need a valid passport.
Firstly, ensure the passport still has a good amount of validity left. In case of it being near the expiry date, first, get it renewed. It is much easier to handle that before the visa application begins than to deal with it halfway through.
It is also a good idea to keep clear copies of the passport bio page ready, since these are commonly requested during different stages of the application.
2. Passport-Sized Photographs
Although most parts of the process are done online, passport-sized photos are still required on several occasions.
Always have a handful of recent white background photos on hand. Different authorities may require varying specs, so it’s good to have extra copies in case.
3. Marriage Certificate
If you are sponsoring your spouse, the marriage certificate is one of the most important documents in the file.
This document acts as evidence of the connection. Therefore, it should be clearly written, factually correct and suitably formatted for the UAE. Usually, it has to be legally authorized through the proper channels before the authorities will accept it.
It is highly advisable to plan this well in advance rather than postponing until the visa application is on its way.
4. Birth Certificate of Children
If you are applying for a visa for your child, the birth certificate will usually be required.
This paperwork outlines the connection between the migrant worker and his/her family member. Therefore, it must be complete and accurate prior to submission. In fact, most of the time, the charter will additionally require legalization for it to have formal recognition in the UAE.
When you are applying for your child, it is highly recommended to check the newest rules for
birth certificate attestation for UAE even before starting the visa application. This single action might spare you from a lot of unnecessary traveling later on.
5. Salary Certificate or Employment Documents
The sponsor usually has to show that they meet the financial requirements for bringing family members to the UAE.
Depending on the employer and visa category, this may include:
- Salary certificate
- Employment contract
- Labour contract
- Company letter
The exact requirement may differ each time, so it is generally advisable to check the newest rules just before filing anything.
6. Emirates ID and UAE Residence Visa
You will normally need copies of your:
- Emirates ID
- UAE Residence Visa
Those papers serve as proof that you are a lawful resident in the UAE and can act as a sponsor for your family.
It’s your responsibility that the Xeroxed documents are readable and current since unclear or partial documents may lead to your application being held up unnecessarily.
7. Proof of Accommodation
In many cases, applicants are asked to show that there is suitable accommodation available for the family.
This may include:
- Tenancy contract
- Ejari, where applicable
- Accommodation details
The exact requirement may vary from one Emirate to another, so it is advisable to investigate what applies in your area.
8. Medical Fitness Requirements
Some family members may need to complete medical fitness tests after arriving in the UAE as part of the residence visa process.
There are various considerations like age, visa type which determine the rules. As regulations keep changing, it is advisable to check the current process before you book a trip.
9. Health Insurance
Health insurance is another area that should not be overlooked.
A number of Emirates ask for a valid health insurance as a prerequisite before issuing or renewing a residence visa. Considering that the regulations may be subject to change periodically, I would suggest confirming the updated requirement prior to your submission.
Getting this done well in advance may spare you from the hassles due to time constraints.
10. Keep Original Documents Ready
One of the most usual mistakes made by applicants is to believe that scanned copies suffice for all things.
Digital copies are great but indeed, originals may be required at some stages of the procedure. Those in charge or providers may want to see them for verification before making a decision.
It’s so much easier if you keep all your original documents together in one folder.
A Few Tips to Avoid Delays
Even if all the documents are there, minor errors could lead to delays.
It only takes a few minutes to review the list below before you submit your application:
- Names match across all documents
- Passport details are correct
- Certificates are complete and readable
- Any document that needs legalization has been prepared properly
- You have started collecting papers well before your planned travel date
The checks can be as simple as they look but could potentially prevent a lot of loss of time in the future.
Final Thoughts
Introducing your family to the UAE is a great experience, however, it demands thorough planning. Visa regulations are rarely the culprit behind delays. Mostly, it occurs when a document is missed, prepared late or not legalized on time.
Although the whole process may be quite overwhelming, proper arrangement of every step in advance will make things easier for you. Planning a bit now will not only save you from a lot of stress in future but also let your family come to the UAE with lesser surprises.
