The UAE family visa is a crucial document for expats wishing to bring their immediate family members to live with them in the UAE. However, the process is more than just filling out an application form. There are several legal steps involved, including the attestation and legalization of various documents.
In this guide, we will take you through the essential steps to secure a UAE family visa and the key documents you will need, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and more.
1. Understanding the UAE Family Visa:
A UAE family visa allows expatriates residing in the UAE to sponsor their immediate family members, including spouses, children, and in some cases, parents.
One of the main requirements for a family visa application is the attestation of certain documents like the marriage certificate, birth certificates, and other important legal documents.
2. Marriage Certificate Attestation for UAE Family Visa:
If you are applying for a family visa and want to sponsor your spouse, one of the key documents required is your marriage certificate attestation. The attestation process validates your marriage certificate, ensuring that it is recognized by the UAE authorities. This step confirms that your marriage is legally recognized in your home country and abroad. The marriage certificate needs to be notarized first and then attested by your home country’s relevant authorities before being presented to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. The Importance of Legal Marriage Recognition:
In the UAE, it is crucial to ensure your legal marriage recognition before applying for a family visa. If your marriage is not legally recognized in the UAE, your family visa application may be rejected. To avoid complications, you need to have your marriage certificate notarization completed by a notary public, followed by marriage certificate legalization from the UAE Embassy. This ensures that your marriage is officially acknowledged by the UAE government.
4. Steps for Attesting a Marriage Certificate:
The attestation process involves a few key steps, and these steps vary depending on the country of origin. First, the marriage certificate translation might be necessary if your certificate is not in Arabic or English. Once translated, it must be attested by the relevant authorities in your home country, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then sent to the UAE Embassy for final attestation. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs will then authenticate the document, making it legally valid for use in the UAE.
5. UAE Embassy Attestation:
The UAE Embassy attestation is a crucial step in the process of legalizing your marriage certificate. The embassy serves as an intermediary between the authorities of your home country and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassy will verify the document’s authenticity, making it ready for submission to the UAE government.
6. Family Visa Requirements and Documents:
When applying for a UAE family visa, there are several family visa requirements that must be met. Aside from the marriage certificate attestation, you will need to provide additional documents such as:
- Your valid passport and UAE residence visa.
- Proof of income, such as payslips or bank statements, to show that you can support your family in the UAE.
- Medical tests for you and your family members.
- A copy of your family member’s passport and photo.
You must ensure that all the necessary documents, including the marriage certificate documents, are in order before starting the visa application process.
7. UAE Residence Visa for Your Family:
Once your marriage certificate has been attested and your family members’ documents are in order, you can proceed with applying for a UAE residence visa for each family member. This visa will allow them to legally live and work in the UAE. Keep in mind that only residents with a certain income level are eligible to sponsor their family members.
8. Benefits of Attestation Services:
The process of attestation can be complicated and time-consuming. That’s why many expats turn to professional attestation services. Benchmark Attestation Services and similar agencies can help streamline the process of document attestation, ensuring all your documents are in order and comply with UAE requirements.
9. The Role of Online Attestation:
For those who prefer to handle things remotely, online attestation has made the process significantly easier. Websites like onlineattestation.com allow you to submit your documents for attestation without the need to visit multiple government offices. You can track your document’s status and receive it via courier once the process is complete.
10. Understanding the Civil Marriage in the UAE:
In recent years, the UAE has introduced civil marriage laws, allowing foreign nationals to marry under civil law rather than religious laws. This is particularly relevant for expats who want their marriage to be recognized without adhering to religious legalities. If you have a civil marriage in the UAE, you must follow the same process of marriage certificate attestation as foreign marriages for the family visa application.
11. Other Required Document Attestations: Birth Certificates:
In addition to the marriage certificate, other documents, such as birth certificates, may need to be attested for family visa purposes. Birth certificate attestation is necessary to prove the relationship between parents and children. This document needs to be notarized, legalized, and translated before submitting it for attestation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
12. Attestation Process for UAE Family Sponsorship:
The attestation process for family sponsorship in the UAE involves several steps, from notarizing documents to getting them attested by the relevant government bodies. Professional services like Benchmark Attestation Services can handle the entire process for you, ensuring that your documents meet the requirements of the UAE authorities and making the process much smoother.
13. Visa Application and Family Sponsorship in the UAE:
When applying for a UAE visa application, remember that the sponsorship of your family depends on your ability to provide a stable income and fulfill other legal requirements. Only individuals holding specific job titles or earning a minimum salary are eligible to sponsor their families for a UAE family visa. The attested marriage certificate and any other relevant documents are essential to demonstrate that you meet the requirements for sponsorship.
Conclusion:
Securing a UAE family visa requires careful attention to detail, particularly when it comes to document attestation and legalization. By following the right steps and ensuring all your documents, including marriage certificates and birth certificates, are properly attested, you can make the process smoother and quicker. Whether you choose traditional routes or take advantage of online attestation remember that proper documentation is the key to bringing your loved ones to the UAE.
By working with professionals like Benchmark Attestation Services, you can ensure your family visa application meets all the requirements for approval, allowing you to enjoy the many UAE legal benefits and the company of your loved ones.