How to Sponsor Your Family in GCC Countries?

One of the impactful advantages for expatriates who reside and work in GCC countries is family sponsorship. No matter whether you are travelling with your spouse, kids or even parents, all GCC countries have eligibility criteria for salary, accommodation, employment and documentation. 

The process differs slightly from country to country in each of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, but is basically the same. Applicants for a sponsored residence permit must meet minimum income requirements, have a valid residence permit and submit legally approved documents correctly attended.

Salary Requirements Across GCC Countries

The first is establishing how much money you make, to support your family. Countries have their own nature of the lowest earned wage.

In the UAE, once you have a spouse you should expect to have an expected rent as high as AED 3,000, or AED 6,000 if you also have children. Sponsoring parents will need an income of at least AED 20,000 – optionally AED 19,000 in conjunction with accommodation.

On average, SAR5,000 to SAR8,000 is what candidates will expect to earn in Saudi Arabia, based on the profession for which they were sponsored on the Iqama. Minimum salary in Qatar is sought at the level of QAR 6,000 to QAR 10,000 per month. For Kuwait it is currently at the level of KWD 800 per month along with an approved profession or university degree. Salary thresholds are relatively low for Oman and Bahrain, at OMR 450-600 and BHD 400, respectively.

Documents You’ll Need

The most time consuming aspect of an application is typically the preparation of the needed paperwork. Passports and photos and identity documents must be provided by both sponsors and dependents.

In addition, the sponsors need to provide a contract of employment, recent bank statements to prove that salary has been transferred into their accounts and a registered tenancy contract. Assuming the child is not the same gender as the parent, marriage records for the spouses and birth records for the children are necessary.

The process of attestation of these civil documents typically requires that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country of origin perform this action, followed by the signature of the Ambassador or Permanent Representative of that country’s Embassy in the country of destination, and finally, the signature of the MFA of that country after the documents have been brought there.

Medical Tests and Health Insurance

The medical fitness test is mandatory for dependents who are 18 years or above in most of the GCC countries in order to obtain a residence visa. Usually these tests are used to check for infectious diseases like tuberculosis, HIV or hepatitis.

In most GCC countries, health insurance also has to be obtained. Sponsors are required to arrange valid medical coverage for each family member in advance and prior to the ultimate residence permit being granted to the family.

Step-by-Step Sponsorship Process

The journey through the sponsorship process typically starts with the legalization and attestation of documents to be followed by an online application to the official immigration platform of the country in question.

Once permission is granted, an entry permit is issued which will enable family members to enter. After arrival, they undergo medical check-up, biometric capture and obtain local identification papers including Emirates ID card, Iqama, Qatar ID, or CPR.

The last step is activating health insurance and securing residence visa stamping or the issuance of a digital residence permit.

Tips for a Smooth Application

When looking to apply, double check your salary is in line with the current immigration requirements and verify that your tenancy deal is registered. Please be sure that all certificates are properly attested, because this is one of the most frequent causes of delays.

Digital copies of all documents are best kept and checking the progress of applications at the relevant government portals, including Absher, Metrash2 and ICP and GDRFA are recommended.

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