If you’ve landed yourself a UAE Golden Visa — congratulations. That little stamp isn’t just a visa; it’s a golden ticket to long-term freedom in one of the world’s most future-ready countries.
But let’s be honest , the next question almost everyone asks is: “Can my spouse get one too?”
Fair question. Because what’s the point of living the dream if your partner can’t join you for the ride?
There’s plenty of half-true, outdated, and confusing information floating around online. So, let’s strip away the noise and talk facts — straight from official UAE 2025 regulations and first-hand experience helping clients through the process.
What Exactly Is the UAE Golden Visa?
Think of the Golden Visa as the UAE’s way of saying: “We want you to stay.
It’s a long-term residency program that gives 5- or 10-year visas to investors, entrepreneurs, top professionals, scientists, and exceptional students.
Unlike regular residency permits, this one doesn’t need a local sponsor. You can live, work, invest, or even spend months abroad without worrying about your visa getting canceled.
But the real game-changer? Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children — with no age limit.
According to the UAE government’s official portal u.ae, Golden Visa holders “can sponsor their family members, including spouses and children, regardless of their ages.”
So, Can a Spouse Get a Golden Visa?
Not automatically — but almost.
Your spouse doesn’t receive a separate Golden Visa unless they individually qualify (say, as an investor or specialist). Instead, they get a long-term residency under your sponsorship.
That means they can live, work, study, and travel freely, enjoying the same lifestyle perks you do — just under your visa umbrella.
The only catch? Their residency is tied to yours. If your Golden Visa expires or gets canceled, their dependent visa will also need an update or transfer.
How Sponsorship Works (The Simple Version)
Once your Golden Visa is approved, sponsoring your spouse is refreshingly straightforward. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
- Get your Golden Visa approved under any eligible category — investor, property owner, or skilled professional.
- Apply for family sponsorship through GDRFAD Dubai or the ICP portal.
- Submit your spouse’s documents — passport, attested marriage certificate, medical test, health insurance, and proof of accommodation.
- Once approved, your spouse receives a 5- or 10-year residency, valid for the same duration as yours.
Pro tip: Make sure your marriage certificate is attested both in your home country and in the UAE. It’s the one step that trips up many applicants.
The Benefits — Beyond Just Residency
Being sponsored under a Golden Visa isn’t just about long-term stay. It’s a full lifestyle upgrade.
- 5–10 years of residency matching your Golden Visa.
- Freedom to work, freelance, or open a business (after securing a permit).
- Access to world-class healthcare and schools.
- Children of any age can be sponsored — a rare privilege.
- Flexibility to stay outside the UAE for over six months without losing visa status.
- Access to banking, credit, and investment opportunities that regular dependents don’t always get.
Common Myths (and the Truth Behind Them)
Let’s tackle a few rumors that refuse to die:
Myth 1: “If I get a Golden Visa, my spouse automatically gets one too.”
Nope. They get a dependent residency, not their own Golden Visa — unless they qualify separately.
Myth 2: “My spouse’s visa stays valid even if mine is canceled.”
Wrong again. Their residency is linked to yours. If your Golden Visa ends, theirs must be renewed or switched to another category.
Myth 3: “We’ll have to reapply every year.”
Thankfully, no. The dependent visa runs for the same duration as your Golden Visa — five or ten years.
Step-by-Step: How to Sponsor Your Spouse in 2025
If you’re ready to start the process, here’s the most current route for 2025:
- Verify your Golden Visa status – make sure it’s active and valid in the ICP or GDRFAD system.
- Gather the essentials:
- Attested marriage certificate
- Passport copies
- Emirates ID (if applicable)
- Medical fitness certificate
- Valid health insurance
- Attested marriage certificate
- Apply online through the ICP or GDRFAD portal under “Family Sponsorship for Golden Visa Holders.”
- Pay the fees — around AED 2,000–3,000 total (covering visa, ID, and medical).
- Complete biometrics and stamping. Once done, your spouse’s residency is set for 5–10 years, same as yours.
For the nitty-gritty official process, you can check the government’s Golden Visa services page.
What If Both Partners Qualify?
Lucky you — that’s the best-case scenario.
If both partners independently qualify (say one’s a business investor and the other’s a senior professional), each can hold their own Golden Visa.
That means full autonomy — separate sponsorships, independent travel, and even better flexibility for families managing multiple ventures.
FAQs — The Real Questions People Ask
Q1. Does my spouse need to be in the UAE to apply?
Not necessarily. You can start while they’re abroad. Once the entry permit is approved, they can fly in and complete the medical test and Emirates ID. Easy.
Q2. Can I sponsor my parents too?
Yes, but with conditions. Golden Visa holders can sponsor parents if they meet specific income and housing requirements — which can differ slightly by emirate.
Q3. What if we get divorced?
If the marriage ends legally, the dependent visa does too. But there’s a grace period to apply for another visa — whether it’s employment, business, or even a separate Golden Visa if eligible.
Q4. Can my spouse work in the UAE?
Yes — once they get a valid work permit from a licensed employer. And the process is much smoother now than it used to be.
Final Thoughts
So, can your spouse get a Golden Visa?
Technically, not their own. But through family sponsorship, they enjoy nearly every benefit you do, long-term security, work flexibility, and the chance to build a life in one of the world’s most ambitious nations.
The UAE isn’t just giving out visas. It’s giving out stability, opportunity, and belonging which is something most countries rarely offer expats.
If you and your partner are planning to take that next step, our team at Golden Visa UAE can make it seamless from eligibility checks to paperwork and family sponsorships.
Because the real goal isn’t just getting a visa; it’s building a future, together.
Contact Golden Visa UAE today to simplify your application and bring your family one step closer to long-term life in the Emirates.
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