Can a Golden Visa holder sponsor their children?

Yes. The 2022 Cabinet reform allows Golden Visa holders to sponsor their children, with no age limit for unmarried daughters. The same official text refers both to sponsoring children regardless of age and to an age limit of 25 for sons, so confirm your son's eligibility with ICP or GDRFA.

How many domestic workers can a Golden Visa holder sponsor?

The 2022 Cabinet announcement says domestic workers can be sponsored without limiting their number. Some reports mention a maximum of three, but we could not find that limit on an official page.

What happens to the family if the Golden Visa holder dies?

Under the 2022 reform, family members can remain in the UAE until the end of their own residence permits.

Golden Visa Family Sponsorship: Spouse, Children, Parents and Domestic Staff

One of the biggest advantages of a UAE Golden Visa is how far family sponsorship extends. It is also an area where official wording is inconsistent, so it is worth reading carefully before you plan a family move around it.

Start with the main applicant

Family sponsorship depends on the main applicant qualifying first. Check that with Gulf Pilot's free eligibility checker.

What the 2022 reform says

The UAE Cabinet's April 2022 announcement of the new residence scheme, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sets out the family rules for Golden Visa holders:

Spouse and children can be sponsored.
Unmarried daughters: no age limit.
Domestic workers: sponsorship "without limiting their number".
If the holder dies: family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.

Every GDRFA Golden Visa service card also requires comprehensive health insurance for the holder and their family, and the holder must be able to support the family without government assistance.

The sons' age question

This is the most important inconsistency. The same official announcement says holders can sponsor "spouse and children regardless of their age" and also refers to an age limit raised to 25 years for children. For ordinary residents, the u.ae family visa page (updated August 2026) sets a limit of 25 for sons. For Golden Visa holders, the wording could be read either way. If you have a son aged 25 or over, get written confirmation from ICP or GDRFA before relying on sponsorship.

Parents

We found no Golden Visa specific rule on sponsoring parents on an official page. The only explicit reference is that outstanding high school students who hold a Golden Visa may sponsor their parents. For other holders, ask ICP or GDRFA, and be wary of agents who quote a definite answer without a source.

Domestic workers: unlimited or three?

The 2022 announcement says domestic workers can be sponsored without a limit on numbers. Some news reports, including one in April 2026, mention a cap of three. We could not trace that cap to an official page, so treat it as unconfirmed.

Students and graduates

GDRFA's student category adds its own rules: high school achievers may sponsor parents only, while university graduates may sponsor a spouse and children if they have an employment contract and proof of housing.

Housing your family

Sponsoring family members usually means renting a larger home. Your tenancy rights do not depend on your visa type: Dubai's rent increase caps, the 90-day notice rule and Ejari registration protect you either way. Compare rents by area and unit size in our Dubai Rent Report, and check any proposed increase with our free RERA calculator.

Next steps

Confirm the main applicant's eligibility with Gulf Pilot.
For sons over 25, parents or several domestic workers, get written confirmation from ICP or GDRFA.
Arrange health insurance for every family member before applying.