UAE spouse visa for Bangladeshi nationals
What this visa is
If you are married to someone who holds a UAE residence permit, you can join them on a family residence visa. Your spouse sponsors you once they meet the income rule below, and your permit stays linked to theirs for as long as it remains valid. Figures in this guide are as at September 2026.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are legally married to someone who holds a valid UAE residence permit. Your marriage needs to be formally registered, and the marriage document you present depends on how you married, covered below.
Who can sponsor
Your spouse needs a valid UAE residence permit and must earn at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month plus housing provided by their employer. The accommodation also needs to be adequate for your family size.
Both husbands and wives can sponsor a spouse. GDRFA Dubai states directly that residents of Dubai can bring in a husband or a wife on the same terms. An older rule, requiring a higher salary and a listed profession from a woman sponsoring her husband, still appears on an archived government page. If you live outside Dubai, confirm the current position with ICP before you rely on the lower figure.
Your residence permit is linked to your spouse’s. You must apply for it within 60 days of entering the UAE, and everyone aged 18 or over needs a medical test at an approved centre. If your spouse’s permit is later cancelled or expires, you keep a six month grace period to sort out your own status.
Attestation of your Bangladeshi marriage certificate
Before UAE authorities will accept your Bangladeshi marriage certificate, it has to pass through a chain of attestation. The UAE has not signed the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille does not satisfy UAE authorities on its own, even though Bangladesh itself joined the Apostille Convention in March 2025. Because the UAE is not a party to that convention, an apostille from Bangladesh is not the route into the UAE system.
The UAE Embassy Dhaka states that your document must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh first. Once it carries that attestation, you can use the UAE’s digital service, which covers the UAE Embassy in Dhaka and UAE MOFA in a single application. Most requests complete in 2 to 3 business days.
Marriage documents by type of marriage
The document you need depends on how you married. Bring the original and one set of copies for attestation.
For a Muslim marriage, you need the Nikah Nama, also called the Kabin Nama. For a Hindu marriage, you need the marriage certificate and the temple certificate. For a Christian marriage, you need the certificate from the priest or church, along with the marriage certificate. For a Buddhist marriage, you need the certificate from the monk and an affidavit.
For a marriage registered under the Special Marriage Act, you need the Registrar’s certificate, the declaration under section 10, the notice of marriage, and an affidavit. If either of you was married before, you also need documents showing how that marriage ended.
Documents you need
Confirm the current checklist with ICP or GDRFA Dubai before you apply, since the exact list depends on which authority handles your case. In general you need your attested marriage document for your type of marriage, your passport valid for at least 6 months, a recent passport photo, a utility bill in your spouse’s name, your spouse’s employment certificate showing income and housing, and valid health insurance. Check with ICP or GDRFA whether your attested marriage document needs to be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified Arabic translation, since this can depend on your case.
How to apply
GDRFA Dubai handles residents of Dubai, through Amer centres, customer happiness centres, and its own digital channels. ICP handles the other six emirates, through its smart services website and app. Your spouse applies as the sponsor once your marriage document is fully attested.
Costs and processing times
GDRFA Dubai lists AED 200 for the residence permit, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, and AED 20 for delivery, plus AED 500 more if you apply from inside the UAE. The issuance fee rises by AED 100 a year for permits covering more than two years. Processing takes about 48 hours.
ICP lists AED 100 for the application, AED 100 a year for issuance, AED 100 for the smart service, and AED 20 for financial security. Processing takes about 2 days.
UAE MOFA charges AED 150 per document for attestation, refunded if a document is rejected, though the service fee is not. You also need to budget separately for your medical test, Emirates ID, and health insurance, since these are charged outside the fees above and are not yet confirmed figures at time of writing.
After you arrive
Apply for your residence permit within 60 days of entering the UAE. Book your medical test at an approved centre in good time, since it is required for everyone aged 18 or over before the permit is issued.
If your spouse is a UAE citizen
Sponsorship by a UAE citizen spouse follows a separate route: a 5 year residence visa with no employment requirement attached. That route is not covered in this guide.
FAQs
Can I use my Bangladeshi apostille instead of UAE attestation, since Bangladesh joined the Apostille Convention?
No. The apostille arrangement only works between countries that have both signed the Hague Convention. The UAE has not signed it, so your document still needs attestation by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the UAE Embassy and UAE MOFA.
Which marriage document do I need if I married under Muslim tradition?
The Nikah Nama, also called the Kabin Nama.
Can my wife sponsor me on the UAE visa?
Yes. GDRFA Dubai confirms that both male and female residents can sponsor a spouse. If you live outside Dubai, confirm the current income rule with ICP.
What happens to my status if my spouse’s job in the UAE ends?
Your residence permit is linked to your spouse’s. If their permit is cancelled or expires, you have a six month grace period to arrange your own status.
How long does attestation of a Bangladeshi marriage document take?
The UAE’s digital service, covering both the UAE Embassy in Dhaka and UAE MOFA, usually completes in 2 to 3 business days once your document already carries Bangladesh Foreign Ministry attestation.
Official sources
UAE MOFA, UAE Embassy Dhaka attestation information
UAE MOFA, FAQs on attestation of documents issued outside the UAE
u.ae, Residence visa for family members (updated 7 August 2026)
u.ae, archived: Sponsoring family residency visa by expatriates
ICP, Issuing residency permit for family members
GDRFA Dubai, Issuance of a residence permit for foreigner family members
HCCH, Apostille Convention status table (updated 30 June 2026)