Enter your monthly salary to check it against the minimum.
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Do I earn enough to sponsor my family?
Check whether your salary is high enough to sponsor your spouse, children or parents in the Gulf, and how much you're short if it isn't. Covers the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
AED
Total monthly salary as written on your employment contract.
With it, the minimum drops to AED 3,000.
How the family sponsorship salary check works
Each Gulf country publishes a minimum monthly salary for sponsoring family on a residence visa. The checker compares the salary on your contract with that minimum for the country and family members you pick. Where a country sets a lower minimum when you have suitable housing, answering "yes" to accommodation switches to that figure. If you're under the line, the gap is your monthly shortfall. Thresholds are as published and reviewed on 23 Sept 2026; they do change.
- Sponsor
- The resident (you) whose visa and salary the family members' residence permits depend on.
- Contract salary
- Total monthly pay as written on your employment contract, not what you negotiate verbally.
- Accommodation rule
- In the UAE and Qatar a lower minimum applies if suitable housing is provided or owned.
- Shortfall
- How much more a month your contract salary needs to show to meet the minimum.
Family visa salary examples across the Gulf
The same check the tool runs, on a few typical salaries.
| Country | Sponsoring | Salary | Minimum | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Spouse & children | AED 3,500 | AED 4,000 | AED 500 short |
| UAE | Spouse & children, with housing | AED 3,500 | AED 3,000 | Eligible ✓ |
| UAE | Parents | AED 18,000 | AED 20,000 | AED 2,000 short |
| Qatar | Spouse & children | QAR 8,000 | QAR 10,000 | QAR 2,000 short |
| Kuwait | Spouse & children | KWD 750 | KWD 800 | KWD 50 short |
| Bahrain | Spouse & children | BHD 450 | BHD 400 | Eligible ✓ |
Monthly, local currency. Thresholds as published, reviewed 23 Sept 2026.
Before you apply for a family visa
- Estimate only — your contract and the employer's final calculation can differ. Rules reviewed Sep 2026.
- Salary is only one requirement. Expect to show a tenancy contract, attested marriage and birth certificates, and medical insurance.
- Thresholds are set by immigration authorities and change without much notice; confirm with the official portal before paying any fees.
- Some job categories and free zones have their own rules. Your company's PRO or HR team can confirm what applies to you.
- Saudi Arabia and Oman are coming soon while the rules are verified.
Data Sources
- u.ae — Family sponsorship requirements (2026-09-23)
- Sponsoring parents in the UAE (salary threshold) (2026-09-23)
- Qatar family residence requirements (2026-09-23)
- Kuwait Private Sector Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 (summary) (2026-09-23)
- Bahrain Labour Law No. 36 of 2012 (summary) (2026-09-23)
Visa guides for each Gulf country
Full residence, work permit and family visa steps, documents and fees for each country:
UAE visa guideQatar visa guideKuwait visa guideBahrain visa guideSaudi Arabia visa guideOman visa guideVisa grace period calculatorAll visa guides →
Minimum salaries at a glance
- UAE, spouse & children: AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 with accommodation
- UAE, parents: AED 20,000 a month, or AED 19,000 with a 2-bedroom home
- Qatar, spouse & children: QAR 10,000 a month, or QAR 6,000 with employer-provided family housing
- Kuwait, spouse & children: KWD 800 a month
- Bahrain, spouse & children: BHD 400 a month
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to sponsor my family in the UAE?
To sponsor a spouse and children in the UAE, the published minimum is AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 with accommodation. You will also need a tenancy contract, attested marriage and birth certificates, and medical insurance for each family member.
How much salary do I need to sponsor my parents in the UAE?
Sponsoring parents has a much higher bar: AED 20,000 a month, or AED 19,000 with a 2-bedroom home. This checker covers parent sponsorship for the UAE only for now.
What salary do I need for a family visa in Qatar?
Qatar's published minimum is QAR 10,000 a month, or QAR 6,000 with employer-provided family housing. If your employer gives you family accommodation, the lower figure applies. Ask HR for a letter confirming the housing if you rely on it.
What is the family visa salary requirement in Kuwait and Bahrain?
Kuwait requires KWD 800 a month and Bahrain BHD 400 a month to sponsor a spouse and children. Expect to show proof of accommodation and attested family documents as well.
Does the family visa salary mean basic or total salary?
This checker compares against the total monthly salary written on your employment contract, which is how the thresholds are published. If your contract shows a low figure and the rest is paid as bonuses or cash allowances, ask your employer to update the contract before you apply.
I'm short of the minimum. What are my options?
The usual routes are a pay rise written into your contract, employer-provided family housing where the country offers a lower threshold for it, or a new job that pays above the line. Our salary negotiation email generator helps with the first; live Gulf jobs cover the last.
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