Hey there,
I am in the exact same situation as you. I am going through all this right now.
We're going over there for my husband's work - he got a job over there and has been sponsored by his employer.

As for me, however, I am looking for work at the moment.

To answer your question, the best option is for you to be sponsored, and for you to then sponsor your wife - NOT for her to get her own sponsorship, for the reason that if she leaves her job, she loses her sponsorship and will have to leave the country, UNLESS she finds another company to sponsor her, which is not guaranteed. If she's on your visa, then as long as you are there, she is there.


You will have to work hard for a sponsorship. They don't come knocking on your door. Before you make any decision, you need to ensure that you will be able to get a sponsorship for yourself.

Once you get sponsorship from your employer for work, you will then be allowed to sponsor your wife for residency. Note that these are two different visas.
When you have sponsored your wife for residency, she can look for employment. She cannot work on the residency visa that you give her.
Once she finds work however, her employer will give her all the appropriate permissions.


You also need SO MUCH PAPERWORK.

My husband is fine, his company is sorting him out.
But as for me.

I have to have my marriage certificate verified by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Once that's verified, I then have to have it attested by the UAE Consulate.
Basically I have to prove that I'm his wife.

Documentation you will need;

- Lots of copies of your passports
- Lots of passport photos
- Your original marriage certificate, attested by Foreign Affairs and the UAE Consulate, and lots of copies
- Your letter of employment also stating how much you will be earning
- She will need a MEDICAL CERTIFICATE from the appropriate clinic

As well as lots of other tidbits.

it's all very confusing and will take a while to understand.
Have a look at this website, they also have good info.
Gulfnews: Residency visa for your wife


If you have a specific question, just ask