Dubai Offers Residence Permits for GCC Families in 2026

Dubai has introduced a new service allowing the wives and children of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals who possess foreign passports to obtain residence permits without any additional conditions. This initiative is published on the official portal of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFAD) and is applicable in 2026.

The service specifically targets family members of GCC citizens traveling on non-GCC passports, providing them with a legal pathway to reside in Dubai. The GCC comprises six Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

Under this new provision, if a GCC national's dependents hold foreign passports, they can still apply for a residence permit in Dubai through the GDRFAD. This initiative aims to facilitate the residency process for mixed-nationality families, ensuring that the foreign passport's country of origin does not impose additional requirements, thus broadening the scope for various nationalities.