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How to Sponsor Parents Visa in UAE: Complete 2025 Guide

Understanding UAE Family Visa for Parents Sponsorship

The UAE offers expatriate residents the opportunity to sponsor immediate family members, including parents, through its Family Visa system. This allows your parents to legally reside in the country, maintaining family bonds while enjoying the UAE's exceptional quality of life.
Unlike spouse and children sponsorship, parent sponsorship has more stringent requirements to ensure sponsors can adequately support their elderly relatives. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about successfully bringing your parents to live with you in the UAE.

Key Benefits of Sponsoring Your Parents in UAE

  • Family reunification - Keep your family together regardless of where you work
  • Long-term stay - Parents can legally reside in the UAE for as long as your visa remains valid
  • Access to services - Sponsored parents receive Emirates ID cards and can access essential services
  • Multiple entry/exit - Freedom to travel in and out of the UAE
  • Potential pathway to Golden Visa eligibility for longer-term security

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsoring Parents in UAE

Who Can Sponsor Their Parents?

To qualify as a sponsor for your parents in the UAE, you must meet these essential criteria:
  • Hold a valid UAE residency visa
  • Earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000 (approximately USD 5,400)
  • OR earn AED 19,000 (USD 5,170) with employer-provided accommodation
  • Demonstrate sole financial responsibility for your parents
  • Have suitable accommodation (typically a two-bedroom apartment or larger)
  • Be prepared to pay a refundable security deposit of AED 2,500 per parent

Parent Eligibility Criteria

For parents to qualify for sponsorship under the UAE Family Visa:
  • They must pass medical fitness tests screening for communicable diseases
  • Have valid passports with at least six months validity
  • Be covered by comprehensive health insurance with minimum coverage of AED 150,000 annually
  • Demonstrate dependency on the sponsor (typically through legal affidavits)
  • Both parents should typically be sponsored together (exceptions apply for widowed or divorced parents)

Complete Step-by-Step Process for Parent Sponsorship in UAE

Step 1: Document Collection and Preparation

Gather these essential documents before beginning the application:
  • Sponsor documents:
  • Valid passport copy
  • UAE residency visa copy
  • Emirates ID
  • Salary certificate or employment contract
  • Valid tenancy contract (Ejari)
  • Parent documents:
  • Valid passports (with 6+ months validity)
  • Passport-sized photographs (white background)
  • Attested birth certificate proving relationship
  • Affidavit from your consulate/embassy proving sole financial support
  • Marriage certificate (if sponsoring mother through father or vice versa)
  • Death certificate or divorce papers (if sponsoring only one parent)
All foreign documents must be legally attested for UAE validity, typically through:
  1. Notarization in country of origin
  2. Authentication by the foreign ministry
  3. Attestation by UAE embassy in that country
  4. Final attestation by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Step 2: Apply for Entry Permit

The entry permit is the first official document allowing your parents to enter the UAE for residency purposes:
  1. Submit application through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) portal
  2. Alternative application channels include:
  • In-person at Amer centers
  • Through typing centers
  • Via the UAE ICA Smart Services app
  1. Pay entry permit fees (approximately AED 450 per parent)
  2. Receive electronic entry permit (typically issued within 5-10 working days)

Step 3: Parents' Arrival and Status Change

Once your parents arrive in the UAE:
  1. If entering on the new entry permit:
  • Parents can enter through any UAE port of entry
  • Entry permit validation is automatic upon arrival
  1. If parents are already in the UAE on visit visa:
  • Apply for change of status (approximately AED 640 per parent)
  • Status change must be completed before current visa expires

Step 4: Pay Security Deposit

A refundable security deposit must be paid to the immigration authorities:
  • AED 2,500 per parent (AED 5,000 total for both parents)
  • Payment can be made online or at authorized centers
  • Receipt must be kept safe for future refund when visas are cancelled

Step 5: Medical Fitness Test

All residency visa applicants must undergo medical screening:
  1. Book appointments at government-approved health centers
  2. Tests typically include:
  • Blood tests (infectious diseases screening)
  • Chest X-ray (tuberculosis screening)
  • General health examination
  1. Cost is approximately AED 320 per parent
  2. Results usually available within 2-3 working days

Step 6: Health Insurance Arrangement

Before visa issuance, valid health insurance is mandatory:
  1. Purchase appropriate health insurance meeting minimum requirements
  2. Coverage must be at least AED 150,000 annually
  3. Insurance costs typically range from AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 annually per parent
  4. For older parents, premium costs may be higher
  5. Several insurance providers offer specialized senior citizen packages

Step 7: Residency Visa Stamping

Once medical results clear and insurance is arranged:
  1. Submit passport for visa stamping
  2. Pay visa stamping fees (approximately AED 460 per parent)
  3. Apply for Emirates ID (approximately AED 370 per parent)
  4. Processing typically takes 3-5 working days
  5. Collect stamped passport and Emirates ID application receipt

Step 8: Emirates ID Collection

The final step in completing the residency process:
  1. Emirates ID cards are typically ready within 7-10 working days
  2. Collection options include:
  • Designated post office pickup
  • Courier delivery (for additional fee)
  • Collection from Emirates ID center

Comprehensive Cost Breakdown for Sponsoring Parents in UAE (2025)

Estimated Total Cost for Both Parents: AED 9,000-12,000 (approximately USD 2,450-3,260)
Additional potential costs:
  • Document attestation fees (varies by country)
  • Translation fees for non-English/Arabic documents
  • Transportation and accommodation during application process
  • Medical insurance premium increases for elderly parents
  • Expedited service fees (if applicable)

Critical Rules and Conditions for Parent Sponsorship in UAE

Visa Validity and Renewal Requirements

  • Standard parent sponsorship visas are valid for 1 year
  • Annual renewal required, following similar process as initial application
  • Renewal should begin 30 days before expiry to avoid fines
  • Medical test, insurance renewal, and fee payment required for each renewal

Sponsor Responsibility Limitations

  • Parent visas are linked to sponsor's visa status
  • If sponsor's visa is cancelled, parent visas become invalid
  • Grace period of approximately 30 days applies after sponsor visa cancellation
  • Sponsor is legally responsible for parents' compliance with UAE laws

Important Residence Restrictions

  • No work permitted on parent dependency visa
  • Parents must not remain outside UAE for more than 6 consecutive months
  • Adequate accommodation must be maintained
  • Visa must be formally cancelled if parents permanently leave UAE
  • In case of parent's death, visa must be cancelled using death certificate

Options for Long-Term Parent Sponsorship in UAE

UAE Golden Visa Benefits for Family Sponsorship

The UAE Golden Visa offers significant advantages for parent sponsorship:
  • 10-year validity without annual renewal requirements
  • No security deposit required for parent sponsorship
  • No minimum salary requirements for sponsoring parents
  • 6-month grace period after visa expiration
  • No restriction on time spent outside UAE
Eligibility pathways include investment, specialized talents, scientific achievements, and other categories. Consult with specialists to evaluate your Golden Visa eligibility.

UAE Green Visa for Parent Sponsorship

The Green Visa provides a middle-ground option:
  • 5-year validity without annual renewals
  • More flexible sponsorship requirements
  • Available to skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors
  • Allows parents extended stay in the UAE
  • Contains fewer restrictions than standard family visas

Frequently Asked Questions About Sponsoring Parents in UAE

Can Golden Visa holders sponsor parents more easily?

Yes. Golden Visa holders face fewer restrictions when sponsoring parents. They are exempt from minimum salary requirements and security deposits, and the sponsored parents' visas are valid for the same 10-year period.

Can I sponsor my in-laws in UAE?

Yes. You can sponsor your spouse's parents provided you submit proof of relationship through a marriage certificate and meet all other sponsorship eligibility criteria including income requirements.

Can I sponsor just one parent instead of both?

Generally no, unless exceptional circumstances exist. Both parents typically must be sponsored together unless:
  • One parent is deceased (death certificate required)
  • Parents are legally separated or divorced (legal documentation required)
  • One parent is medically unable to travel (medical certificate required)

Can unmarried daughters or female residents sponsor parents?

Yes. Both male and female UAE residents can sponsor their parents regardless of marital status, provided they meet the financial and documentation requirements. In some cases, married daughters may need to provide a no-objection letter from their spouse.

How long does the parent sponsorship process take?

Typically 2-4 weeks for the complete process, assuming all documentation is in order. The entry permit phase takes approximately 5-10 working days, followed by another 7-14 days for medical testing, visa stamping, and Emirates ID processing. Using professional visa services can help streamline the process.

What happens if my employment changes after sponsoring my parents?

If you change employers, you must:
  1. Transfer your own residency to the new employer
  2. Update your parents' sponsorship details
  3. Provide proof of continued financial capability
  4. Submit updated salary certificates and employment documentation

Can my sponsored parents access healthcare in the UAE?

Yes. With mandatory health insurance and Emirates ID, sponsored parents can access both private and public healthcare facilities throughout the UAE. The quality of accessible healthcare depends on the insurance coverage purchased.

Conclusion: Making the Process Smoother

Bringing your parents to live with you in the UAE is a meaningful way to maintain family connections while working abroad. While the process involves multiple steps and documentation, proper preparation makes it manageable.
For those seeking assistance, professional visa services can handle document preparation, application submission, and follow-ups with authorities, significantly reducing stress and processing time. These services typically cost between AED 1,000-2,500 but can save countless hours and potential complications.
Whether handling the process yourself or seeking professional help, understanding the requirements and planning ahead are key to a successful parent sponsorship application in the UAE.
2025-05-14 14:49