Bringing your parents to live with you in the UAE is a wonderful way to keep your family together. The UAE’s Family Visa system allows expatriate residents to sponsor immediate family members for residency in the country. In this comprehensive guide, we explain what the family visa is and focus on how you can use it to sponsor your parents in the UAE.
We’ll cover who is eligible to sponsor their mother and father (and in-laws), what the requirements are, the application process, costs in 2025, and important rules to know. We’ll also highlight how Virtuzone can assist you at each step, making the process smoother.
What is a Family Visa in the UAE?
A Family Visa in the UAE is a type of residency visa that allows an expatriate resident to sponsor certain family members to live with them in the country. In the UAE, any resident (either an employer or an employee) with a valid visa can sponsor immediate family if they meet minimum income conditions. This typically includes sponsoring your spouse and children, and under specific conditions, you can sponsor your parents as well. A family visa grants your relatives legal residence in Dubai, meaning they can live, access basic services, and enter/exit the UAE during the visa’s validity.
Sponsoring Your Parents in the UAE
Sponsoring parents (or parents-in-law) falls under the family visa category but has stricter requirements than sponsoring a spouse or child. The UAE government understands the importance of caring for one’s elderly parents, but to prevent abuse of the system, they set specific conditions to ensure sponsors can adequately support their parents.
Eligibility Requirements for Parents
For parents to be eligible for sponsorship under the Family Visa:
- Health Requirements: Parents must pass the mandatory medical fitness test conducted by an approved health centre in Dubai. The test typically includes screening for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis (TB).
- Age and Dependence: Generally, sponsored parents should be elderly and dependent on the sponsor. The UAE immigration authorities require proof that your parents have no other caretaker or financial support back home, reinforcing their dependency on you as their sole provider.
- Insurance: Parents must be covered by valid health insurance throughout their stay in Dubai, covering at least AED 150,000 (USD 40,000) annually. Given their age, comprehensive insurance coverage may be required to ensure they are adequately protected.
- Documentation: Parents need valid passports with at least six months’ validity remaining, recent passport-sized photographs, and any additional documents proving dependency or special circumstances, such as death certificates or divorce papers if sponsoring only one parent.
Who Can Sponsor Their Parents?
To sponsor your parents, ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You must hold a valid UAE residency visa.
- Earn a monthly salary of AED 20,000 (USD 5,400) or AED 19,000 (USD 5,170) with employer-provided accommodation.
- Demonstrate sole financial responsibility for your parents through an affidavit from your home country’s embassy or consulate.
- Sponsor both parents together, unless exceptional circumstances (death or legal separation) apply.
- Have suitable accommodation (typically at least a two-bedroom apartment or house).
- Pay a refundable security deposit of AED 2,500 (USD 680) per parent (AED 5,000/USD 1,360), which will be refunded upon visa cancellation.
How to Become Eligible to Sponsor Your Parents (If You Aren’t Yet)
If you currently do not meet eligibility requirements, consider the following steps:
- Negotiate with your employer for a higher salary or a suitable housing allowance.
- Establish your own business in Dubai to secure an investor or partner visa, for which Virtuzone can provide comprehensive assistance.
- Gather necessary documents proactively: attested birth certificates, affidavits of support, and tenancy agreements.
Steps to Apply for Your Parents’ Family Visa
1. Gather Required Documents
- Sponsor’s passport, residency visa, Emirates ID, and salary certificates.
- Parents’ passports, passport-sized photographs, and health insurance.
- An attested birth certificate proving your relationship.
- An affidavit from your consulate proving you are the sole supporter.
- Valid tenancy agreement (Ejari).
2. Apply for Entry Permit
- Submit the application through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) portal online or at the Amer centres and gain their entry permit.
- Pay entry permit fees, which are approximately AED 200 to 300 (USD 50 to USD 80) per parent.
3. Pay Security Deposit
- Deposit AED 2,500 (USD 680) per parent, refundable upon visa cancellation.
4. Medical Test and Insurance
- Arrange for medical screening tests (cost approximately AED 320/USD 87 each).
- Secure mandatory health insurance. Typical costs range from AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 (USD 400 to USD 800) per parent annually.
5. Apply for a Residence Visa
- Submit medical certificates, Emirates ID application, and necessary visa stamping documents.
- Pay residence visa and Emirates ID fees (about AED 400/USD 100 per parent).
6. Receive Emirates ID
- Collect Emirates ID cards from the designated post office or via courier.
7. Annually Renew Visa
Your parents’ family visa is only valid as long as your visa is valid. You must renew their family visa along with your own visa.
Costs for Sponsoring Parents in the UAE
Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved with sponsoring your parents in the UAE in 2025:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship File Opening | 380 AED | Required to initiate the sponsorship process. |
| Entry Permit (per parent) | 450 AED | Allows parents to enter the UAE legally. |
| Change of Status (per parent) | 640 AED | Applicable if parents are already in the UAE on a different visa. |
| Medical Fitness Test (per parent) | 320 AED | Mandatory health screening at approved medical centres. |
| Emirates ID (1-year, per parent) | 370 AED | Identification card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. |
| Visa Stamping (per parent) | 460 AED | Endorsement of the residence visa in the passport. |
| Security Deposit (per parent) | 2,500 AED | Refundable deposit held by the immigration department. |
| Health Insurance (per parent, annually) | 1,500–3,000 AED | Mandatory; cost varies based on coverage and age. |
| Typing and Service Fees | 100–150 AED | Charges for document processing and application typing services. |
Estimated Total for Both Parents: Approximately AED 9,000 to 12,000 (USD 2,450 to USD 3,260).
Important Rules and Conditions for Sponsoring Parents
It’s worth reiterating some special conditions and rules that apply when you use a family visa to bring your parents to live in the UAE with you:
Validity and Renewal
A parent’s residence visa is usually valid for 1 year at a time. You must renew it every year if you want your parents to continue staying in Dubai legally. The renewal process will involve renewing their medical insurance, repeating the medical fitness test, and paying the visa renewal fee for the next year. Essentially, it’s similar to the first time, except the entry permit and deposit may not be needed again. Mark your calendar to start the renewal process at least a few weeks before expiry each year.
Linked to Sponsor’s Visa
Your parents’ visas are tied to your residency status. If your own employment or investor visa is cancelled or expires, your parents’ visas will also be cancelled (or will expire shortly thereafter) unless you take action to sponsor them under a new visa of yours. There is usually a grace period (often 30 days) after a visa cancellation or expiry during which dependents can remain in the country. If you lose your job or plan to change jobs, you should inform the immigration authority and ensure your parents’ status is maintained (for instance, by transferring sponsorship to your new visa once you get it).
No Work Permitted for Parents
A residence visa for parents is a dependent visa, not a work permit. This means your parents are not allowed to work for a UAE company while on this visa. They can live in the UAE, but if they wish to take up employment, the hiring company would need to sponsor them on a work visa separately.
Must Enter the UAE Regularly
Once the visa is issued, your parents should not stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months at a stretch, or the visa could become invalid. (Golden Visa holders are exempt from the 6-month rule, but normal 1-3 year visas are subject to it.)
Accommodation Requirements
Although not always explicitly stated in law, Dubai officials typically expect that you have adequate accommodation for your parents. A larger flat (two-bedroom or more) is usually needed, since you are bringing in additional adults. Your tenancy contract should reflect enough space. In some cases, authorities have asked for a minimum housing condition for parent visas.
Obligation to Cancel on Departure
If your parents decide to go back to your home country permanently or if you decide not to renew their visa, you must cancel their UAE visa. This involves applying for visa cancellation through GDRFA and then retrieving your deposit. It’s important to properly cancel to avoid fines. If a parent passes away in the UAE, the visa should also be cancelled, and the deposit can be claimed with the death certificate.
Compliance with Law
As the sponsor, you are held responsible for your parents’ compliance with UAE laws. Make sure they do not overstay their visa and that they abide by local rules. Any legal violation by them could reflect on you as the sponsor. Fortunately, this is rarely an issue for most law-abiding families, but it’s a point to be aware of.
By understanding and following these conditions, you can ensure that having your parents in Dubai is a smooth experience. The UAE is quite accommodating to family unification, provided sponsors respect the rules in place.
Upgrade Your Visa: UAE Golden Visa and Green Visa
If you don’t like the idea of having to renew your parents’ family visa annually, you may want to look at a visa with a longer validity period. The UAE Golden Visa offers significant advantages if you meet the eligibility criteria. Since the Golden Visa is valid for 10 years, your parents’ visa will also be valid for 10 years. Golden visa holders don’t have to pay a security deposit for their parents’ sponsorship, and they also don’t need to meet the stringent salary requirements.
Alternatively, if you are able to sponsor your parents on a green visa, your parents will be able to stay in the UAE for 5 years without having to renew their visa. For a more detailed look into this option, see our article “UAE Green Visa 2025: Eligibility, Costs, Benefits and How to Apply“.
Need Help? Contact Virtuzone
Sponsoring family members in Dubai can involve complex processes. Virtuzone specialises in visa and business setup services, simplifying the entire process. Our professional team manages documentation and government liaison, ensuring your family reunion is seamless.
Contact Virtuzone today for a free consultation and let us assist you in bringing your parents to Dubai quickly and smoothly.
FAQs
Can Golden Visa Holders Sponsor Parents More Easily?
Yes, Golden Visa holders benefit from fewer restrictions when sponsoring their parents. They are not subject to specific salary requirements and are exempt from paying the security deposit.
Can I Sponsor My In-laws?
Yes, you can sponsor your in-laws provided you can submit proof of relationship, such as a marriage certificate, and you fulfil all other sponsorship eligibility criteria.
Can I Sponsor My Stepfather or Stepmother?
Yes, sponsoring your stepfather or stepmother is usually permitted if you provide official documents confirming the relationship, including marriage and custody certificates.
Can a Daughter or Unmarried Expat Woman Sponsor Her Parents?
Yes, the UAE allows both male and female residents, including unmarried or married daughters, to sponsor their parents if they meet the necessary requirements. Married daughters might be required to submit a no-objection letter from their spouse in certain cases. The primary conditions for sponsorship include financial stability and the provision of proper documentation.
Do I Have to Sponsor Both Parents? What if I Only Want to Bring One?
Typically, both parents must be sponsored together unless one parent is deceased or the parents are legally separated. In these exceptional cases, proper documentation such as a death certificate or divorce decree must be provided. Special approval might also be possible if one parent is medically unable to travel.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Parent’s Visa?
The process usually takes between 2 to 4 weeks, assuming all required documents are prepared and submitted correctly. Obtaining the entry permit generally takes about 5–10 working days, and the subsequent steps, such as medical testing and visa stamping, can take an additional week or two. Delays may occur if there are issues with document attestation or submission. Expedited services can accelerate certain steps, and using a service like Virtuzone can help streamline the process.
