How to Sponsor Your Parents for a UAE Visit Visa
Bringing your parents to visit you in the UAE is one of the most common visa requests among expatriates. Whether it is for a short holiday, a family celebration, or an extended stay, the UAE offers several visa options for parents of residents. This guide covers every route available in 2026, from short-term visit visas to the newer long-term options, including eligibility, costs, and the application process.
Visit Visa Options for Parents
There are several visa categories your parents can use to enter the UAE, each suited to different situations and lengths of stay.
30-Day Visit Visa: The most straightforward option for a short visit. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry, with the option to extend once for an additional 30 days. Total cost ranges from AED 350 to AED 600 depending on whether you apply through an airline, travel agency, or directly through ICP.
90-Day Visit Visa: Ideal for longer stays. This visa allows your parents to stay for up to 90 days. The cost is approximately AED 650 to AED 1,000. It can be extended for another 90 days, giving a total possible stay of 180 days.
5-Year Multi-Entry Visit Visa: Introduced as part of the UAE's visa reforms, this allows multiple entries over five years with each stay limited to 90 days at a time. This is excellent for parents who visit regularly. The cost is approximately AED 2,500 to AED 3,500 and requires a refundable security deposit of AED 5,000.
1-Year Residence Visa for Parents: If you earn above a certain salary threshold, you can sponsor your parents on a one-year renewable residence visa. This is the best option for parents who want to live in the UAE long-term.
Eligibility Requirements for Sponsoring Parents
To sponsor your parents for a visit visa, you need to meet the following criteria:
For a Standard Visit Visa (30 or 90 days): You must hold a valid UAE residence visa. There is no minimum salary requirement for short-term visit visas. You need a valid passport with at least six months validity. Your parents' passports must also have at least six months validity.
For a One-Year Residence Visa for Parents: The requirements are more stringent. You must earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000 or have an annual income equivalent. Alternatively, you need to show savings of at least AED 1 million in a UAE bank account. You must provide adequate housing, demonstrated through a tenancy contract (Ejari) for a minimum one-bedroom apartment. A good conduct certificate from Dubai Police is required. Your parents must pass a medical fitness test at a government-approved center.
Required Documents
Gather the following documents before starting the application:
Sponsor's documents: Copy of your UAE residence visa and passport, Emirates ID copy, salary certificate from your employer (for residence visa applications), bank statements for the last three to six months, tenancy contract or Ejari certificate, and a passport-sized photograph.
Parents' documents: Original passport with at least six months validity, passport-sized photographs with white background, proof of relationship (birth certificate or family book showing parent-child relationship), travel insurance (recommended but not always mandatory for visit visas), and for residence visas, medical fitness test results and health insurance.
Application Process for Visit Visas
Online Application through ICP: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) portal allows you to apply online. Create an account, select the visit visa category, upload required documents, and pay the fee. Processing takes two to five working days. This is the most cost-effective option.
Through Airlines: Emirates, Flydubai, and other UAE-based airlines offer visa services for passengers booking flights. The visa cost is added to the ticket price, and the airline handles the application. This is convenient but usually slightly more expensive.
Through Travel Agencies and Typing Centers: Licensed travel agencies and typing centers across Dubai process visit visa applications. They charge a service fee of AED 100 to AED 300 on top of government fees. This is a good option if you want someone to handle the paperwork for you.
Through GDRFA Amer Centers: In Dubai, you can visit an Amer center to apply in person. Bring all required documents, and the staff will guide you through the process. This is helpful for first-time applicants who want face-to-face assistance.
Application Process for One-Year Residence Visa
Step 1: Apply for Entry Permit. Submit the application through the GDRFA app or website, or visit an Amer center. Include all required documents and pay the entry permit fee of approximately AED 1,150 to AED 1,200.
Step 2: Parents Enter the UAE. Once the entry permit is approved, your parents must enter the UAE within 60 days. The entry permit is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
Step 3: Medical Fitness Test. Within 30 days of arrival, your parents must undergo a medical fitness test at a DHA-approved center. This includes blood tests for communicable diseases and a chest X-ray. The test costs approximately AED 320 to AED 500 per person.
Step 4: Emirates ID Registration. After passing the medical test, apply for an Emirates ID through an ICP service center. The cost is AED 370 for a three-year card. Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be collected.
Step 5: Health Insurance. Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residents. You must provide health insurance coverage for your parents before the visa is stamped. Basic plans for elderly parents start from AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 per year depending on age and coverage level. Parents over 60 may face higher premiums.
Step 6: Visa Stamping. Once all steps are complete, the residence visa is stamped in your parents' passports. The total process from entry to visa stamping typically takes two to four weeks.
Costs Breakdown
For a 30-day visit visa, expect to pay AED 350 to AED 600 total. For a 90-day visit visa, the cost is AED 650 to AED 1,000. For a one-year residence visa, the total cost including entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, visa stamping, and health insurance ranges from AED 7,000 to AED 20,000 per parent, with health insurance being the largest variable cost.
Extending a Visit Visa
Visit visas can be extended without your parents leaving the country. For a 30-day visa, you can apply for a 30-day extension through ICP or an Amer center for approximately AED 600 to AED 700. For a 90-day visa, a 90-day extension costs approximately AED 900 to AED 1,000. Extensions must be applied for before the current visa expires. Overstaying without an extension results in fines of AED 125 per day.
Tips for a Smooth Application
Apply at least two weeks before your parents' planned travel date to account for processing times. Ensure all documents are attested or notarized as required by the specific embassy or authority. For elderly parents, consider getting travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage, as healthcare in the UAE is expensive without insurance. Keep digital and physical copies of all documents throughout the process. If your parents hold passports from visa-on-arrival eligible countries, they may enter on a tourist visa first and then switch to a sponsored visit visa within the UAE, though this route has limitations.
Sponsoring parents for a UAE visit is a well-established process with clear guidelines. Start with the right visa category based on the length of stay, prepare your documents thoroughly, and allow sufficient processing time for a stress-free reunion with your family in the UAE.