Bringing your parents to live with you in the UAE is possible through the UAE family sponsorship system. Residents who meet specific income, accommodation, and documentation requirements can sponsor their parents for a residence visa and keep their family together in the UAE. The process is regulated by the UAE immigration authorities and may vary slightly between emirates.
To sponsor your parents, you must first hold a valid UAE residence visa. Employees, business owners, investors, freelancers, Green Visa holders, and Golden Visa holders may be eligible to apply if they meet the required conditions.
One of the most important requirements is the sponsor’s income. Parent sponsorship generally requires a significantly higher salary than sponsoring a spouse or children. Many immigration authorities require a monthly income of around AED 20,000, although specific requirements may vary depending on the emirate and individual circumstances.
Accommodation is another key factor. Sponsors are typically required to provide suitable housing and may need to submit a registered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai). A two-bedroom accommodation is commonly requested when sponsoring parents.
You will need several documents to support the application. These usually include your passport copy, Emirates ID, residence visa copy, salary certificate or employment contract, tenancy contract, and bank statements. You must also provide documents proving your relationship with your parents, such as an attested birth certificate.
Your parents must provide copies of their passports, passport-size photographs, and any additional documents requested by immigration authorities. All foreign documents may require attestation and legal translation into Arabic before submission.
The application process generally starts with obtaining an entry permit for your parents. Once they enter the UAE, they must complete the required medical fitness examination and Emirates ID procedures before the residence visa is issued.
Medical insurance is often required for parent sponsorship, especially for elderly parents. Insurance costs can vary depending on age, medical history, and coverage level. Applicants should budget for this expense before starting the process.
Processing times vary, but many applications are completed within a few weeks if all documents are properly prepared. Delays most commonly occur due to missing attestations, incomplete documentation, or housing verification issues.
Some special cases may qualify under humanitarian grounds, particularly when one parent is deceased or when exceptional family circumstances exist. Additional approvals may be required in such situations.
Documents Required
- Valid passport of sponsor
- Emirates ID
- UAE residence visa copy
- Salary certificate or labour contract
- Bank statements
- Tenancy contract (Ejari)
- Attested birth certificate proving relationship
- Parents’ passports
- Passport-size photographs
- Medical insurance (where required)
- Medical fitness certificate after arrival in UAE
Step-By-Step Process
- Verify eligibility requirements.
- Collect and attest required documents.
- Apply for parents’ entry permit.
- Parents enter the UAE.
- Complete medical fitness test.
- Apply for Emirates ID.
- Submit residence visa application.
- Obtain approved residence visa.
Yes, in certain circumstances such as death of the other parent or humanitarian cases, approvals may be granted. Additional documentation is usually required.
In many cases, health insurance is required for parent sponsorship applications, particularly for senior citizens.
Parent residence visas are commonly issued for one year and can be renewed if eligibility requirements continue to be met.
Yes. UAE Green Visa and Golden Visa holders generally have family sponsorship rights, subject to applicable rules and requirements.
