Sponsoring your parents in the UAE

Salary requirement, deposit, insurance and the steps to bring parents on a residence visa.

United Arab Emirates3 min readLast updated 29 Oct 2026Fact-checked 29 Oct 2026

In short

Expats can sponsor parents on a one-year renewable residence. Dubai requires AED 20,000 salary or AED 19,000 plus a 3-bedroom home, a refundable deposit and health insurance for each parent.

Salary
AED 20,000 (Dubai)
Validity
1 year
Deposit
AED 5,000 per parent
Insurance
Mandatory

Step by step

Your progress0 / 3

Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step to see what to do.

  1. Plans for over-60s are pricier; compare early.

    1 week

Documents checklist

Documents ready0 / 4

Do’s and don’ts

Do

  • Attest birth certificate showing parents

Don’t

  • Don’t forget renewal each year

Cost estimator

Your estimateAED 6,000 – 12,000

Untick what doesn't apply to you. These are rough figures and fees change often, so check with the authority.

Watch out

  • Rules differ by emirate; check yours before applying.

Common questions

Can parents work?

Not on a family visa without a separate work permit.

Background and more detail

Expats can sponsor parents on a one-year renewable residence. Dubai requires AED 20,000 salary or AED 19,000 plus a 3-bedroom home, a refundable deposit and health insurance for each parent.

Key facts

  • Salary: AED 20,000 (Dubai)
  • Validity: 1 year
  • Deposit: AED 5,000 per parent
  • Insurance: Mandatory

Steps

  1. Get insurance – Plans for over-60s are pricier; compare early.
  2. Apply for entry permit – GDRFA or ICP with tenancy contract.
  3. Medical and Emirates ID – After arrival.

Watch out

  • Rules differ by emirate; check yours before applying.

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