Sponsoring parents for a UAE visa is one of the most common requests we handle at our centre. The rules differ depending on whether you are a UAE citizen or an expatriate resident, and whether you want a visit visa or a residence visa. This article covers both paths — the salary thresholds, the documents you need, and the ICP visit visa fees.
By the end, you will know exactly which visa type your parents qualify for and what to prepare before you visit our centre.
Eligibility — who qualifies to sponsor parents
Visit visa (available to residents and citizens)
Parents are classified as first-degree relatives. If you are a UAE resident, you can sponsor your parents for a visit visa. The minimum salary requirement is AED 4,000 per month for first-degree relatives.
If sponsoring through Emirates Airlines, the minimum salary for parents and parents-in-law is also AED 4,000.
Residence visa (UAE citizens only)
A UAE citizen's parent who holds a foreign passport can get a UAE residence visa for 5 years without having to work in the UAE. The sponsor must be the UAE citizen.
Who does not qualify
The sources do not list specific exclusions beyond failing to meet the salary threshold or relationship criteria above.
Required documents
The following documents are required for sponsoring a parent visit visa:
- Applicant's passport — Must be valid for no less than 6 months. Colour copy of the external cover page.
- Personal photo — Colour photograph of the parent.
- Proof of kinship / relationship — Documentation proving the parent-child relationship. Generally, a birth certificate is used. This may require translation and attestation.
- Valid health insurance policy — Mandatory coverage within the UAE for the duration of the visit.
- Return travel ticket — Copy proving the visitor intends to leave the UAE.
- Tenancy contract (Ejari) or hotel booking — Proof of accommodation during the stay.
- Sponsor's UAE residency / ID — Valid passport copy and UAE residency visa copy, or valid UAE ID copy (front and back).
- Sponsor's salary certificate / labour contract / trade licence — Proves the sponsor meets the AED 4,000 monthly salary requirement. Must be a valid copy (Arabic if from a government or free zone authority).
Fees and costs
Visit visa fees (via ICP)
Application fee: AED 100 (government fee)
Visit visa issuance — single entry per month: AED 100 (government fee)
Visit visa issuance — multiple entry per month: AED 200 (government fee)
Smart service fee: AED 100 (government fee)
A single-entry visit visa costs a minimum of AED 300 in government fees (application + issuance + smart service).
Residence visa fees for parents
The exact fee for parent residence visa processing varies by case — our team will give you the precise figure for your situation.
Additional costs: medical fitness examination, health insurance, translation and attestation of kinship documents, and typing centre fees are not included in the visit visa fees above.
Process and timeline
For a visit visa
1. Confirm your salary — Ensure you meet the AED 4,000 minimum for first-degree relatives 2. Prepare documents — Gather passport copies, kinship proof, health insurance, accommodation proof, and return ticket 3. Submit application — Apply through the ICP platform or visit an Amer centre 4. Receive entry permit — Once approved, your parent receives the entry permit to travel to the UAE 5. Parent enters the UAE — They present the entry permit at immigration on arrival
For a residence visa (UAE citizens)
1. Submit application — Apply through ICP as a UAE citizen sponsor 2. Entry permit — Parent receives the entry permit and travels to the UAE 3. Medical fitness test — Complete the medical examination at an approved centre 4. Emirates ID — Apply for the parent's Emirates ID 5. Visa stamping — The 5-year residence visa is stamped in the parent's passport
The official processing timeline is not published in ICP sources. Timelines depend on document completeness and processing workloads.
Common questions
Can I sponsor my parents for a visit visa in the UAE?
Yes. Parents are first-degree relatives, and a resident sponsor can apply for a visit visa for them. You need a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000.
What is the minimum salary to sponsor parents for a visit visa?
AED 4,000 per month. This threshold applies whether you apply through ICP or through Emirates Airlines sponsorship.
Can a UAE citizen sponsor their parents for a residence visa?
Yes. A UAE citizen's parent who holds a foreign passport can get a UAE residence visa for 5 years without having to work in the UAE. The UAE citizen is the sponsor.
Do my parents need health insurance for a UAE visit visa?
Yes. A valid health insurance policy within the UAE is required for the duration of the visit. Our team can advise on compliant insurance options.
Do I need an Ejari to sponsor my parents' visit visa?
Yes. A tenancy contract (Ejari) or a hotel booking is required to prove accommodation during your parents' stay in the UAE.
"Information verified against Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) as of February 2026. Requirements and fees subject to change — confirm current figures directly with Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) before proceeding." [VERIFY BEFORE PUBLISH — source date issue: ICP "Issuance of a Visa" page last updated December 2024]