A parents visa in the UAE lets a resident son or daughter sponsor their mother and father on a family residence. The conditions are stricter than for a spouse or children: the authority looks at your income, housing, health insurance and proof that you support your parents. Wordcraft checks eligibility first, attests your birth certificate and files the application until the residence and Emirates IDs are issued.
What the Authority Checks Before Approving Parent Sponsorship
As the sponsor, you usually need:
- A valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- A minimum monthly income set by the residency authority — confirmed at application.
- Suitable accommodation: a registered tenancy contract or title deed for housing of the required size (confirmed at application).
- Proof that you are your parents' main support: for example a statement or affidavit, depending on the emirate.
- Health insurance for each parent for the full visa period.
Dubai (GDRFA) and the ICP emirates apply these checks slightly differently, which is why we look at your emirate before anything else. The official family-residence rules are on u.ae.
Golden Visa Holders Sponsoring Parents
If you hold a Golden visa, you can usually sponsor your parents under the more generous family rules of that visa. The documents are similar, but the income test for the parent visa may not apply in the same way. We check which route gives your parents the longest and simplest residence.
Documents for Sponsoring Your Mother and Father
- Sponsor's passport, residence visa, Emirates ID and salary certificate or trade license
- Registered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) or title deed
- Parents' passports and recent photos
- Your birth certificate showing your parents' names, attested — we handle birth certificate attestation
- Your parents' marriage certificate, attested, where the authority asks for it
- Sole-support statement or affidavit, where required
- Health insurance policy for each parent
Birth and marriage certificates issued abroad are attested in the issuing country and by the UAE embassy there, which now completes the UAE MOFA attestation digitally. If they are in a language other than Arabic or English, we also arrange the legal translation.
How We Bring Your Parents Over
- Eligibility check: share your salary certificate, tenancy contract and passports on WhatsApp, and we tell you straight away whether the file will pass.
- Quote: within 10–30 minutes, a written quote covering both parents, the insurance you need and our charge.
- Attestation and translation: we attest your birth certificate and other relationship documents.
- Entry permit or status change: for parents abroad we apply for entry permits; for parents already in the UAE on a visit visa we apply for a status change where allowed.
- Medical test, insurance and Emirates ID: we book the appointments and arrange the insurance with you.
- Residence issued: both residences are issued and the Emirates IDs delivered to you.
Renewing Your Parents' Visa
Parent visas are issued for the period set by the authority and must be renewed on time. At renewal the authority checks your income, housing and insurance again. We remind you before expiry and handle the renewal with the medical and Emirates ID in one request. For the rest of your family, see our family visa service.
Last checked: 29 September 2026 against GDRFA and ICP family-residence rules for sponsoring parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor only my mother or only my father?
It depends on the emirate and your circumstances, for example if one parent has passed away or the parents are divorced. We confirm the rule for your case at application.
What salary do I need to sponsor my parents?
The minimum income is set by the residency authority and differs from the spouse and child rules. We confirm the current figure at application.
Do my parents need a medical test?
Yes, adult residents generally complete a medical fitness test before the residence is issued, together with Emirates ID biometrics.
Can my parents work on a parents visa?
No. A sponsored parent visa is a family residence, not a work permit.
How much does it cost?
Fees apply per parent, plus the insurance policy. The written quote shows the full amount for both before you pay.
Can a daughter sponsor her parents?
Yes. Sons and daughters can both sponsor their parents if they meet the income, housing and insurance conditions in force.
Is the parents visa renewed every year?
Under the standard family rules a parent's residence is usually issued for one year at a time and renewed while you still meet the conditions. Golden visa holders follow the validity of their own visa. We confirm the term at application.
Can my parents come on a visit visa and switch inside the UAE?
Often yes. Parents already here on a visit visa can usually move to residence through a status change, filed before the visit visa expires.
Do my parents need health insurance?
Yes, each parent needs a policy valid for the whole residence period. Plans for older applicants cost more and take longer to arrange, so we start this early.
Can Golden visa holders sponsor their parents?
Usually yes, under the wider family rules of the Golden visa. The documents are similar, but the income test may apply differently.
