How to Sponsor Parents on a UAE Visa? Complete Guide 2026
To sponsor your parents in the UAE, you need a basic salary of AED 20,000 a month, plus a refundable security deposit of around AED 2,020 per parent. You also need a consulate affidavit confirming you are their sole support, and health insurance that covers their age and any existing conditions. The visa renews every year.
- Confirm your basic salary meets AED 20,000 a month.
- Get a no-caretaker affidavit from your home consulate.
- Arrange health insurance covering your parents’ age and conditions.
What you need to sponsor a parent?
Sponsoring a parent asks for more than sponsoring a spouse or child. Beyond the AED 20,000 basic salary covered in our family visa salary guide, GDRFA and ICP want proof that you are genuinely responsible for your parent’s welfare.
The key document is an affidavit or equivalent letter from your home country’s consulate. It confirms you are your parent’s sole support, and that no one else back home is available to care for them. Without this document, the application will not proceed, so arrange it early since consulate paperwork can take time.
If your salary falls short of AED 20,000, some emirates offer a humanitarian residence route with a lower threshold of around AED 10,000, aimed at cases with a genuine care need. This is not guaranteed and is assessed case by case, so check directly with GDRFA or ICP rather than assuming eligibility.
The security deposit
Parent sponsorship requires a refundable security deposit, separate from the visa fees themselves. In Dubai this is currently around AED 2,020 per parent. The deposit is held by the authority and returned when the visa is cancelled or the parent leaves the UAE, provided there are no outstanding fines or issues.
Budget for this separately from your other visa costs, since it is a distinct line item that some people overlook when estimating the total.
Health insurance for older parents
Health insurance is mandatory, and it costs noticeably more for parents than for a spouse or young child. Insurers price premiums by age, and for parents aged 60 and above, annual premiums typically run from AED 5,000 to AED 15,000, depending on coverage level and any pre-existing conditions.
Make sure the policy genuinely covers your parents’ health conditions before you buy it, not just the minimum legal requirement. A policy that excludes a condition they already have can leave them without cover exactly when they need it. As with other family visas, the policy must be arranged in your name as sponsor.
Total cost and renewal
Adding it all up, most sponsors budget around AED 3,500 to 5,000 per parent for the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, visa fees and typing charges, on top of the security deposit and the annual insurance premium.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Visa fees, medical, Emirates ID, typing | AED 3,500 to 5,000 per parent |
| Refundable security deposit | About AED 2,020 per parent (Dubai) |
| Health insurance, age 60+ | AED 5,000 to 15,000 a year |
The parent visa is renewed annually, and you will need to repeat the medical test and confirm your insurance is still active each time. Keep the consulate affidavit and your salary proof on file, since renewal can ask for updated versions. The wider set of visa guides is in our UAE visa and immigration guide.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to sponsor a parent in the UAE?
Alongside your attested salary proof, you need an affidavit from your home country’s consulate confirming you are your parent’s sole support and that no one else is available to care for them. You also need health insurance covering their age and conditions, and the refundable security deposit for each parent.
How much is the security deposit to sponsor a parent?
In Dubai, the refundable security deposit is currently around AED 2,020 per parent. It is held by the authority and returned when the visa is cancelled or your parent leaves the UAE, as long as there are no outstanding fines. This is separate from the visa fees and insurance costs.
How much does health insurance cost for a sponsored parent?
For parents aged 60 and above, annual premiums typically range from AED 5,000 to AED 15,000, depending on the coverage level and any pre-existing conditions. Check that the policy genuinely covers conditions your parent already has, not just the minimum legal requirement, before you purchase it.
Can I sponsor my parents on a lower salary?
Some emirates offer a humanitarian residence route with a lower salary threshold of around AED 10,000, intended for cases with a genuine care need. This is assessed case by case and not guaranteed, so confirm directly with GDRFA or ICP rather than assuming you qualify before applying.
Last verified: July 2026
Written by Roman Shah ยท Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA); Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
