UAE residents can sponsor short-term visit visas for parents, in-laws, siblings, and other relatives. The process is fully online, but a low salary, missing documents, or the wrong visa duration causes most rejections. This guide breaks down the 2026 rules, fees, and the salary thresholds the immigration system actually applies.
Who can sponsor a relative visit visa
Any UAE resident with a valid Emirates ID and an income or housing record that meets the immigration thresholds can sponsor a visiting relative. Golden Visa holders, Green Visa holders, salaried employees, and self-sponsored freelancers all qualify, provided the relationship to the visitor can be proven.
Eligible relatives
- Father and mother (most common)
- Spouse's parents (in-laws)
- Brothers and sisters
- Adult children living abroad
- Cousins, nephews, and nieces (case-by-case, requires proof of relationship)
Salary and housing thresholds
Immigration uses sponsor income as a proxy for the ability to host the visitor. The thresholds are not always published in writing but are applied during e-channel checks.
| Sponsor profile | Typical minimum salary | Housing requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsoring parents | AED 4,000 + furnished housing or AED 3,000 + employer housing | Tenancy contract (Ejari) in sponsor's name |
| Sponsoring siblings or in-laws | AED 4,000+ | Tenancy contract preferred |
| Sponsoring extended relatives | AED 5,000 – 10,000 (case dependent) | Tenancy contract + relationship proof |
Self-sponsored freelancers usually present 6 months of bank statements showing inflows above the threshold instead of a salary certificate.
Visit visa durations and fees
| Visa type | Validity | Government fee (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day single-entry | 30 days from entry | 320 – 380 |
| 60-day single-entry | 60 days from entry | 480 – 580 |
| 90-day single-entry (relatives) | 90 days from entry | 720 – 880 |
| Multi-entry (long-term family) | 1 year, 90-day stays | 1,750 – 2,300 |
| Refundable deposit (some nationalities) | — | 1,000 – 5,000 |
For most parents arriving for an extended visit, the 90-day single-entry is the best value. The visa is extendable inside the UAE for two further 30-day periods.
Documents required
- Sponsor: Emirates ID, residence visa copy, passport copy
- Sponsor: salary certificate (issued within 30 days) or 6 months of bank statements
- Sponsor: tenancy contract (Ejari for Dubai, equivalent for other emirates)
- Visitor: passport (6+ months validity)
- Visitor: passport-size photo (white background)
- Proof of relationship: birth certificate (for parents), marriage certificate (for in-laws), family book — attested when issued outside the UAE
- Travel insurance covering the visit period (mandatory for most channels)
How to apply: step by step
- Confirm eligibility and gather documents.
- Submit through ICP smart services (UAEICP app) for most emirates, or GDRFA Amer for Dubai.
- Upload sponsor and visitor documents; pay the application fee.
- Wait for pre-approval (typically 2–5 working days).
- Receive the e-visa PDF by email.
- Visitor enters the UAE within 60 days of issuance.
- If staying longer, apply for an extension before the visa expires — see our tourist visa extension guide.
Common rejection reasons
- Salary certificate older than 30 days.
- Tenancy contract expired or not in sponsor's name.
- Relationship documents not attested by the country of origin and the UAE embassy.
- Visitor's passport with less than 6 months validity.
- Recent overstay or visa rejection on the visitor's record.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sponsor my parents on a tourist visa instead of a relative visa?
Yes — many residents use a standard 60-day tourist visa for short stays because it does not require relationship proof. The relative visa is preferred when a 90-day single-entry is needed.
Do I need to deposit money to sponsor my parents?
Some nationalities require a refundable deposit of AED 1,000–5,000, which is returned after the visitor exits. The list changes periodically; ICP confirms during the application.
Can I convert a parent's visit visa to a residence visa?
Yes, but parental residence visas have higher salary thresholds (AED 20,000+ typically) and require proof of dependency. The change is processed through a status-change application without the parent leaving the UAE.
How long does approval take?
Most applications are approved in 2–5 working days. Express service can compress this to 24 hours for an additional fee.
Can my sister sponsor my parents instead of me?
Yes — any qualifying resident can act as the sponsor. Only one sponsor is needed per application.
Is health insurance mandatory?
Yes. Most channels require travel insurance covering the entire visit period, and the visitor will be asked to present proof on arrival.
How we help
Visa Simplified handles parent and relative visit visas end-to-end — document review, application, government fees, and delivery of the e-visa. We also manage extensions, status changes, and the optional conversion to a parental residence visa via our visit visa services. Service fees are fully refundable until filing.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.