UAE Visit Visa for Parents: How to Bring Your Parents to the UAE

The UAE offers multiple visit visa durations for parents, and choosing the right one depends on the length of the planned visit and how frequently your parents travel to the UAE. The standard options are 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day single-entry visas, plus multiple-entry visas valid for 1 year or 5 years. Under the 2026 rules, the default single-entry visit visa is now 60 days, replacing the previous 30-day standard.

For most parents visiting from the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia, or Africa, the 90-day single-entry visa is the most popular choice. It provides ample time for a meaningful visit without the need for extensions. If your parents visit at least twice a year, the 1-year multiple-entry visa quickly becomes more cost-effective than individual single-entry applications.

As the sponsor, you must meet specific criteria to bring your parents to the UAE on a visit visa. The requirements are the same regardless of your parent gender or nationality. The key criteria are a valid UAE residence visa, minimum salary, adequate accommodation, and proof of the parent-child relationship.

1. 1Valid UAE residence visa — Your residence visa must be valid and should not expire within 30 days of the visa application date. If your residence visa is nearing renewal, complete the renewal first.
2. 2Minimum salary — You must earn at least AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 per month (varies by emirate). The salary must be reflected in your bank statements with regular monthly credits.
3. 3Accommodation — You must have a valid tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) in your name. The accommodation must be suitable for hosting your parents — a bed space or shared room arrangement is not accepted.
4. 4Proof of relationship — Your attested birth certificate showing your parent names. This is the primary document proving the family relationship. It must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country where it was issued and by MOFA in the UAE.
5. 5Sponsor documents — Emirates ID copy, passport copy, employment letter or salary certificate, and 3 months of bank statements.
6. 6Parent documents — Passport copy with at least 6 months validity, two passport-sized photographs with white background, and travel medical insurance (mandatory for parents aged 60 and above).

Medical insurance is a critical consideration when bringing parents to the UAE, especially for those aged 60 and above. While travel medical insurance is mandatory for visitors over 60, it is strongly recommended for all parent visitors regardless of age. UAE healthcare costs are high for non-residents, and a single hospital visit can cost thousands of dirhams without insurance coverage.

The minimum coverage required for a UAE visit visa is typically AED 100,000 to AED 250,000, depending on the visa type and the insurance provider. The policy must cover emergency hospitalisation, outpatient treatment, and emergency medical evacuation. Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered under standard travel insurance policies, so if your parents have chronic health conditions, look for a policy that offers at least partial coverage for these conditions.

OraVisa strongly recommends purchasing medical insurance before the visa application, as it streamlines the approval process. Several UAE-based insurance companies offer visitor medical insurance packages specifically designed for elderly visitors. We can help you select the right policy based on your parent age, health conditions, and length of stay.

The application process for a parent visit visa follows the standard family visit visa procedure through the ICP Smart Services portal. The process is entirely online, and you do not need to visit any government office in person. Processing typically takes 3 to 5 working days for standard applications.

1. 1Log in to the ICP Smart Services portal (smartservices.icp.gov.ae) using your UAE Pass credentials.
2. 2Select "Entry Permits" and then "Apply for Entry Permit" under the family visit visa category.
3. 3Enter your sponsor details — Emirates ID number, passport number, and residential address.
4. 4Enter your parent details — full name as per passport, nationality, passport number, date of birth, and planned travel dates.
5. 5Select the visa duration (30, 60, or 90 days) or multiple-entry option.
6. 6Upload all required documents including your birth certificate, parent passport copy, salary certificate, bank statements, and tenancy contract.
7. 7Purchase and upload medical insurance for parents over 60 (or include it as part of the application if the portal offers integrated insurance).
8. 8Pay the visa fee online and submit the application.
9. 9Track the application through the portal. Once approved, the e-visa will be emailed to you.
10. 10Forward the e-visa to your parents. They must print it to present at departure and arrival.

The approved e-visa must be used within 60 days of issuance. If your parents cannot travel within this window, the visa expires and you must submit a new application. Plan the application timing accordingly — apply approximately 2 to 3 weeks before your parent planned departure date to account for processing time while maximising the usage window.

If your parents wish to extend their stay beyond the original visa duration, you can apply for a single 30-day extension before the current visa expires. The extension application must be submitted through the ICP portal or through an authorised service centre. It is crucial that the extension is applied for before the visa expiry date — extensions are not granted during or after the grace period.

The extension process is straightforward and typically takes 1 to 3 working days. You will need to provide the original visa reference number, your parent passport details, and pay the extension fee (typically AED 600 to AED 900). Medical insurance must remain valid for the extended period — if the existing policy expires before the extension ends, you must purchase additional coverage.

For parents who visit the UAE frequently, the long-term multiple-entry visa is significantly more practical and cost-effective than applying for individual visit visas each time. The UAE now offers multiple-entry visit visas valid for up to 5 years, allowing parents to enter and stay for up to 90 days per visit with no limit on the number of entries.

The 5-year multiple-entry visa is particularly popular among expats from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines whose parents visit regularly. Although the upfront cost is higher (AED 3,000 to AED 5,000), it eliminates the need for repeated applications, document preparation, and processing fees. Over 5 years with even two visits annually, the cost per visit is dramatically lower than individual visa applications.

Another option for parents who wish to stay in the UAE for extended periods is the long-term dependent visa, which is available to residents who meet higher salary thresholds. This allows parents to stay in the UAE for the duration of the sponsor residence visa. However, this requires a higher income and different documentation compared to a standard visit visa. Contact OraVisa for advice on whether a dependent visa is more suitable for your situation.

Bringing your parents to the UAE should be a joyful experience, not an administrative headache. OraVisa handles the entire parent visit visa process from our Dubai office, ensuring every document is correctly prepared, the application is submitted accurately, and the visa is approved in the shortest possible time.

• Free eligibility check — we verify you meet all sponsor requirements before you start
• Document attestation guidance — we advise on getting birth certificates and other documents attested in the country of issue
• Medical insurance arrangement — we help select the right insurance policy for your parent age and health profile
• Application submission — we handle the ICP portal application and all document uploads on your behalf
• Extension processing — we manage extensions before the visa expires, preventing any overstay risk
• Multiple-entry visa guidance — we advise on whether a long-term visa is more cost-effective for your situation