How to sponsor your parents for a Dubai residence visa
Check eligibility, minimum salary requirements, documents, medical tests, and costs
Dubai: Sponsoring your parents for a residence visa in Dubai is a common way for residents to bring their family closer. However, the process requires meeting specific eligibility criteria and submitting essential documents.
This guide covers everything you need to know, including salary requirements, necessary documents, application steps, medical tests, and associated costs, helping you navigate the process smoothly and efficiently.
Eligibility requirements in Dubai
Typing centres and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) - Dubai have confirmed the following requirements:
Salary requirement: Minimum Dh10,000 per month.
Accommodation: A valid Ejari (rental contract) and a two- or three-bedroom apartment.
Security deposit: Dh5,000, refundable once the UAE residence visa is approved.
Documents required from the sponsor
Sponsors must provide:
Valid Emirates ID
Passport copy
Dubai residence visa copy
Valid employment contract
Attested salary certificate
Three months’ bank statement
Consanguinity certificate: Birth certificate proving relationship, attested by your country’s consulate, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and legally translated into Arabic
Affidavit from the consulate: Confirming responsibility for sponsoring your parents
NOC from employer (freezones)
Keep in mind that you may not need all of these documents. The exact requirements depend on the sponsor and application, and you will be informed in advance if fewer or additional documents are needed.
Documents required from parents
Parents need to submit:
Recent passport-sized photograph with a white background
Valid passport
You also need to make sure you provide health isnurance for your parents in the UAE.
If your parents are already in Dubai, apply for ‘Change of Status’ using their current visit visa to process the new sponsorship.
Once you have all the required documents, go through a registered typing centre or Amer Centre to open a ‘new sponsorship file’ for your parents. These centres accept visa applications on behalf of GDRFA Dubai.
Medical fitness test in Dubai
As part of the process, your parents must undergo and pass a medical fitness test. You will select a convenient Medical Fitness Centre when applying, and the test results are typically sent within 24 to 48 hours. Dubai has 21 Medical Fitness Centres operated by Dubai Health
Emirates ID and residency visa process
After passing the medical test, parents must register their fingerprints for biometric verification at an ICP Customer Happiness Centre.
The Emirates ID and residency visa approval process generally takes about a week.
Ensure you provide a valid mobile number and email address, as ICP will use these to communicate application status and delivery instructions. Once the Emirates ID is issued, an SMS will notify you to collect it.
Cost breakdown in Dubai
Sponsorship fees:
Opening a file: Dh200
Residence permit fee: Dh200
Fee for changing status within the country: Dh500
Extra charges:
Knowledge fee: Dh10
Innovation fee: Dh10
Emirates ID fees:
E-services: Dh28
ICP fee: Dh22
Smart Services fee: Dh100
Card issuance: Dh100
Medical fitness test in Dubai:
Standard test (results in 24 hours): Dh250
VIP test (6 hours): Dh430
VIP test (30 minutes): Dh700
Important note: This article is solely for informational purposes. For any queries or updates, always consult the GDRFA Dubai toll-free number – 8005111. If you need help with your application, you can also visit a GDRFA-Dubai authorized Amer Centre. A full list of centres in Dubai can be found here: https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/customer-happiness-centers
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