UAE family visit visa: types, documents and costs
Bringing parents or family to the UAE: tourist visas versus sponsored family visit visas, and what each needs.
"UAE visit visa" is one of the most-searched visa terms in the country, mostly by residents bringing parents, siblings or relatives to stay. There are two main routes: a tourist visa, which doesn't depend on the resident's salary, and a family visit visa sponsored by the resident. Both work; the right one depends on the relationship, your salary and how long they'll stay.
This guide explains each route, the documents and the rules that changed in 2025. It reflects the position at the time of writing (October 2026).
Route 1: a tourist visa
Applied for through a travel agency, hotel or airline, for 30 or 60 days, single or multiple entry. It's usually the simplest route for parents and relatives visiting for a few weeks, and it doesn't depend on the resident's salary.
Typical documents
- Clear colour copy of the visitor's passport, valid for at least six months
- Recent photograph on a white background
- Return flight booking
- Your address in the UAE
Who it suits
- Parents and relatives visiting for up to two months
- Families where the resident doesn't meet the sponsorship salary rules
- Friends and extended family
Route 2: a family visit visa sponsored by a resident
The resident sponsors their relative directly through the immigration authority: the ICP in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates, or the GDRFA in Dubai. Since late 2025, sponsors must meet minimum monthly salary requirements based on the relationship:
| Visitor | Sponsor's minimum monthly salary |
|---|---|
| First-degree relatives: parents, spouse, children | AED 4,000 |
| Second and third-degree relatives: siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins | AED 8,000 |
| Friends | AED 15,000 |
Visas are available for 30, 60 or 90 days, single or multiple entry, with extensions possible inside the UAE subject to approval. A refundable deposit may be required.
Typical documents
- Visitor's passport copy and photograph
- Sponsor's passport, residence visa and Emirates ID
- Sponsor's salary certificate or employment contract
- Proof of relationship, such as a birth or marriage certificate, attested where required
- Tenancy contract, in some cases
- Return flight booking
Which route is better?
| Situation | We'd suggest |
|---|---|
| Parents visiting for a month | Tourist visa: simpler and quick |
| Parents staying three months or longer | Sponsored family visit visa, if you meet the salary rule |
| Siblings or extended family | Tourist visa, unless you earn AED 8,000 or more |
| Friends | Tourist visa |
| Visitor with a US, UK or EU visa or residence (some nationalities) | Possibly a visa on arrival; ask us |
How long does it take?
Usually two to five working days once documents are complete. Apply at least a week before travel, and earlier before Eid, the summer and the December holidays, when demand peaks.
Costs
The cost depends on the visa type, length, number of entries and any deposit or insurance. We quote the full price before applying, so there are no surprises.
Extensions and status
- Some visit visas can be extended inside the UAE; others can't. Check before your visitor arrives, not in the last week.
- Total stay on visit visas is limited, so very long stays need planning.
- Overstaying brings daily fines and can affect future visas. We check status and remind you before expiry.
Visitors with health needs
Elderly parents should travel with health insurance that covers the full stay in the UAE. Medical treatment is excellent but expensive without cover. We can arrange insurance with the visa.
Common mistakes
- Booking the visa for fewer days than the planned stay.
- A passport with less than six months' validity.
- Relationship documents that aren't attested, for sponsored visas.
- Assuming a visa can always be extended.
Our offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah handle visit visas every day. See UAE visit visa.
Questions, answered
What salary do I need to sponsor my parents on a UAE visit visa?
AED 4,000 a month for first-degree relatives: parents, spouse and children. Second and third-degree relatives need AED 8,000, and friends AED 15,000.
Can I bring my parents on a tourist visa instead?
Yes. A 30 or 60-day tourist visa through a travel agency doesn't depend on your salary, and is often the simplest option.
How long can a family visit visa be issued for?
30, 60 or 90 days, single or multiple entry, with extensions possible inside the UAE subject to approval.
How long does a UAE visit visa take?
Usually two to five working days once the documents are complete. Apply at least a week before travel.
Can a visit visa be extended inside the UAE?
Some can, some can't. Check before your visitor arrives; we'll confirm and remind you before expiry.
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