Key Highlights:

• Golden Visa holders can sponsor parents for 10 years without the standard AED 20,000 salary barrier. 
• No age restrictions apply, unlike traditional sponsorship requiring parents to be 60 years or older. 
• Health insurance is mandatory for all sponsored parents throughout their UAE residence period. 
• Both parents must be sponsored together unless death or divorce certificates are provided. 

You’ve secured your UAE Golden Visa. You’re building your business in Dubai. Your parents are half a world away. And you’re thinking, can I bring them here? Can they live with me for the next 10 years without the usual visa headaches?

The short answer is yes, absolutely.

But before you start imagining family dinners in Dubai Marina or weekend trips to the desert with your parents, there’s a process you need to understand. 

The good news? It’s far more flexible than standard parent sponsorship. The challenging part? There are specific requirements, paperwork marathons, and mandatory financial commitments you’ll need to navigate.

If you’ve been searching for clear answers on whether your Golden Visa allows you to sponsor your parents, what the income requirements really are, and whether there are age limits, this guide walks you through every detail.

Disclaimer: Visa rules, fees, and requirements are subject to change by UAE authorities. Always confirm current requirements directly from official sources. Costs mentioned are approximate and may vary based on your specific circumstances and emirate of residence. Health insurance costs and coverage requirements should be verified with licensed insurance providers. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.

Your Parents Can Get 10-Year Residency, Not Just a Year

Let’s clear up the biggest difference right away. Under the UAE Golden Visa program, your parents don’t get the standard one-year renewable residence permit. They qualify for a 10-year residency visa that matches the validity of your Golden Visa.

This is a game-changer compared to the traditional route, where you’d need to earn AED 20,000 per month and renew your visa every year. With the Golden Visa route, you’re looking at a decade of stability for your family. No annual renewal stress, no scrambling to gather documents every 12 months.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security confirms that Golden Visa holders have the ability to issue residency permits for spouses and children, ensuring full family stability. 

While the official language primarily mentions spouses and children, the Dubai Land Department explicitly lists parent sponsorship services under their Golden Visa investor offerings, with a parent residence permit for 10 years available at AED 5,774.50.

Breaking the Age Barrier: No 60-Plus Requirement

Here’s where the UAE Golden Visa route really shines. Standard parent sponsorship in Dubai often requires your parents to be 60 years or older. But when you review the official ICP and GDRFA Golden Visa guidelines, you won’t find any age restrictions mentioned.

The ICP states only that you must provide proof of financial capability and housing to cover the family. No age caps. No minimum age requirements. This means whether your parents are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, they can potentially qualify under your Golden Visa sponsorship.

This flexibility matters enormously if you’re a younger entrepreneur who secured your Golden Visa through property investment or business ownership. You’re not locked out of sponsoring your parents simply because they haven’t reached retirement age yet.

The Income Question: What Do You Actually Need to Earn?

This is where things get interesting, and honestly, a bit ambiguous. Unlike the crystal-clear AED 20,000 monthly salary requirement for standard parent sponsorship in Dubai, the Golden Visa route doesn’t specify an exact minimum income.

The official requirement from ICP is straightforward but vague: proof of financial capability and housing to cover the family. No salary threshold is spelled out in the official Golden Residency documentation.

1. What This Means in Practice

If you obtained your Golden Visa through property investment, the AED 2 million investment route, you may not face a strict monthly salary requirement at all. This makes sense when you think about it. If you’ve invested AED 2 million or more in UAE real estate, authorities recognize your financial capability through your investment rather than monthly salary slips.

2. Compare This to Standard Routes

Let’s put this in perspective. Standard Dubai parent sponsorship requires AED 20,000 per month. The Dubai humanitarian route requires AED 10,000 per month. The Golden Visa approach evaluates your overall financial capability rather than enforcing a rigid monthly income threshold.

The financial barrier is lower, the commitment is longer, and the flexibility is significantly greater with the Golden Visa approach.

3. The Both Parents Rule: You Must Sponsor Together (With Exceptions)

GDRFA Dubai has an official policy that applies across all parent sponsorship categories, including Golden Visa: parent’s sponsorship should be for both unless there is death or divorce.

This means you can’t choose to bring just your mother or just your father to the UAE unless one of two specific exceptions applies.

Exception 1: Death of Other Parent

You must provide an attested death certificate proving that the other parent is deceased. This certificate needs to be legalized by the UAE Embassy in your home country and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Exception 2: Divorce

If your parents are legally divorced, you’ll need to submit an attested divorce certificate following the same legalization process.

Beyond these documents, you’ll also need a consular affidavit from your home country’s embassy or consulate in the UAE. This affidavit must state that you are the sole provider for your parents and that there’s no one else available to care for them in your home country.

Your Complete Document Checklist

The document gathering process for parent sponsorship can feel overwhelming, particularly if this is your first time navigating UAE immigration procedures. 

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare, broken down by who needs to provide what.

1. Documents from You (The Golden Visa Holder)

Identity Documents

• Valid passport copy
• Golden Visa residence permit copy
• Emirates ID

Relationship Proof

This is the most time-consuming part. You need an attested birth certificate showing the parent-child relationship. “Attested” means your birth certificate must go through a multi-step verification process:

• Notarization in your country of origin: 2-5 business days
• Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country: 3-10 business days
• Attestation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in your home country: 2-7 business days
• Final attestation by UAE MOFA once you submit it in the UAE: 1-3 business days

The entire attestation chain can take several weeks to complete, sometimes stretching to 2-3 months depending on your home country’s processing times. Start this process immediately; don’t wait until everything else is ready.

Financial Capability Proof

• Bank statements for the last 3 months
• Salary certificate or business income documentation
• For property investors: property ownership documents

Accommodation Proof

• Attested tenancy contract (Ejari registration) or property ownership title deed

Consular Affidavit

• Letter from your home country’s consulate in the UAE confirming you are the sole provider for your parents

2. Documents from Your Parents

Travel Documents

• Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity
• Passport-sized photographs meeting ICP specifications

Health Requirements

• Medical fitness certificate from a UAE-approved medical center
• Valid health insurance coverage (mandatory)

The medical fitness test is straightforward but requires your parents to be physically present in the UAE. The test includes a chest X-ray for tuberculosis and leprosy screening and blood tests for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis. Results are typically ready within 24-48 hours.

Medical test costs range from AED 250 for standard service to AED 700 for VIP express processing.

Step-by-Step: How to Actually Apply

The UAE has digitized most immigration processes, which means you’ll handle the majority of your application online. 

Here’s the exact sequence you need to follow.

Step 1: Open Your Sponsor File

Log into the ICP Smart Services portal or the GDRFA Dubai portal depending on your emirate. Create a sponsor record that links your parents to your Golden Visa.

Dubai residents specifically can access Golden Visa family sponsorship services through Dubai Land Department accredited centers, including Al Tarash Center, Gulf Vision, Golden Cube, Al Yalayis, and AGS H.

Step 2: Medical Examination

Once your initial application is submitted and approved, your parents will need to complete their medical fitness tests at a UAE-approved medical center.

The medical examination includes screening for communicable diseases. If your parents have pre-existing conditions that aren’t on the prohibited list, they can still qualify, but you’ll need to ensure their health insurance covers these conditions.

Step 3: Submit Online Application with All Documents

Upload all your gathered and attested documents through the portal. Double-check every document for clear, high-resolution scans; correct file formats, typically PDF or JPEG; and complete attestation chains.  

Processing times for family visa applications typically range from 5 to 10 working days for the entry permit stage, with the complete process, including medical and Emirates ID taking 2-4 weeks.

Step 4: Emirates ID and Biometrics

After medical clearance, your parents will need to complete biometric registration, fingerprinting, and photo capture at an ICP Customer Happiness Center. The Emirates ID for a 10-year period costs approximately AED 1,000-1,200 per parent.

Step 5: Residence Visa Issuance

Once all steps are completed, the digital residence permit is issued, valid for 10 years, matching your Golden Visa duration. Your parents will receive updates via SMS and email throughout the process.

The Real Cost: Breaking Down Every Fee

Let’s talk numbers. The promise of long-term family sponsorship sounds incredible, but you need to budget properly. 

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you’ll actually spend.

1. Initial Setup Costs Per Parent

Official Government Fees

Dubai Land Department lists a parent’s residence permit for 10 years at AED 5,774.50, plus family sponsorship file opening at AED 318.75.

Medical Fitness Test

• Standard service: AED 250-320
• Fast track 48 hours: AED 430
• VIP Smart service: AED 700

Emirates ID (10-year validity)

Approximately AED 1,000-1,200 per parent. This breaks down to AED 100 per year of validity, plus service fees.

Initial Total Per Parent

Expect to budget around AED 7,000-8,000 per parent for the complete initial setup.

2. Annual Recurring Costs

Health Insurance (Mandatory)

This is your biggest ongoing expense and it’s non-negotiable. The Abu Dhabi Department of Health explicitly requires Golden Visa applicants to sign an undertaking to provide the health insurance cover for all sponsored family members. The insurance must be valid throughout the duration of the period that they reside in the UAE.

If you fail to maintain valid health insurance, you become legally responsible for all medical costs your parents incur.

Annual health insurance premiums for parents vary significantly based on age, pre-existing conditions, coverage level (whether basic or comprehensive), and network of hospitals.

Realistic annual costs:

• Basic coverage for parents aged 60-70: AED 4,000-6,300 per person
• Comprehensive coverage with wider networks: AED 5,000-15,000 per person annually
• Seniors with pre-existing conditions: AED 4,500 and above with coverage limits

Most insurers set minimum entry ages between 60-65 years, with coverage extendable to age 80 or even 99 depending on the provider.

3. What About Security Deposits?

Here’s a significant advantage: the Golden Visa parent sponsorship route doesn’t require the refundable security deposit that standard parent sponsorship demands.

Traditional Dubai parent sponsorship requires a security deposit of AED 2,500 per parent. This deposit is refundable when the parent’s visa is cancelled or when they leave the UAE permanently. However, Golden Visa holders are exempt from this deposit requirement.

Over the 10-year period, avoiding this deposit requirement saves you the opportunity cost of having AED 5,000 for both parents tied up in government deposits.

Why Health Insurance Deserves Your Attention

Let’s be direct: health insurance isn’t just a checkbox on your application. It’s a legal requirement with real consequences if you ignore it.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Health announced in 2021 that Golden Visa applicants must either provide valid health insurance or sign an undertaking to provide the health insurance cover; otherwise, the applicant will bear all costs related to their healthcare and medical services.

UAE Immigration Rules 2026 state clearly: purchase annual health insurance for your parents and other dependents that meets UAE standards.

1. What Happens If Insurance Lapses?

You, as the sponsor, become legally liable for all medical expenses your parents incur. Given that hospital stays in Dubai can easily run into tens of thousands of dirhams, this isn’t a risk worth taking.

2. Choosing the Right Insurance Plan

For Golden Visa parent sponsorship, prioritize these factors:

Coverage Amount: Most experts recommend minimum coverage of AED 150,000 to AED 1,000,000.

Network Hospitals: Ensure the plan covers hospitals near where your parents will live. Plans with 50 or more network hospitals offer the best flexibility.

Pre-existing Conditions: If your parents have chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, verify these are covered after the waiting period, typically 6 months for first-time policyholders.

Outpatient Care: Basic plans might only cover inpatient hospitalization. Comprehensive plans include outpatient consultations, which your parents will use more frequently.

Annual Limits: Watch for per-condition or per-year caps. Some budget plans cap coverage at AED 150,000 annually, which might not be sufficient for serious health events.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Even with perfect planning, parent sponsorship applications face delays and rejections. Here are the issues that come up most frequently, along with practical solutions.

Problem 1: Birth Certificate Attestation Takes Forever

This is the number one time sink in parent sponsorship applications. The multi-step attestation process requires your document to pass through home country authorities, the UAE Embassy abroad, and the UAE MOFA.

Solution: Start the attestation process 2-3 months before you plan to submit your visa application. Use professional attestation services if available in your home country; they know the shortcuts and can expedite processing. Many people underestimate this timeline and end up frustrated when their otherwise complete application is stuck waiting for one document.

Problem 2: Medical Test Delays

You book the medical test, but the approved center has a three-week wait for appointments.

Solution: Book your parents’ medical examination immediately after receiving initial approval for your sponsorship file. Don’t wait until every document is perfect. Medical results have a validity period, so time it carefully, but getting an early appointment slot is crucial.

Problem 3: Confusion About Single Parent Sponsorship

You want to sponsor only your mother, but GDRFA’s system keeps requiring information about both parents.

Solution: Obtain proper documentation proving the exception. If your parents are divorced, get the divorce certificate attested through the full chain: home country, then UAE Embassy, then UAE MOFA. 

If one parent is deceased, the death certificate needs the same treatment. Without these attested exception documents, your application will be rejected.

Additionally, prepare the consular affidavit from your embassy stating you are the sole support. This document is required even with the divorce or death certificates.

Problem 4: Property Investor Without Salary Slip

You got your Golden Visa through real estate investment. Now GDRFA is asking for salary certificates, but you don’t have traditional employment.

Solution: The official requirement is proof of financial capability and housing, not specifically a salary certificate. Submit your bank statements showing healthy account balances, plus your property ownership documents. Property investor routes have more flexibility precisely because your investment demonstrates financial capacity.

If you face resistance, escalate through the ICP Smart Services help system or work with a licensed PRO service provider who understands how to present property-based financial capability documentation properly.

Problem 5: Document Name Inconsistencies

Your passport says Mohammed but your birth certificate says Muhammad. Small spelling differences are causing your application to get flagged.

Solution: Ensure absolute name consistency across every single document you submit. If inconsistencies exist in old documents that can’t be changed, obtain a consular letter explaining the name variation and confirming that both spellings refer to the same person.

Golden Visa vs. Standard Route: The Full Comparison

You might be wondering if the Golden Visa route is really worth it compared to traditional parent sponsorship. 

Let’s break down the differences across key factors.

Cost Analysis Over 10 Years

If you went the standard route for 10 years:

• Annual renewal administrative costs estimated AED 500 per year: AED 5,000
• Security deposit opportunity cost: AED 5,000 locked up
• Time cost of 10 separate renewal processes
• Stress and uncertainty each year about approval

The Golden Visa route eliminates these hassles with one comprehensive application that covers the entire decade.

What Nobody Tells You: The Hidden Benefits

Beyond the obvious 10-year validity, Golden Visa parent sponsorship unlocks several advantages that aren’t immediately apparent.

• Full UAE Residency Rights

Your parents aren’t just visiting on an extended visa. They have full resident status. This means they can apply for work permits if they want to stay professionally active, with employer sponsorship.

• No Minimum Physical Presence

Golden Visa holders and their sponsored family members benefit from greater travel flexibility compared to standard residence visas. However, it’s recommended to confirm current travel rules with ICP or GDRFA to maintain valid residency status.

• Long-Term Stability for Financial Planning

Knowing your parents can stay for 10 years enables better financial planning. You can make long-term decisions about housing, healthcare, and family logistics without annual uncertainty.

Real Stories: Golden Visa Holders Who Sponsored Family

In 2025, Khaleej Times reported on young Dubai students who received Golden Visas for academic excellence. 

Several mentioned their plans to sponsor their parents under their Golden Visa status. Sixteen-year-old Sabeel Basheer, who received his Golden Visa for inventing a child safety device, told the publication: For years, our parents have supported and sponsored us. Today, thanks to the Golden Visa, we can do that for them. Roles have been reversed, and I am thankful to the government.

Another student, 19-year-old Shaun Vincent Fernandes, who secured his Golden Visa based on academic performance, stated, “I feel like I have secured my family’s future.” Dubai is a very comfortable place to live in; it is safe, and the economic system is very advanced.

For the parents of Aman Maqbool, a 20-year-old student of determination with high-functioning autism who received the Golden Visa, the long-term residency became an immense blessing. His father said, We are very grateful for the opportunity, and it is a wonderful feeling to have Aman’s achievements bring us the Golden Visa.

These cases, while involving student Golden Visas rather than investor categories, demonstrate that the parent sponsorship mechanism functions across different Golden Visa pathways.

When Applications Get Rejected: Learning from Mistakes

Understanding why parent sponsorship applications get rejected helps you avoid the same pitfalls. Common rejection reasons include:

• Insufficient or Inconsistent Financial Documentation

Submitting bank statements with irregular deposits or accounts that don’t reflect the stated financial capacity.

• Incomplete Attestation Chains

Birth certificates or other relationship documents that haven’t completed all required attestation steps.

• Invalid or Inadequate Insurance

Submitting health insurance that doesn’t meet minimum coverage requirements or lacks proper network access.

• Medical Fitness Concerns

Certain communicable diseases automatically disqualify applicants. However, most common chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension don’t cause rejection, as long as they’re disclosed and covered by insurance.

• Previous Immigration Violations

Past overstays, unpaid fines, or visa violations by either the sponsor or the applicants.

• Document Name Inconsistencies

Different spellings or formats of names across documents without proper explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I sponsor only my mother or only my father?

No, unless one parent is deceased or your parents are divorced. You must provide attested death or divorce certificates as exceptions. You’ll also need a consular affidavit proving sole support responsibility.

2. Do my parents’ 10-year visas renew automatically?

No. After 10 years, you’ll need to go through a renewal process. However, unlike the annual renewals required for standard sponsorship, you handle this once per decade.

3. Can my parents work in the UAE on this visa?

The Golden Visa family sponsorship doesn’t automatically grant work permission. However, parents sponsored under the Golden Visa would need employer sponsorship and work permit processing, which typically involves changing their sponsorship status.

4. What if my property is mortgaged?

Mortgaged property qualifies for the Golden Visa, as long as the total value is AED 2 million or more. You’ll need a bank letter confirming the amount paid and property value.

5. How long does the complete process take?

From application submission to final visa issuance, expect 2-6 weeks on average. The attestation process for documents from your home country is what extends timelines most significantly, potentially adding 2-3 months if you haven’t started early.

6. What happens if my Golden Visa expires?

Your parents’ sponsorship is tied to your Golden Visa validity. If your Golden Visa expires or is cancelled, their residency permits become invalid as well. Plan to renew your Golden Visa before expiration to maintain your status.

7. Is the process different for Dubai vs other emirates?

The federal ICP system manages Golden Visa applications nationwide, but Dubai has specific processes through GDRFA Dubai and the Dubai Land Department. Abu Dhabi may have slightly different requirements, particularly regarding health insurance regulations. Always check with the authority in your specific emirate.

Before You Apply: Your Action Plan

Here’s your strategic checklist, in the order you should tackle each item:

3 Months Before Application

1. Start birth certificate attestation process immediately
2. Request consular affidavit from your embassy
3. Gather financial documents: bank statements, salary certificates, property documents
4. Research and compare health insurance providers

2 Months Before Application

5. Secure health insurance policies for both parents
   6. Obtain attested tenancy contract or property ownership proof
   7. Confirm your parents’ passports have 6 or more months validity
   8. Get passport-sized photos meeting ICP specifications

1 Month Before Application

9. Verify all documents have completed full attestation chains
   10. Create an ICP or GDRFA account and familiarize yourself with the portal.
   11. Calculate total costs and ensure budget is ready
   12. Book tentative medical examination appointments

Application Week

13. Submit online application through ICP Smart Services or GDRFA Dubai portal
    14. Upload all documents in correct formats
    15. Pay required fees online
    16. Save all confirmation numbers and reference codes
    17. Enable SMS and email notifications for updates

After Submission

18. Track application status daily using reference number
    19. Respond immediately to any requests for additional information
    20. Complete medical examinations as soon as approved
    21. Schedule Emirates ID biometric appointments

Why JSB Incorporation Can Help

UAE immigration procedures while running your business aren’t easy. You’re already managing company setup, trade licenses, bank accounts, and operations. Adding complex family visa processes to your plate creates stress you don’t need.

JSB Incorporation offers PRO (Public Relations Officer) services that handle government-related tasks efficiently. Our team knows the difference between what the forms say and how the process actually works on the ground.

When it comes to Golden Visa family sponsorship, we can review your documentation for completeness before submission, coordinate attestation services and translations, and submit applications through proper channels.

Contact JSB Incorporation to discuss your specific situation. We’ll give you a clear assessment of your eligibility and a realistic timeline for bringing your parents to Dubai under your Golden Visa sponsorship.

Book your free consultation call today with the experts of JSB Incorporation to learn more. 

Also Read: 

How to Check Your Golden Visa Status Online in the UAE

Golden Visa Rules for Senior Citizens Buying Property: All You Need to Know

Can Golden Visa Holders Work Without Sponsorship? UAE Rules Explained

UAE Golden Visa Property Purchase Rules for Joint Business Owners

Can You Transfer Your UAE Golden Visa to Another Passport? Your Complete Guide

UAE Golden Visa Rules You Didn’t Know: Business-Owner Edition