Parents can now stay up to 120 days in UAE on visit visas under current rules
Residents of the United Arab Emirates can sponsor their parents for temporary stays of up to 120 days within a 12-month period, following updated visa regulations. This cap applies to all visit visa types, including those extended within the country, and replaces previous flexible limits that allowed longer cumulative stays in some cases.
Who can apply and what’s needed
To sponsor a parent, the resident must hold a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. Applicants must also submit:
• A passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry
• A return flight ticket issued in the parent’s name
• A clear, recent photograph
• An attested birth certificate or other official document proving family linkage
• UAE-approved health insurance covering emergency care and repatriation
• A copy of the sponsor’s personal ID if they hold nationality from Afghanistan, Iran, or Iraq
Health insurance must include coverage for hospitalization, emergency treatment, and medical evacuation. While minimum coverage standards are set by authorities, sponsorship applicants should confirm current requirements directly with GDRFA or ICP, as policies may vary.
Visa duration and extension options
Sponsors may choose from single-entry or multiple-entry visas valid for 30, 60, or 90 days, with the option to extend the stay from within the UAE. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis by immigration authorities and cannot increase the total stay beyond 120 days per calendar year.
For example, a parent arriving on a 30-day visa may receive two 45-day extensions, bringing the total to 120 days. A single 90-day visa can be extended once for 30 more days.
Costs and refundable deposits
The total cost varies based on visa type and duration:
• Application fee: AED 100
• Visa issuance fee: AED 100 per month for single entry; AED 200 per month for multiple entry
• Smart service charge: AED 100
• Refundable deposit: AED 1,000 for single-entry, AED 2,000 for multiple-entry
• Deposit refund processing fee: AED 20
The security deposit is returned after the parent departs, provided no overstay occurred. The refund can be claimed online or through the same channel used to apply — either an Amer centre in Dubai or an ICP-accredited typing centre elsewhere.
Where to apply
Residents in Dubai must submit applications through:
• The GDRFA Dubai website
• The GDRFA or DubaiNow mobile apps
• Approved Amer centres located across residential areas (may add service fees)
Residents in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain must use:
• The ICP website or UAE ICP mobile app
• ICP-accredited typing centres
• ICP Customer Happiness Centres
Processing times average 48 hours through GDRFA Dubai for complete applications, and 3 to 5 working days via ICP in other emirates. Express options are available for an additional fee.
Overstay penalties
Visitors who remain beyond the approved duration face a daily fine of AED 50, which is charged to the sponsor. These fines accumulate and must be cleared before the sponsor can apply for any future visas.
For permanent stays, a residence visa is required — a separate process mandating a minimum salary of AED 10,000 in Dubai or AED 20,000 elsewhere, along with a refundable deposit of AED 5,000 in Dubai or AED 2,000 under federal rules.
Sponsors are advised to verify all requirements directly with GDRFA or ICP before submitting, as policies can change without formal announcement.
