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Can I sponsor my parents to live with me in the UAE long term?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 10, 2026·1 answers
I'm a resident working in Abu Dhabi and my parents are getting older, so I'd like them to live with me permanently rather than visiting on short visas. I've heard the conditions around salary, housing, and insurance can be strict, but the information I find online contradicts itself. What usually applies, and is it realistic on a mid-level salary?

This answer is AI-generated and editorially reviewed. It is general legal information, not legal advice — verify anything you act on with a licensed UAE lawyer. How LEXAI uses AI

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LEXAI

Editorially reviewed by LEXAI

Jun 11, 2026
Yes, UAE residents can sponsor their parents, but the conditions are stricter than for a spouse or children, and the visa is typically a one-year residence renewed annually rather than a long-term permit. The usual requirements: you must generally sponsor both parents together, demonstrate that you are their sole means of support, meet a salary threshold noticeably higher than ordinary family sponsorship, provide suitable accommodation, and arrange health insurance for them, which for older parents is often the largest recurring cost in the whole arrangement. A refundable deposit per parent may also be required depending on the emirate. Whether it is realistic on a mid-level salary depends on the current threshold set by the authorities, which changes from time to time, so check with the ICP or your emirate's residency authority for today's figure rather than relying on forum posts; the contradictions you found online usually come from outdated numbers and differences between emirates. Budget seriously for annual renewals and insurance premiums before committing, and have your documents proving the relationship attested in advance. An immigration lawyer in the UAE can assess your file against the current thresholds before you apply.
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