Unlike in Western countries where children become independent at 18 years old but often leave their parents in care homes when they are old, Filipinos stay with their parents even if they already have families of their own. When their parents are old, the children and their families care for the old folks.
Even when they are already working abroad, a lot of Filipinos still have that mentality.
With that in mind, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) allows expatriates to bring their parents along, as long as they can provide proof that they are their parents’ sole provider and care taker.
If you are working in the UAE, have a valid resident visa, has a minimum salary of Dh20,000 (Php282,000) or Dh19,000 (Php270,000) plus a 2-bedroom accommodation, then you are eligible to bring your parents or parents-in-law.
They are entitled to a 1-year renewable resident visa.
Take note, however, that according to the new regulations you are supposed to sponsor both your parents or both your parents-in-law at the same time, unless you provide proof that they are divorced or that the other is no longer alive.
How to Get the Entry Permit?
Visit the Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai (DNRD) to get the entry permit visa. Your parents need to enter the country through this visa.
Once they are in the UAE, you have 60 days to process their UAE residency visa.
To get the entry permit, go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai with the following documents:
- Attested proof of relationship from the embassy or consulate and proof that you are the sole provider and care taker for your parent/s
- Copy of job contract for the sponsor or salary certificate from employer
- One photo each of the parent/s
- Original passport of sponsor and parent/s
- Typed application form from registered typing centers
Entry permit is usually issued after 48 hours for regular applications but if you pay an extra Dh100 (Php1,400) for urgent visa, you will receive it within a few minutes.
Regular fees are at Dh110 (Php1,560) for application fee and typing center fee. You are also required to pay a Dh2,000 (Php28,400) refundable deposit, paid just in case the visa is canceled or your parent perished. Note: Keep your receipt for the refund.
How to Get the Residency Visa?
You have 60 days after entry to prepare the following documents and process your parents’ residency visa:
- Application form and 3 photos of parent/s
- Health card of parent/s, at least Dh600 (Php8,500)
- Original entry permit
- Original job contract or salary certificate of the sponsor
- Original passport of parent/s and sponsor
- Refundable deposit receipt
Submit these documents to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai. The UAE residency visa will be sent to you through Empost (Dh10 fee) or you can pay the urgent application fee of Dh100 (Php1,400) to get the residency visa stamp on your parents’ passport.
UAE residency fees are at Dh110 (Php1,560) per year, exclusive of typing center fees.
