How to sponsor family or friends on a visit visa in Dubai 2026: Salary requirements, costs and step-by-step guide

Dubai: Thinking of bringing your family or friends over to Dubai for a visit? You can do so by sponsoring their visit visa – it’s a simple, straightforward process, as long as you check all the boxes in terms of eligibility and requirements. Here’s everything you need to know about visit visa salary thresholds, costs, eligibility criteria and the visa application process. What is a visit visa and how long is it valid for? A visit visa allows UAE residents to sponsor a family member or a friend for a single- or multiple-entry visit that is valid for 30, 60, or 90 days in the country. According to the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA), the authorities may extend the visa once or multiple times, provided that the total period of stay in the UAE does not exceed 120 days. It’s important to ensure your visitor does not stay in the UAE beyond the time stipulated on their visa – learn about overstay rules and penalties here . This type of visa differs from a tourist visa in one key detail – the visit visa is a sponsored visa. Why apply for a visit visa now? If you are thinking of inviting family or friends to Dubai, the time to do so is right now. The city’s ‘A Dubai Invite’ tourism initiative, which runs until October 31, 2026, is inviting residents to become ambassadors of the city, by encouraging their family and friends to visit the emirate. The programme offers discounts of up to 45% on hotel stays and 100% room rate-equivalent resort credits at participating hotels and properties across the emirate. It also features promotions and benefits at some of Dubai’s leading attractions, including waterparks and dining venues. Learn how both visitors and residents benefit from the ongoing initiative. Who can sponsor a visit visa? The following eligibility criteria determines who can sponsor a visit visa, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP): The sponsor must have a valid Emirates ID. The sponsor must hold a valid UAE residence visa. The sponsor must meet the minimum salary requirement. Who can be sponsored on a visit visa? The UAE offers visa-free entry and visas on arrival for many nationalities. Explore the full list here . However, if your family member or friend’s nationality is not on the list, and they require a visa to travel to the UAE, you can sponsor their visit visa as a UAE resident, so long as you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements specified by the ICP. What is the minimum salary threshold? The minimum salary requirement changes based on whether you are sponsoring first-, second-, or third-degree relatives, or whether you are sponsoring a friend. Here is a breakdown of the minimum salary threshold for all three categories, as per ICP guidelines: For sponsoring first-degree relatives Residents sponsoring first-degree relatives (immediate family members) must earn at least Dh4,000 per month. The ICP classifies first-degree relatives as: Parents Spouse Children For sponsoring second- or third-degree relatives Residents sponsoring second- or third-degree relatives (extended family members) must earn at least Dh8,000 per month. These categories are classified as follows: Second-degree family members : Siblings Grandparents Grandchildren Third-degree family members : Uncle Aunt Cousins For sponsoring friends Residents sponsoring a friend must earn at least Dh15,000 per month. What documents are required for a visit visa application? The following documents are required when applying for a visit visa for a family member or friend: Visitor’s passport copy (with a validity of at least six months). Recent passport-sized photograph of the visitor. Return flight ticket. Health insurance covering the visitor’s stay. Sponsor’s Emirates ID and passport copy. Proof of accommodation, such as sponsor’s tenancy contract or a hotel booking. Proof of income (for the sponsor), through a salary certificate, an attested labour contract, or company ownership documents (for business owners). The sponsor must also provide proof of kinship, when applying for family members. Valid documents include: Birth certificate Marriage certificate How much does a visit visa cost? Here is the breakdown of costs, according to the GDRFA, based on single- or multiple-entry visas, and their durations: Single-entry fees: 30-day visit visa fee: Dh200 60-day visit visa fee: Dh300 90-day visit visa fee: Dh400 VAT: 5% Financial security deposit fee (refundable): Dh1,000 Financial security deposit fee: Dh20 Knowledge Dirham: Dh10 Innovation Dirham: Dh10 Multiple-entry visas: 30-day visit visa fee: Dh300 60-day visit visa fee: Dh500 90-day visit visa fee: Dh700 VAT: 5% Financial security deposit fee (refundable): Dh2,000 Financial security deposit fee: Dh20 Knowledge Dirham: Dh10 Innovation Dirham: Dh10 How to apply for a visit visa If you are a Dubai resident, you can apply for a visit visa through the GDRFA portal, the DubaiNow app, or in-person