UAE visit visa rules explained: Here’s how Dubai residents can sponsor relatives and friends
Single and multiple-entry permits available with flexible stay options
DUBAI – Dubai residents looking to bring family members or friends to the UAE now have clearer guidance after the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) outlined the latest rules for visit visas.
The authority has detailed who can be sponsored, the salary requirements, visa fees, required documents and application procedures for residents holding Dubai-issued residence visas. The scheme offers both single and multiple-entry visas, with stays of up to 120 days annually through approved extensions, subject to compliance with UAE regulations.
The clarification comes as demand for the service continues to grow, with GDRFA Dubai issuing 29,456 relatives and friends visit visas during the first half of 2026. The authority said the digital process is designed to make family reunions easier while providing flexible travel options for eligible visitors.
Visa options
Applicants can choose between single-entry and multiple-entry visit visas valid for 30, 60 or 90 days.
A single-entry visa allows one visit during its validity period, while a multiple-entry visa enables travellers to enter and leave the UAE several times before the visa expires. The latter is particularly suited to visitors planning regional travel during their stay.
Visitors can also apply to extend their stay from within the UAE, provided they obtain approval and continue to meet all applicable immigration requirements. Through approved extensions, eligible visitors can remain in the country for up to 120 days in a year.
Sponsor criteria
GDRFA Dubai has linked sponsorship eligibility to the relationship between the UAE resident and the visitor.
Residents wishing to sponsor first-degree relatives, including parents, spouses and children, must earn a minimum monthly salary of Dh4,000.
For second and third-degree relatives, such as siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and cousins, the required minimum monthly income rises to Dh8,000.
Residents sponsoring a friend must meet the highest threshold, with a minimum monthly salary of Dh15,000.
In every case, sponsors must hold a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. Income may be verified through a salary certificate, an attested labour contract or partnership documents in the case of business owners.
Required documents
Applicants must provide copies of the sponsor's Emirates ID and passport, together with the visitor's passport copy and a recent photograph.
Proof of income and proof of accommodation must also be submitted. Where applicable, applicants must include attested marriage certificates, birth certificates or other official documents establishing the family relationship between the sponsor and the visitor.
GDRFA Dubai also requires the visitor's passport to remain valid for at least six months from the date the application is submitted.
Applicants must additionally provide documents confirming their relationship to the UAE resident or citizen they intend to visit, along with details explaining the purpose of the visit.
Fees and process
Visa fees vary depending on the type and duration of the permit.
Single-entry visit visas start from Dh200 for 30 days, Dh300 for 60 days and Dh400 for 90 days.
For travellers seeking multiple-entry permits, fees begin at Dh300 for 30 days, Dh500 for 60 days and Dh700 for 90 days.
These charges do not include VAT, medical insurance or other applicable service fees.
Applicants must also pay a refundable security deposit of Dh1,000 for single-entry visas, while multiple-entry visas require a refundable financial guarantee of Dh2,000.
Residents with Dubai-issued residence visas can submit applications through GDRFA Dubai's Smart Services platform, the GDRFA mobile application, Amer centres or Customer Happiness Centres. Online applications can also be completed using UAE Pass.
According to GDRFA Dubai, most applications are processed within 48 hours. Once approved, visitors must enter the UAE within 60 days from the date the visa is issued.
The authority said the relatives and friends visit visa remains one of its most sought-after services, helping residents reunite with loved ones through a streamlined digital application process while supporting the UAE's position as a leading destination for tourism, living and international connectivity.