GDRFA Dubai explains sponsorship rules for single and multiple-entry visit visas.
Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) has outlined the rules for the UAE’s visit visa for family, relatives and friends, allowing residents to sponsor loved ones for short-term stays of up to 120 days a year.
According to the authority, applicants can choose between single-entry and multiple-entry visas, available with validity periods of 30, 60 or 90 days. Visitors may also extend their stay from within the UAE, subject to approval and compliance with immigration regulations.
A single-entry visa allows one visit during its validity period, while a multiple-entry visa enables travellers to enter and leave the UAE multiple times before the visa expires, providing added flexibility for those planning regional travel.
Salary requirements for sponsors
GDRFA Dubai has specified minimum salary requirements for residents sponsoring family members, with the income threshold varying according to the visitor’s relationship to the sponsor.
Residents wishing to sponsor first-degree relatives—including parents, spouses and children—must have a minimum monthly salary of Dh4,000.
For second- and third-degree relatives, such as siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and cousins, the minimum monthly salary requirement rises to Dh8,000.
Higher income threshold for sponsoring friends
Residents who wish to sponsor a friend for a UAE visit visa must have a minimum monthly salary of Dh15,000.
Sponsors are also required to hold a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. Proof of income can be provided through a salary certificate, an attested labour contract, or partnership documents for business owners.
Required documents
Applicants must submit:
- Sponsor’s Emirates ID
- Copy of the sponsor’s passport
- Visitor’s passport copy and a recent photograph
- Proof of income
- Proof of accommodation
- Attested marriage, birth or family relationship certificates, where applicable
Passport validity and visa fees
The visitor’s passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of the visa application.
Single-entry visit visa fees are:
- Dh200 for 30 days
- Dh300 for 60 days
- Dh400 for 90 days
Multiple-entry visit visa fees are:
- Dh300 for 30 days
- Dh500 for 60 days
- Dh700 for 90 days
The above fees exclude VAT, medical insurance and other applicable service charges.
Applicants are also required to pay a refundable security deposit of Dh1,000 for single-entry visas, while multiple-entry visas require a refundable financial guarantee of Dh2,000.
How to apply
Residents with Dubai-issued residence visas can apply for a visit visa through the GDRFA Dubai Smart Services platform, the GDRFA mobile app, Amer centres or Customer Happiness Centres. Online applications can also be completed using UAE Pass.
Applicants must provide documents proving their relationship to the UAE resident or citizen they plan to visit, along with details explaining the purpose of the visit.
According to GDRFA Dubai, most applications are processed within 48 hours, and approved visitors must enter the UAE within 60 days of the visa being issued.
Strong demand for the service
The relatives and friends visit visa remains popular, with 29,456 visas issued by GDRFA Dubai during the first half of 2026.
GDRFA Dubai said the service allows residents to reunite with family and friends through a streamlined digital application process, offering flexible visit options and an improved customer experience. The authority added that the initiative reinforces the UAE’s position as a global destination for living, tourism and social connectivity.
