Dubai visit visa eligibility: How much must sponsors earn to invite loved ones?
Dubai: Planning to sponsor a family member or friend for a visit to Dubai? Before applying, residents should be aware that the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) has set minimum salary criteria for sponsors, with requirements varying depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
UAE residents can apply to sponsor family members or friends for single-entry or multiple-entry visit visas in Dubai, with validity options of 30, 60 or 90 days.
Here is a guide to the key requirements, including eligibility criteria, minimum income requirements, required documents and visa fees.
Minimum salary to sponsor a family visit visa in Dubai
Residents looking to sponsor a first-degree relative for a family visit visa in Dubai must have a minimum monthly salary of Dh4,000.
First-degree relatives include:
The Dh4,000 monthly salary threshold applies to residents sponsoring their immediate family members, including:
- Parents
- Spouse
- Children
This is the minimum income requirement for sponsoring a visit visa for first-degree relatives.
Salary requirement for sponsoring extended family members
Residents planning to sponsor second- or third-degree relatives must earn at least Dh8,000 per month.
These relatives include:
- Siblings
- Grandparents
- Grandchildren
- Uncles
- Aunts
- Cousins
The higher salary requirement applies due to the more distant family relationship between the sponsor and the visitor.
Salary requirement for sponsoring a friend
Residents who wish to sponsor a friend for a Dubai visit visa must have a minimum monthly salary of Dh15,000.
This is the highest income requirement under the current GDRFA Dubai sponsorship rules and applies to visitors who do not have a family relationship with the sponsor.
Who can sponsor a visit visa?
Apart from meeting the required salary criteria, sponsors must also:
- Hold a valid UAE residence visa.
- Have a valid Emirates ID.
- Provide proof of income if requested by authorities.
Income verification may be completed through:
Documents required to prove relationship
When sponsoring a family member, applicants must submit proof of the relationship, which may include:
- A birth certificate.
- A marriage certificate.
All supporting documents must be properly attested before they are submitted.
Additional requirements for a visit visa
Sponsors may also be required to provide:
- A copy of the visitor’s passport.
- A recent passport-sized photograph.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation or tenancy contract.
- A return air ticket.
- Health insurance covering the visitor’s stay, where applicable.
Visa fees
Fees for a single-entry visit visa currently start from:
Visit visa fees
Single-entry visit visa fees currently start at:
- Dh200 for a 30-day visa.
- Dh300 for a 60-day visa.
- Dh400 for a 90-day visa.
Applicants may also need to pay a refundable financial security deposit of Dh1,000.
Additional charges may include VAT, health insurance, service fees and the refundable security deposit, depending on the application.
Where to apply
Visit visa applications can be submitted through:
- GDRFA Dubai’s online platforms and smart application, available 24/7.
- Authorised AMER Centres during official working hours.
Meeting the required salary threshold remains one of the key eligibility conditions when sponsoring a Dubai visit visa.
