Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai) has published a detailed explainer of the emirate’s ‘relatives and friends’ visit-visa scheme, a popular pathway that lets UAE residents bring parents, siblings and even close friends to the country for short stays of up to 120 days a year. Under the refreshed guidelines, sponsors can choose single- or multiple-entry permits that come in 30-, 60- or 90-day blocks, with the option to extend the stay from inside the UAE subject to approval. Salaries will now determine who you can invite: first-degree relatives require a minimum monthly income of AED 4,000, second- and third-degree relatives AED 8,000, and friends AED 15,000. Applicants must file through GDRFA’s Smart Services platform, Amer centres or the GDRFA mobile app, uploading Emirates ID, passports, proof of relationship, income documents and accommodation details. Fees start at AED 200 for a 30-day single entry visa and rise to AED 700 for a 90-day multiple-entry pass, exclusive of VAT, insurance and refundable deposits. The authority said it processed 29,456 such visas in the first half of 2026, emphasising the product’s role in reinforcing Dubai’s position as a hub for tourism and social connectivity. For multinationals, the clarified policy offers a predictable framework for inbound visits by employees’ family members, potentially improving staff retention and wellbeing in the Emirates.
Source: Gulf News
