Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) used an extensive Q&A released on 17 July 2026 to spell out exactly who can sponsor relatives and friends to visit the UAE and on what terms. Under the policy, first-degree relatives (parents, spouses and children) may now be sponsored by any UAE resident earning at least AED 4,000 (≈ US$1,090) per month, while second- and third-degree relatives require a minimum monthly income of AED 8,000. Sponsoring a non-relative friend carries the highest hurdle at AED 15,000. GDRFA emphasised that sponsors must hold a valid residence visa and Emirates ID, and must provide proof of income via an attested labour contract, salary certificate or commercial-licence documents for business owners. Applicants choose between single-entry or multiple-entry visas valid for 30, 60 or 90 days, with a maximum permissible stay of 120 days in any 12-month period. Fees begin at AED 200 for a 30-day single-entry permit and rise to AED 700 for a 90-day multiple-entry permit, exclusive of VAT, insurance and service charges. A refundable security deposit of AED 1,000 (single) or AED 2,000 (multiple) is also collected. The application process is fully digital via GDRFA Smart Services, the GDRFA mobile app, Amer centres or Customer Happiness Centres, and is typically completed within 48 hours. Approved visitors must enter the UAE within 60 days of permit issuance. The authority reported issuing 29,456 relatives-and-friends visit visas in the first half of 2026, underscoring strong demand as Dubai positions itself as a hub where expatriate residents can easily reunite with loved ones. For multinational employers, the clarified salary thresholds give HR and global-mobility teams concrete figures when advising staff on family visits. The quick, app-based processing and ability to extend stays from inside the country also make Dubai an attractive short-term assignment landing pad—particularly valuable while parts of the wider Gulf remain volatile and some regional air corridors are disrupted.
Source: Gulf News
