What happened?
Dubai has launched ‘A Dubai Invite’, a new tourism campaign that rewards eligible UAE residents and citizens with benefits worth more than AED3,000 when invited family members or friends visit Dubai.
Who is affected?
UAE residents and citizens aged 18 and above with a valid Emirates ID, along with their overseas family members and friends.
Why does it matter?
The initiative encourages more international visitors to Dubai while rewarding residents for bringing loved ones to experience the city during the summer and beyond.
Dubai residents can now earn more than AED3,000 worth of rewards simply by inviting family members or friends from abroad to visit the emirate. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched ‘A Dubai Invite’, a tourism campaign designed to encourage international visits while rewarding UAE residents for bringing loved ones to Dubai. The programme runs for visitors arriving between 20 July and 31 October 2026, with benefits covering hotels, attractions, dining experiences and transport offers.
What is Dubai’s ‘A Dubai Invite’ programme?
‘A Dubai Invite’ is a referral-based tourism initiative launched by DET as part of Dubai’s broader efforts to attract more international visitors.
Eligible UAE residents and citizens aged 18 or above can nominate relatives or friends who live outside the UAE before they travel. Once the visitor arrives in Dubai and their entry is officially verified, the resident receives a reward package valued at more than AED3,000.
According to DET, the programme is free to join and aims to make it easier for residents to share Dubai with loved ones while supporting the city’s tourism sector.
Residents can receive up to three reward packages during the campaign.
Who is eligible and how does the nomination process work?
To participate, residents must:
- Be a UAE resident or citizen aged 18 or above
- Hold a valid Emirates ID
- Register their guest through the official online nomination form before arrival
- Ensure the visitor lives outside the UAE
- Ensure the visitor enters Dubai between 20 July and 31 October 2026
Visitors can arrive by air, sea or road, provided they have the appropriate tourist visa or qualify for visa-on-arrival rules.
Each nomination form allows residents to register up to five visitors, although each visitor can only be successfully nominated once during the campaign. If multiple residents nominate the same person, only the first eligible nomination will qualify for rewards.
DET has also confirmed that residents do not need to submit arrival proof, as visitor entries are verified automatically through Dubai’s border systems.
What rewards can residents receive?
Successful participants will receive a digital reward package by email, usually within 72 hours after their guest’s arrival has been verified.
While individual offers may vary, participating partners include hotels, restaurants, attractions and transport providers across Dubai.
Verified partners include:
- W Dubai Mina Seyahi
- The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi
- Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark
- Meliá Desert Palm
- IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Careem
- Hala
Combined savings exceed AED3,000, although each partner applies its own booking conditions, availability and redemption terms.
Most offers remain valid until 31 December 2026, unless a specific promotion expires earlier.
Why has Dubai launched this initiative now?
The programme comes as Dubai continues building on its record tourism growth.
According to DET, Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking another record year for the emirate and a 5% increase compared with 2024. January 2026 also started strongly, recording around 2 million overnight visitors, highlighting continued demand for Dubai as a global travel destination.
‘A Dubai Invite’ complements ongoing tourism campaigns such as Dubai Summer Surprises, which features citywide shopping promotions, family entertainment, hotel offers and dining deals throughout the summer season.
Rather than relying only on international marketing campaigns, Dubai is also encouraging residents to become ambassadors for the city by inviting their own networks from around the world.
How will the programme benefit Dubai’s tourism sector?
The initiative is expected to benefit multiple sectors across Dubai’s visitor economy.
Hotels may see increased bookings from international guests travelling with family recommendations, while restaurants, attractions, mobility providers and entertainment venues could benefit from additional spending during the campaign period.
The programme also gives residents another reason to encourage visits during the summer months, when Dubai offers seasonal promotions through Dubai Summer Surprises.
For overseas visitors, it provides an opportunity to experience Dubai while their hosts enjoy valuable rewards that can be redeemed across participating brands.
Why It Matters
For UAE residents, the programme offers more than just discounts.
Here’s why it matters:
- Residents can unlock rewards worth over AED3,000
- Families and friends have another incentive to visit Dubai
- Hotels, attractions and restaurants benefit from increased visitor spending
- The campaign supports Dubai’s long-term tourism growth strategy
- Rewards continue to be valid until the end of 2026 for most participating offers
Residents planning to welcome overseas visitors later this year should remember that nominations must be completed before guests arrive in Dubai.
FAQs
Who can join the Dubai Invite programme?
UAE residents and citizens aged 18 or above with a valid Emirates ID are eligible to participate.
How much are the rewards worth?
Each eligible reward package offers benefits worth more than AED3,000, depending on participating brands and available promotions.
Can visitors arrive by road or sea?
Yes. Visitors can enter Dubai by air, sea or road during the campaign period.
Do residents need to upload proof after visitors arrive?
No. DET automatically verifies eligible arrivals through official entry records.
When do the offers expire?
Most rewards are valid until 31 December 2026, unless a participating partner specifies an earlier expiry date.
Dubai’s new ‘A Dubai Invite’ campaign gives residents an added incentive to bring family and friends to the emirate while supporting the city’s thriving tourism industry. With rewards worth over AED3,000, a straightforward nomination process and participation from major hospitality and transport brands, the initiative is expected to encourage more international visits throughout the second half of 2026.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.
Read More
- Dubai Comedy Festival Returns With Star-Studded Lineup
- Brand Dubai Launches Season 6 of Epic Summer Tourism Campaign
- Dubai to Host Its First DEKA FIT Challenge at Coca-Cola Arena This September
- Dubai’s Entertainment Calendar Gets a Major Upgrade: 5 Must-See Events This July
- Dubai Summer Surprises 2026 Is Back: Up To 90% Off, AED10 Meals, Concerts And 60 Days Of Deals
