UAE residents sponsoring family members or friends for a visit visa in 2026 must meet a minimum monthly salary based on their relationship with the visitor. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) sets the requirement at AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second- and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends. Applicants must also meet documentation, passport, insurance and travel requirements.
- Location: UAE
- Organisation: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
- Status: Applicable in 2026
- Who is affected: UAE residents sponsoring relatives or friends
- Minimum salary: AED 4,000 to AED 15,000, depending on relationship
- Visa duration: 30, 60 or 90 days, with extensions subject to applicable rules
- What’s next: Eligible residents can apply through the relevant immigration service
The UAE visit visa rules 2026 require residents to meet a minimum monthly salary before sponsoring relatives or friends. According to ICP, the requirement is AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second- and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends.
The rules apply to residents bringing visitors to the UAE and are based on the relationship between the sponsor and visitor. Applicants must also provide the required documents, including proof of relationship for relatives, as well as meet passport, insurance and travel-ticket requirements.
What salary is required to sponsor a family member or friend in the UAE?
The minimum salary depends on the visitor’s relationship with the UAE resident.
ICP places parents, spouses, sons and daughters in the first-degree category. Residents sponsoring these relatives must earn at least AED 4,000 per month.
The second-degree category includes siblings, grandparents and grandchildren. The minimum salary for sponsoring visitors in this group is AED 8,000 per month.
The third-degree category includes uncles, aunts and cousins, and the same AED 8,000 monthly salary requirement applies.
For a friend or non-relative, the minimum monthly salary is AED 15,000.
This makes the relationship category an important eligibility check before a resident submits an application.
UAE visit visa salary requirements
| Visitor relationship | Minimum monthly salary |
|---|---|
| First-degree relative | AED 4,000 |
| Second-degree relative | AED 8,000 |
| Third-degree relative | AED 8,000 |
| Friend/non-relative | AED 15,000 |
Who counts as a first-, second- or third-degree relative?
ICP uses specific relationship categories when processing applications.
First-degree relatives: Father, mother, spouse, son and daughter.
Second-degree relatives: Brother, sister, grandfather and grandmother, as well as grandchildren.
Third-degree relatives: Uncle, aunt and cousin.
Residents applying for relatives must provide proof of kinship as part of the application. This requirement helps establish that the visitor falls within the relevant relationship category.
Friends are treated differently because they are not family members. ICP sets a higher AED 15,000 monthly income requirement for sponsoring a non-relative.
What documents are needed for a UAE relative or friend visit visa?
Meeting the salary requirement does not automatically guarantee visa approval. Applicants must satisfy the other conditions set by the relevant immigration authority.
ICP requires visitors to have a passport valid for at least six months. A valid UAE health insurance policy and a return travel ticket are also required for the relevant visit visa category.
The UAE resident sponsoring the visitor must have an active sponsor file before applying for visa and residence services.
Other documents can include:
- Passport copy of the visitor
- Personal photographs
- Proof of kinship for relatives
- Documents required for the selected visa category
- Valid health insurance
- Return or onward travel ticket
Applications for federal immigration services can be submitted through the ICP Smart App or ICP Smart Services website. ICP lists a service completion period of two days, provided all requirements and documents are fulfilled.
For Dubai-issued immigration services, residents may instead deal with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, depending on the application route.
How long can a UAE family or friend visit visa last?
ICP allows relative and friend visit visas to be issued for 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on the selected visa duration.
The entry permit must generally be used within 60 days from its date of issuance. This is different from the visitor’s permitted stay after entering the UAE.
Extensions can be available under the applicable immigration procedures. Current ICP information states that the total duration can reach up to 180 days for this visit visa category, subject to the relevant rules and approvals.
Visitors and sponsors should therefore check both the entry permit validity and the approved period of stay. Remaining in the UAE after the permitted period can result in overstay penalties.
How much does it cost to sponsor a relative or friend?
The final visa cost depends on factors including the duration, entry type and services selected.
ICP lists an AED 100 application fee and an AED 100 smart service fee.
For issuance, the listed charges are:
- Single entry: AED 100 per month
- Multiple entry: AED 200 per month
- Single-entry financial guarantee: AED 1,000
- Multiple-entry financial guarantee: AED 2,000
- Financial guarantee deposit fee: AED 20
The financial guarantee may be refundable after visa cancellation or the visitor’s departure, provided the applicable conditions are met and no residency violations are recorded.
Because fees can vary according to the selected service, applicants should check the applicable immigration portal before submitting payment.
Why It Matters
The salary thresholds give UAE residents a clear way to check whether they meet the basic financial requirement before sponsoring someone.
A resident earning AED 4,000 per month may meet the salary threshold for a first-degree relative, while sponsorship of a second- or third-degree relative requires AED 8,000. Sponsoring a friend requires AED 15,000.
The rules are particularly relevant to residents planning family visits during school holidays, public holidays or other periods when relatives and friends commonly travel to the UAE.
The process also differs depending on the immigration authority handling the application. Residents using federal ICP services should follow ICP’s requirements, while Dubai applicants should check the applicable GDRFA Dubai process.
FAQs
What is the minimum salary to sponsor a family visit visa in the UAE?
The minimum salary is AED 4,000 per month for first-degree relatives. The requirement is AED 8,000 for second- and third-degree relatives.
What salary is required to sponsor a friend for a UAE visit visa?
A UAE resident must earn at least AED 15,000 per month to meet the income requirement for sponsoring a friend or non-relative.
Can I sponsor my brother or sister for a UAE visit visa?
Yes. Under ICP’s relationship classification, siblings are included in the second-degree relative category. The sponsor must meet the AED 8,000 monthly salary requirement and provide the required proof of relationship.
How long can a relative stay in the UAE on a visit visa?
The visit visa can be issued for 30, 60 or 90 days. Extensions are subject to the applicable rules, with the total duration potentially reaching up to 180 days.
Is health insurance required for a UAE visit visa?
Yes. ICP lists valid UAE health insurance among the requirements for the relevant relative and friend visit visa category.
UAE residents planning to sponsor family members or friends in 2026 should check their salary and relationship category before applying. The minimum monthly income is AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second- and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends.
Applicants must also meet requirements covering documentation, passport validity, health insurance, travel tickets and visa duration. Dubai residents should check whether their application falls under GDRFA Dubai rather than the federal ICP process.
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