A Comprehensive Guide About Sponsoring a UAE Visa for Friends and Family

Dubai is the most popular destination for tourism. Millions of tourists visit Dubai every year. This also means that there is a high demand for UAE visas. With this tourist visa, you get to visit the seven Emirates of the UAE. But not everyone wants to visit Dubai or UAE for tourism. With a large expat community living in the different emirates of the UAE, the possibility of friends and family visiting is always higher. But if you are an Emirate (citizen) or a UAE resident, you can sponsor a UAE visa for your family and friends. This visa is different from the tourist UAE or Dubai visa. The Friend and Family UAE visa is different from the regular Dubai visa and has a different set of rules and regulations. Here is a detailed guide on how to sponsor a UAE visa for friends or family.

Who Can Sponsor a UAE Visa for Friends and Family

• Citizens of the UAE or Emiratis (i.e., UAE passport-holders) are eligible to sponsor a UAE visitor visa for their family members and friends.
• Residents of the UAE with a valid UAE resident visa are also eligible for sponsoring a visa to their family and friends for a visit to the country.

P.S. It is important that there are some additional requirements that the UAE resident must fulfill to sponsor your family and friends. This is related to your salary, job position, accommodation conditions, etc.

Who Can You Sponsor?

A UAE citizen and resident can sponsor a family visit visa UAE for the following groups of people.

Immediate Family Members: You can sponsor UAE visit visas to your immediate family members, which include parents, spouse, and children. In each of the cases, you will have to show proof of the same. A marriage certificate is adequate for spouses, while birth certificates work for kids’ visas. In the case of parents, birth certificates, passport copies (if names of the parents are mentioned), or legal affidavits that confirm the relationship between the resident and his/her parents are the accepted documents.

Extended Family Members: You can sponsor the UAE visa for your extended family members as well. This will include siblings, parents-in-law, and other relatives like uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. This will also include your married, adult children, and their spouses. Proof of relationships is needed in this case as well. This could be birth certificates, marriage certificates, or affidavits. Sometimes more than one proof would be needed. For instance, if you are sponsoring the UAE visa for your parents-in-law, you will need to submit your spouse’s birth certificate as well as your marriage certificate to prove your relationship.

Friends: Sponsoring friends is also allowed. In this case, you do not need any relationship proof. However, getting a sponsored UAE visit visa for friends is a tad bit difficult and may require more verification. You may require putting in a security deposit, which will be returned to you once your friend leaves the UAE.

Validity of Sponsored UAE Visit Visas

You have three options when it comes to sponsored UAE visitor visas. A short-term visitor visa is available for 30 days. Two long-term visas are available: one for 60 days and the other for 90 days. All three of them are available on single-entry and multiple-entry visas. The single-entry visa is apt for one-time visitors. If your family members or friends are planning to visit you in the UAE multiple times within the validity period of the visa, it is best to go for a multiple-entry visa.

What are the UAE Sponsorship Visa Eligibility Requirements?

Resident Visa and Emirates ID: A valid UAE resident visa is a must for this type of visa. Your resident visa should have a minimum validity of 6 months if you are planning to sponsor your friend or family’s UAE visitor visa. You will have to provide your Emirates ID as well.

Job and Salary: Not all UAE residents can sponsor a UAE visit visa. Your job position must be classified as first level or second level by the authorities. Moreover, you also need to meet the minimum monthly salary threshold.

Accommodation: You need to have enough room to accommodate your family or friend, if you are sponsoring the UAE visa.

What are the Documents Required for a Sponsored UAE Visa?

The UAE family visit visa requirements are as follows:

Visitor’s Documents: There are the documents that the visitor needs to submit.

• Passport with a validity of at least six months
• Passport-sized photographs
• National ID card
• Proof of relationship (for families)
• Copy of travel insurance

Sponsor’s Documents: As a sponsor, here are the documents that you will need to submit.

• Copy of passport
• Copy of Emirates ID
• Copy of UAE resident visa
• Proof of accommodation (tenancy contract)
• Salary certificate
• Proof of financials (bank statements)

What is the Process of Sponsoring a UAE Visa?

Once all the documents are ready, the next step is to start the visa application process. The entire thing is done online. You can use GDFRA or ICP website for the same. You can also get the help of a travel or visa agent for the same.

Step 1: Open an account on the website or app of your choice to begin the visa application process.
Step 2: The next step is to choose the visa type, whether you want 30-,60-, or 90-day visa. You also need to opt for a single entry or multiple entry visa here.
Step 3: Upload all the necessary documents, both yours (sponsor) and the visitor’s (your family, relative, or friend).
Step 4: Once the documents are uploaded, you will have to pay the visa fee. The cost of this visa would depend on the duration of the visit visa you are applying for.
Step 5: After the visa fee is paid, the application goes for verification. If approved, the visitor will receive the e-visa in his or her email.

Conclusion

Sponsoring a UAE visitor visa for your family and friends is quite easy if you fulfill all the requirements. If you still find it difficult, you can always consult a travel agent or visa agent.

Frequently Asked Questions