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

Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations. 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 the 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 a tourist UAE or Dubai visa. The friend and family UAE visa differs 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, also known as 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 to sponsor a visa for their family and friends to visit 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, and other factors.

Who Can You Sponsor?

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

Immediate Family Members: You can sponsor UAE visit visas for 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. For 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 also sponsor a UAE visa for your extended family members. 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 also required in this case. 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, obtaining a sponsored UAE visit visa for friends can be somewhat challenging and may require additional verification. You may be required to place a security deposit, which will be refunded once your friend departs 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 a period of 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 plan to visit you in the UAE multiple times within the validity period of the visa, it is best to opt 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 six months if you plan to sponsor a friend’s or family member’s UAE visitor visa. You will also need to provide your Emirates ID.

Job and Salary: Not all UAE residents are eligible to 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: These are the documents that the visitor needs to submit.

• A 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 the GDFRA or ICP website for the same. You can also seek the assistance of a travel or visa agent for this purpose.

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, such as a 30-, 60-day, or 90-day visa. You also need to opt for a single entry or multiple entry visa here.
Step 3: Upload all necessary documents, including those of both the sponsor (you) and the visitor (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 via 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 a visa service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions