GDRFA clarifies UAE visit visa rules: salary, fees, documents

The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) has clarified the requirements for the UAE's visit visa for family and relatives, a scheme that allows residents to sponsor loved ones and friends for short-term visits, with stays of up to 120 days a year. The authority said applicants can choose between single-entry and multiple-entry visas valid for 30, 60 or 90 days. Visitors can also extend their stay from within the UAE, subject to approval and compliance with regulations. A single-entry visa permits one visit during the approved period, while a multiple-entry visa allows travellers to enter and leave the UAE several times during the visa's validity. GDRFA Dubai has set minimum income limit based on the visitor's relationship to the sponsor. Residents sponsoring first-degree relatives must earn at least Dh4,000 per month. Sponsoring second- and third-degree relatives requires a minimum monthly salary of Dh8,000. Residents wishing to sponsor a friend must have a monthly salary of at least Dh15,000. Single-entry visit visa fees start at Dh200 for 30 days, Dh300 for 60 days and Dh400 for 90 days. Multiple-entry visas are priced at Dh300 for 30 days, Dh500 for 60 days and Dh700 for 90 days. Applicants must also provide a refundable security deposit of Dh1,000 for single-entry visas, while multiple-entry visas require a Dh2,000 refundable financial guarantee.