How to sponsor a relative's UAE visit visa

ICP runs the federal service for this visa and GDRFA runs Dubai’s. Their figures differ, and neither page says whether its figures apply in the other’s emirates. ICP’s page was last updated on 11 December 2024. GDRFA’s is undated.¹²

Can you sponsor your relative?

Yes, if you are a UAE resident and earn the minimum salary for that relationship. ICP sets it by degree of relationship.¹

You also need an active sponsor file for visa and residence services, and proof of kinship for the degree of relationship.¹ GDRFA Dubai sets no salary figure. It asks that the visitor is a relative or friend of a citizen or foreigner living in the UAE, with proof of the relationship and the reasons for the visit.²

How long can your relative stay?

30, 60 or 90 days, and up to 120 days in total with extensions.¹

• ICP may extend the visa once or several times, as long as the total stay does not pass 120 days.
• Your relative must enter within 60 days of the permit being issued. That period can be extended for a similar period.
• The passport must be valid for at least 6 months, and your relative needs a return ticket.
• An overstay costs AED 50 a day.

GDRFA grants the single-entry visa for 30, 60 or 90 days and says it processes the application in 48 hours.² ICP gives 2 days.¹

Apply for any extension before the permitted stay ends.

Does your relative need health insurance?

ICP lists it as a term and GDRFA charges for it. ICP’s terms include a “Valid Health Insurance Policy within the UAE”, and its fee list has no insurance line.¹ GDRFA’s conditions have no insurance line, but its fee list has medical insurance at AED 40 for 30 days, AED 60 for 60 days and AED 90 for 90 days.²

Neither page says what the GDRFA fee buys or from whom, names an insurer or a sum insured, says whether a policy bought elsewhere counts, or says whether cover must be extended when the stay is. Ask ICP or GDRFA before you buy a separate policy. The insurance term on other visa routes is in health insurance for a UAE visit or tourist visa.

What does the visa cost?

ICP charges AED 100 a month for a single-entry visa plus application and service fees. GDRFA Dubai charges AED 200 to 400 by length, plus 5% VAT. Both take a deposit of AED 1,000 for a single-entry visa. GDRFA says the total may vary with the circumstances of the person you sponsor.¹²

ICP says the deposit may be refunded on request once the visa is cancelled or your relative has left the UAE, as long as there were no residency violations.¹

Ask for the deposit back once your relative has left.

Which documents do you need?

ICP and GDRFA ask for slightly different sets. Between them, the two pages name:

• a copy of your relative’s passport, valid for at least 6 months
• a personal photo of your relative, two for GDRFA
• proof of kinship, which GDRFA says can be a marriage contract or a birth certificate
• your salary certificate, employment contract or partnership contract, for GDRFA
• a return ticket, for ICP
• a valid health insurance policy within the UAE, for ICP.¹²

Some nationalities need an extra identity document. ICP asks for a copy of the personal identification document for nationals of Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.¹ GDRFA asks for the home-country identity card for nationals of Iraq, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.² Pakistan is on the GDRFA list only.

Where do you apply?

Through ICP or GDRFA. ICP takes the application through the ICP Smart App and its smart services website, with login by UAE Pass. Its call centre number is 600522222.¹ GDRFA takes it through its website and smart app, Customer Happiness Centres and AMER centres. Its digital channels run 24 hours a day.²