UAE Family Visit Visa 2026: Requirements, Fees and How to Apply
A UAE family visit visa lets a UAE resident invite a relative from abroad for a temporary stay. Officially, it is a visit visa (entry permit) “for a relative or friend”. It does not give the visitor residence rights. This guide covers who can sponsor, the salary bands, documents, published fees and how to apply through ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
At a glance
| Visa type | Visit visa (entry permit) for a relative or friend |
| Sponsor | A UAE resident (host) |
| Options | Single or multiple entry; 30, 60 or 90 days |
| Sponsor salary | Depending on the relationship, AED 4,000, 8,000, or 15,000 |
| Published service time | ICP: 2 days. GDRFA Dubai: 48 hours |
| Where to apply | Depending on your situation, either GDRFA Dubai or ICP |
What Is a UAE Family Visit Visa?
The UAE government describes a visit visa as an entry permit for purposes that include visiting a relative or friend. “Family visit visa” is not an official service name, rather it is a popular search term.
The official service titles are:
- ICP: “Issuance of a Visa”, visitor category “For visiting relatives, friends” (ICP).
- GDRFA Dubai: “Issuing a visit visa for a relative or friend for one entry” (GDRFA) and “Multi-Entry Visa for a relative or friend” (GDRFA).
This is not a tourist visa. ICP lists tourism visit visas as a separate category, arranged through authorised tourism establishments. It is neither an extension nor a residency visa. For other categories, see our UAE visa guide.
An entry permit and the permitted stay are different things. ICP says the visitor must enter within 60 days of the permit being issued, and Gulf News reports the same for GDRFA Dubai. The stay itself is 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on the option chosen.
Who Can Sponsor a Family Visit Visa for the UAE?
The sponsor is a UAE resident. ICP states that the host or head of family must have an active sponsor file. GDRFA Dubai’s clarification, as reported by Gulf News, says sponsors need a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
ICP defines the relationship categories as follows:
| Category | Relatives included |
| First degree | Father, mother, spouse, son, daughter |
| Second degree | Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren |
| Third degree | Uncle, aunt, cousins |
| Friend | Any non-relative |
In-laws are not named in ICP’s list. If you want to invite one, confirm the category with ICP or GDRFA first.
One special case: a foreign wife visiting a husband who is a GCC citizen. GDRFA says she must be licensed to hold a valid residence permit in the country of her husband’s nationality. ICP’s document list instead asks for a copy of her residence permit in the GCC country where the husband resides. The wording differs, so confirm which applies with the authority before applying.
UAE Family Visit Visa Requirements in 2026
| Requirement | ICP | GDRFA Dubai |
| Sponsor | Resident with an active sponsor file | Dubai residence holder (per Gulf News report of GDRFA’s clarification) |
| Relationship | Proof of kinship according to the degree | Proof of relationship and justification for the visit |
| Visitor’s passport | Valid at least 6 months | Valid at least 6 months (single-entry page) |
| Health insurance | Valid UAE health insurance listed as a condition | Medical insurance charged as a fee line (30/60/90 days) |
| Return ticket | Listed | Not listed on the service pages |
| Financial guarantee | Yes; refundable on request under ICP’s conditions | Yes (security deposit or guarantee) |
Use the authority that issued the sponsor’s residence. This is GDRFA Dubai for residents of Dubai. Sponsors with residence from other emirates should check ICP or their emirate’s channel.
UAE Family Visit Visa Sponsor Salary Requirements
ICP lists these minimum monthly salaries for a resident sponsor:
| Visitor | Minimum monthly salary |
| First-degree relative | AED 4,000 |
| Second- or third-degree relative | AED 8,000 |
| Friend | AED 15,000 |
GDRFA Dubai has communicated the same bands, according to Gulf News (17 July 2026). The GDRFA service pages checked for this guide do not list them, so confirm at application.
These bands apply to visit visas. They do not apply to the requirements for a UAE family residency visa, which is a different procedure.
The salary band is one condition among several. The sponsor file, proof of relationship and financial guarantee also apply. The official pages do not say whether “salary” means basic pay or the full package.
For Dubai applications, GDRFA lists these income documents:
- A salary certificate (government, semi-government and free zone employees)
- An employment contract (private companies)
- A partnership contract (business partners)
Documents Required for a UAE Family Visit Visa
Not every document applies to every case. ICP pre-fills data where it can and asks for attachments only if retrieval fails.
| Document | Where it is listed |
| Visitor’s passport copy, valid at least 6 months | ICP, GDRFA |
| Visitor’s personal photo | ICP; GDRFA (two photos on the single-entry page) |
| Proof of relationship (marriage contract, birth certificate) | GDRFA lists both; ICP asks for proof of kinship by degree |
| Sponsor’s income document | GDRFA |
| Justification for the visit | GDRFA, ICP (terms) |
| Home-country ID card | GDRFA: Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan. ICP’s page: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq |
| Valid UAE health insurance, return ticket | ICP |
| Medical report | Appears on ICP’s page in a document block whose category is not clearly labelled. Not listed on GDRFA’s pages. Confirm before applying |
Media reports for Dubai also mention the sponsor’s Emirates ID and passport copy and proof of accommodation. These are not on the GDRFA service pages. The official pages do not set out attestation or translation rules for relationship documents, so ask the authority before ordering attestations.
UAE Family Visit Visa Fees
There is no single official total. ICP and GDRFA Dubai publish different charges, so they are shown separately.
ICP
| Charge | Amount |
| Application fee | AED 100 |
| Visit visa issuance, single entry | AED 100 per month |
| Visit visa issuance, multiple entry | AED 200 per month |
| Smart service fee | AED 100 |
| Financial guarantee, single / multiple entry | AED 1,000 / AED 2,000 |
| Financial guarantee deposit fee | AED 20 |
GDRFA Dubai
| Charge | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days |
| Visa fee, single entry | AED 200 | AED 300 | AED 400 |
| Visa fee, multiple entry | AED 300 | AED 500 | AED 700 |
| Medical insurance | AED 40 | AED 60 | AED 90 |
Also listed by GDRFA:
- 5% VAT on the visa fee
- A security deposit: AED 1,000 (single entry) or AED 2,000 (multiple entry)
- A guarantee service fee of AED 20
- A collection and return fee of AED 40
If the sponsored person is already inside the UAE, GDRFA adds AED 10 (Knowledge Dirham), AED 10 (Innovation Dirham) and AED 500 (inside-country fee).
ICP says the guarantee can be refunded on request after the visa is cancelled or the visitor leaves, provided no residency violations occurred. GDRFA’s page lists a fee for returning the guarantee but does not spell out refund conditions. GDRFA also warns that the total can vary with the visitor’s circumstances. What matters is the amount displayed on the payment screen.
How to Apply for a UAE Family Visit Visa Online
First, choose the authority. Use GDRFA Dubai for Dubai residence. Otherwise check ICP or your emirate’s channel.
ICP
- Use the ICP app or the ICP Smart Services website to log in using your UAE Pass.
- Select the visitor category for friends or family when you begin the visa issuing process.
- Select single or multiple entry and the duration. Check the pre-filled data.
- If the system requests documents, attach them.
- After paying the fees, watch for the outcome.
GDRFA Dubai
- Enter your username or UAE Pass to access the GDRFA app or smart services.Â
- The official link opens in Arabic; switch the language on the page if needed.
- Search for the single-entry or multi-entry relative or friend service.
- Complete the application details.
- Pay the fees.
GDRFA applications can also be made at Amer centres or Customer Happiness Centres.
Portal screen labels can differ from the service titles above. The logged-in screens were not reviewed for this guide.
UAE Family Visit Visa Duration and Validity
| Item | What the official pages say |
| Entry permit validity | Visitor must enter within 60 days of issue (ICP; Gulf News reports the same for GDRFA Dubai) |
| Stay options | 30, 60 or 90 days |
| Entries | Single or multiple |
| Total stay with extensions | ICP’s issuance page: up to 120 days. ICP’s extension page: relative/friend permits up to 180 days. GDRFA Dubai (per Gulf News): up to 120 days a year |
The official figures differ. Consider the time frame indicated at the time of application or extension to be the applicable period. See how to extend a visitation visa if your relative requires a longer time. Staying beyond the permitted period brings a fine of AED 50 per day, according to ICP. See our overstay fine guide.
How Long Does the Application Take?
ICP reports a two-day service completion time. 48 hours is published by GDRFA Dubai. These are service goals, not assurances of approval. Missing documents or a request for more information can add time.
Common Application Problems and What to Check
- Salary band. Match the sponsor’s income to the visitor’s relationship category.
- Sponsor file. ICP requires an active sponsor file.
- Proof of relationship. It should match the degree you are claiming.
- Passport validity. At least six months for the visitor.
- Nationality-specific ID. Check whether a home-country ID card is listed for the visitor’s nationality.
- Insurance and return ticket. ICP lists both as conditions.
- Visitor already in the UAE. GDRFA lists extra charges in that case.
- Wrong authority. Apply via the organization that granted the sponsor’s residency.
We found no official ICP or GDRFA announcement suspending these visas for Pakistani or Bangladeshi nationals. Some media reports describe uneven processing, so check the current position with the authority before booking tickets.
Family Visit Visa vs Family Residence Visa
| Family visit visa | Family residence visa | |
| Purpose | Temporary visit | Living in the UAE |
| Sponsor salary | AED 4,000 / 8,000 / 15,000 by relationship | AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 including lodging (u.ae) |
| Medical fitness test | It’s not mentioned on GDRFA pages, and it’s unclear on ICP’s page. | Required for sponsored persons aged 18+ |
| Stay | 30, 60 or 90 days | Residence permit linked to the sponsor’s visa |
For the residence route, read our guide to UAE family residence visa requirements. For wider residence options, see the UAE residence visa guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor a family visit visa in the United Arab Emirates?
A UAE resident with an active sponsor file who meets the salary band for the relationship, according to ICP.
To sponsor a relative, what pay is necessary?
AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives and AED 8,000 for second- or third-degree relatives, per ICP.
Can UAE residents invite their parents?
Yes. Parents are first-degree relatives, so the AED 4,000 band applies. Other conditions, such as the sponsor file and guarantee, still apply.
Can I sponsor my mother-in-law or father-in-law?
ICP’s relationship list does not name in-laws. Confirm with the authority.
Which documents prove a family relationship?
GDRFA lists a marriage contract and birth certificate. ICP asks for proof of kinship by degree. Attestation rules are not detailed on the official pages.
Can I apply via GDRFA Dubai or ICP?
Use the authority that issued the sponsor’s residence. Dubai residence holders use GDRFA Dubai.
How long can a family member stay?
The visa is for 30, 60 or 90 days. Although official pages provide various totals (120 or 180 days), extensions are conceivable. Examine the portal’s displayed figure.
Is the deposit refundable?
ICP says the guarantee can be refunded on request after cancellation or exit, if there are no violations. GDRFA’s page lists a return fee but not the conditions.
NOTE: Fees and rules can change, so confirm the amount on the payment screen. Gulf Visa Guide is an independent information website and is not a UAE government site.
