The United Arab Emirates has revised its visit visa rules, with one of the most significant updates being the new UAE visit visa salary requirements. These new rules affect expatriates who wish to invite relatives or friends to the UAE on a visit visa. If you are planning to sponsor someone, it is important to understand the updated salary thresholds, how they differ from the old system, and what documents are needed.
Why UAE salary requirements were introduced?
The salary rules are meant to ensure that sponsors can provide proper financial support for their visitors during their stay. By setting clear minimum income thresholds, UAE authorities have also standardized a process that was previously applied in different ways across emirates.
The system is now more transparent, but also stricter—especially when it comes to sponsoring distant relatives or friends.
The new UAE visit visa salary requirements
Relationship / Category | Older / agency-cited minimum (approx.) | New formalized minimum under recent rules |
Spouse, children, parents | AED 4,000 | AED 4,000 |
Siblings / dependents | ~ AED 5,500 | AED 8,000 |
In-laws | ~ AED 7,000 | (falls under second/third degree) AED 8,000 |
Friends / other relatives | ~ AED 10,000 | AED 15,000 |
Previously, there was no uniform federal standard. Airlines, visa agencies, and immigration offices often listed different minimum salaries depending on the visitor type.
Now, under the new UAE visit visa salary requirements, these figures have been formalized and, in some cases, increased. The largest jump is for friends and distant relatives, where the threshold has risen from around AED 10,000 to AED 15,000. For siblings and similar cases, the requirement has also increased from around AED 5,500–7,000 to AED 8,000. Only the rule for spouses, children, and parents has remained the same at AED 4,000.
Required documents for sponsors
Alongside the new UAE salary requirements, sponsors must submit official documents to prove eligibility. These usually include:
Salary certificate or employment contract (attested and issued by employer or free-zone authority).
Proof of relationship with the visitor (such as birth or marriage certificates).
Bank statements showing stable income (commonly 3–6 months).
Proof of accommodation (Ejari or tenancy contract in Dubai, for example).
Without these documents, applications are unlikely to be approved even if the salary requirement is met.
Exceptions and alternative options
Not all visit visas are linked to a host or sponsor. For example, the 5-year multi-entry tourist visa can be applied for directly and does not require a UAE-based sponsor or a salary certificate. However, applicants for such visas must meet other conditions, such as proof of funds and travel insurance.
The new UAE visit visa salary requirements bring clarity but also raise the bar for many expatriates who want to host friends or extended family. If you are planning to sponsor someone, review the updated thresholds, prepare all required documents, and check with the official immigration authority of your emirate before applying.
