Table of Contents
- At a glance: Minimum salary by relationship
- What this change means (in plain English)
- Quick self-check examples
- Degrees of kinship—explained
- Document checklist (resident sponsor & visitor)
- How this differs from residence visas
- Other updates announced with this change
- Compliance tips from our desk
- Final word
- >>> Have questions about the new UAE visit visa salary requirements? Contact us today.
- Frequently asked questions
At a glance: Minimum salary by relationship
Residents can sponsor relatives (up to the 3rd degree) or friends for a visit visa if they meet the minimum monthly income thresholds below.
| Who you want to sponsor | Who counts (examples) | Minimum monthly income (AED) |
| First-degree relatives | Father, mother, spouse, son, daughter | 4,000 |
| Second-degree relatives | Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren | 8,000 |
| Third-degree relatives | Uncle, aunt, cousins | 8,000 |
| Friends (non-relatives) | Friends/colleagues | 15,000 |
What this change means (in plain English)
- Sponsorship is possible for more people (up to 3rd-degree relatives) and even friends, provided your salary meets the relevant band. This applies to visit visas, not residence visas.
- Documents still matter: expect a passport valid ≥ 6 months, a return/onward ticket, valid health insurance in the UAE, and proof of kinship for relatives.
- The update arrived alongside clarified stay lengths/extension rules (six visit-visa types) and four new visit-visa categories (AI specialists; entertainment/events; cruise ships; leisure vessels).
Quick self-check examples
- You earn AED 6,500 → You can sponsor first-degree relatives (spouse/child/parents). Not second/third-degree or friends.
- You earn AED 9,000 → You can sponsor first-, second-, and third-degree relatives. Not friends.
- You earn AED 16,000 → You can sponsor relatives up to 3rd degree and friends.
Degrees of kinship—explained
- 1st degree: parents, spouse, children
- 2nd degree: siblings, grandparents, grandchildren
- 3rd degree: uncles, aunts, cousins
- Keep proof of kinship ready (e.g., marriage/birth certificates).
Document checklist (resident sponsor & visitor)
Sponsor (UAE resident):
- Evidence of meeting the income threshold (salary certificate/bank statements as applicable)
- Proof of relationship for relatives (per degree of kinship)
Visitor:
- Passport valid at least 6 months
- Return/onward ticket
- Valid health insurance in the UAE
How this differs from residence visas
These rules are for visit visas. Sponsoring family for residence follows different criteria. For example, certain family residence sponsorships may require AED 4,000 salary (or AED 3,000 + accommodation), which is separate from the visit-visa thresholds above.
Other updates announced with this change
- Six visit-visa stay types clarified, with extension powers specified.
- Four new visit-visa categories (AI, entertainment/events, cruise ships, leisure vessels).
- Humanitarian one-year residence (extendable under set conditions).
- Residence without sponsor for foreign widows/divorced women (renewable).
- Business exploration visa criteria tightened (financial solvency + external company share or proven practice).
- Foreign truck drivers: eligible for single/multiple-trip visas subject to sponsor, financial guarantee/fees, and health coverage.
Compliance tips from our desk
- Match the relationship to your income band before you start a file. Keep salary evidence handy.
- Prepare documents early—passports expire faster than you think (airlines enforce the 6‑month validity rule).
- Insurance is not a formality; it’s explicitly listed on ICP’s service page for visit visas.
Final word
The new AED 4k / 8k / 15k tiers make it easier to know—at a glance—who you can invite and when. If your salary clears the right band and your documents are in order, sponsorship should be straightforward under the clarified rules.
>>> Have questions about the new UAE visit visa salary requirements? Contact us today.
Frequently asked questions
You can sponsor multiple visitors if you meet the criteria for each case; approvals remain at the discretion of authorities and standard fees apply
No. The threshold is necessary, not sufficient—applications still undergo verification and eligibility checks.
No kinship proof is required for friends, but you must meet the AED 15,000 sponsor income and provide the visitor’s required documents.
Apply via ICP Smart Services or the relevant emirate channels (e.g., GDRFA-Dubai).
