ABU DHABI, UAE — The UAE has officially rolled out a significant update to its visit visa regulations, introducing strict new minimum salary requirements for expatriate residents looking to sponsor entry permits for their friends and relatives.
The changes, announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), are part of the nation’s broader strategy to align its residency and visit visa policies with its economic and social goals, ensuring stability and a high quality of life.
Three Tiers of Income for Sponsorship
The new rules establish three distinct financial tiers for sponsors, with the required minimum monthly income increasing based on the degree of kinship:
| Relationship to Sponsor (Host) | Minimum Monthly Income Required |
| First-degree relatives (e.g., parents, children, siblings) | AED 4,000 |
| Second- and third-degree relatives (e.g., grandparents, uncles, cousins) | AED 8,000 |
| Friends | AED 15,000 |
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The regulation specifies that a resident must meet these income thresholds to act as a guarantor for a friend or relative’s short-term entry permit.
The Rationale Behind the Move
Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the ICP, stated that the decision follows “careful studies and forward-looking assessments” conducted by the Authority. These assessments considered local, regional, and international residency trends, as well as customer feedback.
The amendments are designed to balance humanitarian and economic factors, ensuring that residents who host visitors have the financial capacity to support them while maintaining high safety and quality standards across the emirates.
This move complements other recent visa reforms aimed at attracting global talent in sectors like technology, artificial intelligence, entertainment, and tourism, reinforcing the UAE’s competitive standing globally. The ICP has confirmed that the Director General retains the authority to waive certain financial or kinship requirements in exceptional humanitarian cases.
Conclusion
The UAE’s updated visit visa structure marks a clear step towards greater financial regulation in the host-sponsorship system. While still maintaining provisions for friends and extended family, the required salary benchmarks ensure that resident hosts are financially secure. For expatriates planning to welcome loved ones, understanding these new tiers will be the essential first step in the visit visa application process.
Affiliate Disclosure
This news article provides factual information only and does not contain any links or endorsements for commercial visa services.
Disclaimer
The details concerning the minimum salary requirements (AED 4,000, AED 8,000, and AED 15,000) and the respective degrees of kinship are based on the latest official announcements and amendments from the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP). Readers should consult the official ICP website for the most current regulations and application procedures.
Official Website Link: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) – https://icp.gov.ae (I have provided the official website link with a hyperlink as per your instruction dated 2025-08-05.)
