The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set a minimum salary requirement for expatriates to sponsor family members or friends for a visitor visa.
According to a major update to immigration policy reported by the Gulf News, the policy is designed to support the Emirates’ global economic ambitions.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) announced these changes to visit visa categories, durations, and conditions.
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New financial thresholds for sponsorship
The key amendment affects the conditions under which a foreign resident can act as a guarantor for a visitor.
The new, tiered system mandates a minimum salary based on the relationship with the host:
Direct relatives such as parents and children: The guarantor’s monthly income must be no less than Dh4,000 (£890).
Second- and third-degree relatives: The monthly income requirement should be at least Dh8,000 (£1,780).
Friends: The friends’ monthly income should be at a minimum of Dh15,000 (£3,340) to be eligible for a sponsored visit visa.
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These figures demonstrate a clear tightening of the financial requirements for UK nationals and other expatriates who wish to sponsor social visits.
Driving global competitiveness
Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director general of the ICP, stated that the decision follows careful studies and forward-looking assessments aimed at aligning with local, regional, and international trends.
The overall goal of the update is to enhance the UAE’s competitiveness and improve the quality of life, while simultaneously attracting talented individuals, experts, and entrepreneurs, particularly in high-growth sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, entertainment, and tourism.
The new regulations are effective immediately and reflect the authority’s dual mandate of supporting both community security and economic diversification and growth.
They are intended to cater to the needs of customers while also taking into account the humanitarian and economic circumstances of those wishing to live, work, or explore opportunities in the Emirates.
