Residents in the United Arab Emirates will need to meet specific salary requirements before sponsoring visit visas for relatives or friends in 2026.
The required income will depend on the visitor’s relationship with the sponsor.
Those bringing first-degree relatives—including parents, spouses, sons and daughters—must earn at least AED 4,000 (approximately KSh 141,000) per month.
The minimum monthly salary rises to AED 8,000 (approximately KSh 282,000) for residents sponsoring second- or third-degree relatives. This category includes siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and cousins.
Residents hoping to sponsor friends who are not relatives will face the highest threshold. They must earn at least AED 15,000 (approximately KSh 529,000) every month.
Additional requirements for sponsors
Meeting the salary threshold alone will not be enough. The sponsor or head of the family must also have an active sponsor file, which allows them to access visa and residence services.
Applicants must submit documents proving their relationship with the visitor, depending on the degree of kinship involved.
Duration of the UAE visit visa
The entry permit remains valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Visitors must enter the UAE within that period.
Where applicable, the permit may be extended for another similar period. Depending on the option selected during the application, visitors may stay for 30, 60 or 90 days.
The UAE authority may approve one or more extensions, but the visitor’s total stay must not exceed 120 days.
