Dubai visit visa for a relative or friend: the short answer
A UAE citizen or foreign resident can sponsor a visit visa for a relative or friend through GDRFA Dubai. A single-entry visa lasts 30, 60 or 90 days and is processed within 48 hours once the documents are in and the fees are paid. Expect a visa fee of AED 200, 300 or 400, 5% VAT, medical insurance and a financial security deposit of AED 1,000. A stay can be extended, up to 180 days in total. For what decides the timeline, see our Dubai tourist visa in 48 hours guide.
What it costs
| Item | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (AED) | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| VAT | 5% on top of the visa fee | ||
| Medical insurance (AED) | 40 | 60 | 90 |
| Financial security deposit (AED) | 1,000, set according to the purpose of the visit | ||
| Deposit service fee (AED) | 20 | ||
| Deposit collection and reimbursement fee (AED) | 40 | ||
If the person you are sponsoring is already inside the UAE, GDRFA adds a Knowledge Dirham of AED 10, an Innovation Dirham of AED 10 and a fee inside the UAE of AED 500. GDRFA says the total may vary with the case.
Imagine This: Hosting a Relative for 60 Days
The host and relative here are made up, and the maths uses the fees above for someone applying from outside the UAE. A 60-day visa costs AED 300 plus 5% VAT, which is AED 315. Medical insurance for 60 days adds AED 60. The deposit is AED 1,000 plus the AED 20 and AED 40 fees, so AED 1,060. The total paid at application is AED 315 + 60 + 1,060 = AED 1,435. Of that, AED 1,000 is the deposit, which GDRFA lists with a reimbursement fee, so ask GDRFA when it is returned.
Documents you need
- Two personal photos
- A copy of the visitor’s passport, valid for at least 6 months
- Proof of the relationship and the reason for the visit, such as a marriage contract or a birth certificate
- The sponsor’s proof of work: a salary certificate for government, semi-government or free-zone employees, an employment contract for private companies, or a partnership contract for partners
- For visitors who are nationals of Iraq, Pakistan, Iran or Afghanistan, a national ID card from the country of origin
A foreign wife visiting a husband who is a citizen of a GCC state must hold a valid residence permit in that husband’s country.
How to apply
- Online: sign in to the GDRFA Dubai website or smart app with UAE Pass or a username, search for the service, complete the form and pay.
- In person: visit a Customer Happiness Center or an Amer service centre, take a queue ticket, hand your application and documents to a staff member and pay.
- Wait about 48 hours. Online channels run 24/7, and in-person centres follow their working hours.
Extending the visit
GDRFA Dubai offers an extension service for a relative or friend’s visit visa. The extension fee is AED 600 plus 5% VAT, and the person must be covered by a passport copy. If the visitor is inside the UAE, the same extra fees apply: AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and AED 500 fee inside the country. Processing is 48 hours, and a decision can extend the visa one or more times for a total of no more than 180 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 48-hour timeline guaranteed?
No. It applies once all documents are submitted and the fees are paid. Missing papers slow it down.
What if my visitor overstays?
A visit visa gets no grace period, and the daily overstay fine starts the day after expiry. See our overstay fine guide.
Where to go next
- Dubai tourist visa in 48 hours
- UAE tourist visa 2026: types, extensions and overstay rules
- Which UAE tourist visa should you choose?
- The 5-year tourist visa, a self-sponsored option for frequent visitors
Not sure which visa you need? Start with our UAE visa types index.
