UAE visas: Expats need monthly income of Dhs10,000 to sponsor 5 relatives

The UAE has updated visa sponsorship regulations and clarifications for expats in a new resolution.

Resolution No 74 of 2022, issued by ICP chairman Ali Mohammad Al Shamsi, covers the conditions and controls specified in Cabinet Resolution No 65 of 2022, which became effective on October 3, 2022.

The latest resolution, which was first reported by Al Khaleej, outlines all procedures associated with the loss or damage of passports or identity cards for expats, whether they occur within or outside of the country. It stipulates that UAE residents who wish to bring their relatives or their wives’ relatives to the UAE must have adequate housing and monthly income.

UAE visa sponsorship

For UAE residents to sponsor foreigners, the following degree of kinship must exist: father, mother, underage siblings or wife’s father and mother—if they can support them financially. If an expat in the UAE is related to an Emirati, they need to prove their family relationship.

Expats are allowed to sponsor up to five relatives if they have a monthly income of Dhs10,000 and they can sponsor up to six individuals if their monthly income is Dhs15,000.

In cases where the number of individuals is more than six, the director general of the authority will determine the applicant’s suitability.

Lost passport/ID holders

The UAE will allow residents who have lost their passport or ID to enter the country, according to the new visa rules. These will be required to request an entry permit through the smart services platform and visit the competent department within three working days to complete procedures.

The decision also specifies conditions for granting tourist visas, including that the sponsor or host should be a tourism-related institution, company or registered body in the accredited facility card system and provide a tourism program.

UAE entry visa/staying out of the country

The new UAE visa rules state that entry visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance and permit the holder to stay in the country as per the type of visa issued.  All visit visas allow their holders to enter the UAE once or multiple times as determined by the issuing entity but individuals will not be allowed to stay in the country for more than 180 days.

Similarly, the decision includes new regulations for issuing a visit visa to a friend or relative. These conditions apply in addition to previously announced requirements.

To obtain the visa, the visitor coming to the UAE must be a friend or relative of an Emirati citizen, regardless of their degree of kinship. Alternatively, the visitor must be a first or second-degree relative of an expat residing in the UAE, in which case the resident expat must hold a job within the first or second level.

UAE’s recent visa updates

Last month, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) updated 15 services covering visas and entry permits through its smart channels.

Read: UAE announces updates to 15 services linked to visa, entry permits

The updates, which came into effect on February 1, include a one-time visa extension for 30 days for 90-day visa holders, as well as prohibiting residency visa renewal if its validity is for more than six months.