UAE Visit Visa 2025: New Minimum Salary Requirement to Sponsor Family and Friends

The UAE has rolled out major updates to its visit visa system, introducing four new visa categories and revising the conditions and durations of several existing permits. The changes, announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), aim to enhance transparency, support economic diversification, and attract global talent.

New Minimum Salary Requirements to Sponsor Visitors

Under the updated regulations, UAE residents must now meet a minimum monthly income threshold to sponsor visitors.

• Immediate family members: Minimum salary of AED 4,000 per month
• Second- or third-degree relatives: Minimum salary of AED 8,000 per month
• Friends: Minimum salary of AED 15,000 per month

These new income rules ensure sponsors have the financial stability to support their guests during their stay.

Visa Duration and Extension

The revised framework specifies six types of visit visa durations, making application and extension procedures clearer and faster for travelers. This includes easier pathways for both short-term and extended stays.

Four New Visa Categories

The UAE has added specialized visit visas for professionals in key growth sectors, including:

• Artificial intelligence
• Entertainment and events
• Cruise ships and leisure vessels

Additionally, a humanitarian residence permit will now be available for one year with the possibility of renewal. Foreign widows or divorced women can also obtain a one-year residence without a sponsor, subject to specific conditions.

Business Exploration & Other Updates

Entrepreneurs can now apply for a business exploration visa, requiring financial solvency, ownership of a company outside the UAE, or proven professional expertise. Foreign truck drivers can obtain single or multiple-entry visas if sponsored by a registered shipping or transport company, provided health coverage and financial guarantees are met.

According to Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the ICP, these reforms are based on extensive research and stakeholder feedback. The goal is to improve quality of life, strengthen trade and transport links, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for business, technology, and talent.

These UAE visit visa updates for 2025 create new opportunities for investors, families, and skilled professionals while streamlining the visa process for a faster and more secure experience.