UAE visa rules changed; things won't be the same anymore

DUBAI: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has set new rules for expatriates sponsoring visitors to the UAE. The ICP announced the updated visit visa regulations on Monday. Under the new rules, UAE residents or expatriates must meet a fixed minimum monthly income requirement to bring relatives or friends to the country.

According to the new policy, a person must earn at least AED 4,000 per month to sponsor close family members. To sponsor relatives who are not immediate family, the minimum monthly income required is AED 8,000. For sponsoring friends, the sponsor must earn at least AED 15,000 per month.

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, said the changes were based on studies conducted by the authority. He explained that the new rules aim to take into account the humanitarian and financial situations of people coming to the UAE for work or business. The reforms are also meant to improve living standards, boost trade and transport, support technology sectors, and strengthen the UAE’s competitiveness locally and globally. In addition, the UAE has announced new visa options for professionals in fields like engineering, AI, and entertainment, as well as residence permits for widows and divorced women without the need for a sponsor.