UAE 2025 Visit Visa Updates: New Categories and Income-Based Sponsorship Rules Explained

Overview of the UAE’s new visa categories

The UAE’s new visit visas are designed to serve specific sectors and purposes, moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all short-term entry system. The four categories are:

• AI specialist visa, designed for professionals in AI and related technologies. Issued for single or multiple entries, with sponsorship required from a licensed technology establishment.
• Entertainment visa, a temporary entry for performers and professionals engaged in cultural or entertainment activities.
• Event visa, for attending conferences, exhibitions, festivals, and other professional or cultural gatherings. Requires sponsorship from a public or private entity, with event details provided.
• Cruise ship and leisure boat visa, a multiple-entry visa for tourists arriving via cruise ships or leisure boats, requiring an itinerary and sponsorship from a licensed operator.

These new categories mark a shift from traditional visit visas by tying entry permissions directly to sectoral priorities in technology, culture, events, and tourism.

How to apply for the UAE’s new visa categories

Applications are submitted and approved through the ICP platforms and channels (official website, service centres, or approved portals). Each visa requires sponsorship or hosting by an authorised entity, as highlighted in the table below.

• First-degree relatives (father, mother, spouse, son, daughter): AED 4,000 (US$1,089.18) per month;
• Second-degree relatives (siblings, grandparents, grandchildren): AED 8,000 (US$2,178.35) per month;
• Third-degree relatives (uncles, aunts, cousins): AED 8,000 (US$2,178.35) per month; and
• Friends (non-relatives): AED 15,000 (US$4,084.41) per month.

Sponsors must provide proof of kinship, a valid passport, and a return travel ticket when applying.

These rules are designed to enhance transparency, ensure that visitors are adequately supported during their stay, and align residency practices with the UAE’s broader economic and social objectives.

They also complement the new purpose-driven visit visa categories, establishing a financial and eligibility framework that works in tandem with sector-specific visa pathways for AI specialists, entertainment professionals, event participants, and cruise or leisure tourists.

Other key visa updates

In addition to the introduction of new visit visa categories and income-based sponsorship rules, the UAE has implemented several significant updates to its visa and residency framework. These changes aim to streamline procedures, attract specialized talent, and address humanitarian needs, reinforcing the country’s commitment to economic diversification and global competitiveness.

Business Exploration Visa

The Business Exploration Visa has been revised to include stringent financial solvency requirements. Applicants must now provide evidence of financial stability, such as bank statements, investment records, or detailed funding plans, to establish or explore business opportunities in the UAE.

Humanitarian Residence Permit

A new Humanitarian Residence Permit has been introduced, valid for one year with the possibility of renewal. This permit is designed to support individuals from countries affected by conflict or natural disasters. Notably, it includes provisions allowing widows and divorced women to obtain residence without a sponsor, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and gender inclusivity.

Amendments to existing visas

Several existing visa categories have been amended to align with current needs and regulatory standards:

• Foreign Truck Drivers’ Visa: This visa now requires sponsorship by a licensed freight or transport company. Applicants must also meet health coverage requirements and financial guarantees, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Multi-entry options: The introduction of multi-entry visas provides greater flexibility for frequent travelers, facilitating ease of movement for business and leisure purposes.
• Health coverage requirements: All visa applicants must now provide proof of health insurance coverage, aligning with the UAE’s focus on public health and safety.

Simplified visa durations and extensions

To enhance clarity and efficiency, the UAE has also standardized visa durations and extension procedures. There are now six types of permitted stays, each with specified conditions for extension. This simplification aims to reduce administrative burdens for both applicants and authorities, promoting a more streamlined immigration process.

Key implications and policy impact

The UAE’s recent visa reforms reflect a deliberate, strategic approach to immigration policy, using purpose-driven visas and updated sponsorship rules as tools to achieve broader economic, social, and cultural objectives. By introducing sector-specific visit categories for AI specialists, entertainment professionals, event participants, and cruise and leisure tourists, the country aims to attract specialized talent that can drive innovation, knowledge transfer, and the development of high-value industries.

Together, these reforms contribute directly to the UAE’s Vision 2031 objectives, supporting economic diversification, cultural engagement, and tourism growth, while positioning the country as a first-mover in sector-specific immigration policy in the Middle East.