To get your personalized feed, register, sign in and select what interests you in your Preferences.

90-day visit visa for friends and family in the UAE – How to apply

90-day visit visa for friends and family in the UAE – How to apply - Coming Soon in UAE
2 March 2023
10 minutes to read

UAE residents planning to invite their friends or family to UAE can now apply for a 90-day single or multiple-entry visit visa through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).

This service can be accessed by residents if they have a residence visa issued in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or Umm Al Quwain.

Here are the details of application process, documents, service cost and security deposit requirements.

Where can I apply for the 90-day visit visa?

The visa application can be made through three channels:

  1. The ICP Smart Services website: smartservices.icp.gov.ae
  2. The ICP mobile app – ‘UAEICP’, which is available for Apple and Android devices.
  3. A typing centre authorised by ICP – you can find the list of approved typing centres in each Emirate here.

Required Documents

If you are planning to apply for the visa for your family member or a friend, you would need to submit the following documents:

  • Recent passport size coloured photograph of the relative or friend;
  • Proof of kinship (birth or marriage certificate) – this is required in case you are sponsoring your family member’s visit visa;
  • A copy of the relative’s or friend’s valid passport;
  • A copy of your Emirates ID;
  • Proof of residence for the sponsored. Here you may be able to provide your rental contract or details of the hotel reservation for the relative or friend;
  • Copy of the return ticket.

According to the ICP, you may be asked to provide additional documents, depending on the information entered in the application.

How much does UAE visit visa cost?

As per ICP, the final cost of the visa would depend on the application details and the sponsor must pay a security deposit. Here is an estimated cost breakdown, as per the authority:

  • Security deposit: 1 025 AED
  • Request fees: 100 AED
  • Issue fees: 300 AED
  • E-services fees: 28 AED
  • ICP fees: 22 AED
  • Smart services fee: 100 AED

Total: 1 575 AED.

How to apply for the visa online

To apply for the visit visa through the ICP Smart Services platform, you must first visit this link and follow the steps below:

  1. Log in using your UAE Pass, or through an ICP online account, if you already have one;
  2. Once you are logged in, you will be transferred to a personal dashboard on the app;
  3. Next, click on the ICP department in your Emirate, for example – Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship\Abu Dhabi or Sharjah;
  4. Then, search for the ‘Visit Visa For Friend or Relative 90 Days (Single Entry) – Issue’ in the search bar. The service will appear below;
  5. Click on ‘Start Service’;
  6. Fill in the application and upload the required documents;
  7. Next, pay the service fee using a credit or debit card.

Once you have made the payment, you will receive a confirmation from ICP that the application has been submitted. According to the ICP call centre – 600 522 222, it will take approximately two to five working days for a visit visa to be issued, once approved. You will receive an e-visa on your the email address that you have provided in the application form.

 

Article Categories

Related Articles

Where to Hear Russian Music in Dubai: From Arena Shows to Late-Night Lounges

20 May 2026
Where to hear Russian music in Dubai — a guide to the best venues for every mood, from major concerts at Coca-Cola Arena to live pub nights at Harat's Republic, lounge evenings at Myata and Chayka, and everything in between.

What Every Expat Should Know About Islamic Holidays in the UAE

19 May 2026
What expats in the UAE need to know about Islamic holidays — how Ramadan changes daily life, when the Eids fall and why the dates shift every year, and how to plan around a lunar calendar that shapes the rhythm of the entire country.

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant: How the Arab World Entered the Atomic Age

18 May 2026
Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant — the story of how the UAE built the Arab world's first nuclear power station: from the 2009 deal with South Korea to four fully operational reactors generating 25% of the country's electricity and avoiding 22 million tonnes of CO2 every year.

Why Certified Translation Matters for Visa Applications

13 May 2026
Learn why certified translation is important for visa applications and how accurate documents help avoid delays and rejections.

How to Choose Quality Nicotine Products in the UAE

13 May 2026
In the UAE, buying nicotine products is not as easy as just grabbing anything off the shelf. There is a clear structure in place for what can be sold, how it can be labelled, and who can sell it. That's a wonderful thing for consumers, but only if you know what to look for.

Doremind: The All-in-One Web Project Management Platform for Studios and Developers

08 May 2026
Managing web projects is harder than it looks. Between tracking client details, monitoring uptime, remembering domain renewal dates, and proving your past work — web studios and freelance developers are constantly juggling too many tools.