Residents of Dubai Offered Dh3,000 Reward For Inviting Overseas Guests
Authorities in the emirate have rolled out a fresh promotional scheme designed to reward locals who bring overseas guests to the city. Organised by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, the newly announced «A Dubai Invite» programme provides hosts with leisure and hospitality perks valued at more than Dh3,000.
Anyone holding a valid Emirates ID who is at least 18 years old can participate. Participants are permitted to register a maximum of five incoming travellers per submission. Following the successful arrival of these guests, which is automatically cross-referenced via official border logs, the host unlocks access to a bundle of exclusive savings covering local accommodation, culinary experiences and various tourist hotspots.
To enter, locals must navigate to the Visit Dubai online portal and fill out a digital form. Required data includes the host’s personal identifiers coupled with the incoming traveller’s passport credentials and anticipated travel timeframe. Importantly, duplicates are not permitted; an individual guest can only be entered into the system a single time throughout the promotional window.
Key dates and promotional rules
The deadline to submit names is set for September 30. To activate the rewards, the nominated individuals must touch down in the UAE between July 20 and October 31, 2026. After border officials register the entry, the sponsoring local will get a digital message containing the vouchers and usage guidelines.
Distribution of these perks kicks off in August. A single resident is capped at claiming three separate reward bundles. These remain active until the end of December 2026, though specific merchants might enforce their own expiry limits or block out certain dates. Officials noted this is purely a discount scheme, meaning incoming tourists must still cover all their personal travel logistics, flight tickets and accommodation costs.
Travel document guidelines and costs
Organisers will not process travel permits as part of the promotion, but entering the country remains straightforward for many nationalities. Passport holders from upwards of 80 nations qualify for instant entry upon landing, while citizens of neighbouring GCC states require no prior paperwork. Short layover permits lasting 48 or 96 hours also remain an option.
For those needing formal clearance beforehand, a one-off entry pass is available. A 30-day permit costs Dh200, whereas a 60-day version sets applicants back Dh300. Prerequisites include medical coverage, a fresh portrait photo and a passport with a minimum of six months validity remaining. These documents are processed via certified travel agents, hospitality venues or airline partners and become void the moment the visitor exits the UAE.
Tourists looking to leave and return during their trip can secure a multiple-entry alternative. Priced at Dh300 for a month or Dh500 for two months, this tier mandates sponsorship from a registered local tourism business. It serves as an excellent choice for holidaymakers hoping to explore the wider Gulf region before heading back to the emirate. Every short-term pass incurs a 5% VAT charge and generally takes two days to authorise.
Regular visitors might opt for a five-year, multi-trip visa, which currently runs to Dh3,713.5. This total factors in both administrative costs and a Dh3,000 refundable guarantee. Such long-term passes enable overseas citizens to spend 90 days at a time inside the borders without needing a local guarantor, assuming their combined yearly presence stays under 180 days. People applying from within the UAE will face extra processing levies.
