This isn't a visa scheme, and it isn't for you if you're the one flying to Dubai. "A Dubai Invite" pays the host, not the guest — a UAE resident who nominates you gets rewarded once you arrive. If you have family or friends living in the UAE, the useful move is to forward them this page today, not after you've booked.
What this actually is
A Dubai Invite is a city-ambassador programme run by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). UAE residents and citizens who nominate overseas family or friends unlock a reward package worth more than Dh3,000 — hotel stays, dining offers, attraction tickets, and lifestyle experiences — once the nominated guest's visit is verified.
It exists to turn word-of-mouth into something Dubai's tourism board can measure and reward, at a time it's actively pushing visitor numbers back up.
Who qualifies
| Side | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Resident (host) | UAE resident or citizen, aged 18+, with a valid Emirates ID |
| Visitor (you) | Not already a UAE resident; arrives on a valid tourist visa or visa on arrival |
| Travel window | Guest must arrive between 20 July and 31 October 2026 |
Each visitor can be nominated only once across the entire programme — whichever resident registers you first is the one who's eligible. If two relatives both try to nominate you, only the first submission counts.
The deadline trap
Every headline leads with "guests can arrive until 31 October." The registration deadline is not the same date — it's 30 September 2026.
How to register
This is entirely the resident's side of the process, done through DET's official online nomination form:
- Submit the visitor's details before they arrive — not after.
- Up to five visitors per submission; more can be added via separate submissions.
- Once the guest arrives, DET verifies the visit automatically through government systems (linked to GDRFA-Dubai) — no boarding passes or entry stamps to upload.
- The resident receives an email with the benefits package and redemption instructions, typically within about 72 hours of verified arrival.
What you actually get
Rewards are issued to the resident, capped at a maximum of three reward packages per resident during the whole campaign, even if more than three nominated guests show up. Confirmed participating partners so far include W Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Meliá Desert Palm, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Careem, and Hala — spanning hotel stays, ride credit, dining, and attractions.
Most rewards remain valid for use until 31 December 2026, unless the specific offer states otherwise.
What it doesn't cover
Nothing about your actual trip is handled by this programme:
- No visa help. You arrange your own tourist visa or confirm your own visa-on-arrival eligibility, exactly as normal.
- No flights or hotel booking. The reward package is a bonus for your host after you've already arranged and paid for your own trip.
- Nothing for you to fill in. The entire nomination and redemption flow sits with your UAE-based host — you don't register yourself.
FAQ
Who can register for A Dubai Invite?
UAE residents and citizens aged 18 or above with a valid Emirates ID. The visitor must not already be a UAE resident, and must arrive in Dubai on a valid tourist visa or visa on arrival.
Does this programme help with the visa or flights?
No. The programme does not arrange visas, flights, or accommodation. Guests are fully responsible for their own travel documents and bookings.
What is the actual deadline?
Registration closes 30 September 2026, even though nominated guests can arrive as late as 31 October 2026. A guest arriving in October with a nomination submitted after 30 September will not qualify.
How many rewards can one resident receive?
A maximum of three reward packages per resident during the campaign, even if more than three nominated guests arrive.