UAE Invite Closes after 90,000 Applications Ahead of October 31 Deadline
Registrations for A Dubai Invite have closed after the Dubai tourism programme received more than 90,000 applications. However, residents who successfully registered visitors before the final allocation was reached will continue to receive the programme’s benefits.
More than 30,000 benefit packages have already been distributed. Eligible registered visitors can still enter Dubai until October 31, 2026, while the benefits can be redeemed at participating venues through December 31, 2026.
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) launched A Dubai Invite on July 20, encouraging residents to invite friends and family from around the world to visit the emirate.
Dubai Invite Registrations Close
DET said strong demand prompted it and participating partners to increase the number of exclusive benefit packages available through the programme by more than three times.
Although new registrations are now closed, residents who registered their visitors before the final allocation was reached can still receive the associated benefits.
To qualify, registered visitors must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements, including travelling directly to Dubai from outside the UAE before October 31, 2026.
Eligible arrivals are verified through a unified process supported by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA – Dubai). Benefits for successful applicants continue to be issued within 72 hours of their guests arriving.
The benefits can then be redeemed at participating venues until December 31, 2026.
What Benefits are Included in A Dubai Invite?
A Dubai Invite provides benefits across hotels, restaurants, attractions, lifestyle experiences and transport for successful applicants and their visiting friends and relatives.
Participating hotels include W Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Melia Desert Palm and ME Dubai by Melia, along with properties from the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio in Dubai.
Attraction benefits include Aquaventure Waterpark, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Grand Hyatt Waterpark.
Participating food and beverage venues include Asia Asia, Ula, Papas, The 305 and Lock, Stock & Barrel.
Careem also offered complimentary Careem Plus membership, along with transport rebates on Hala Taxi and other services.
Dubai Invite Receives more than 90,000 Applications
Dubai is home to residents representing close to 200 nationalities, with DET highlighting their role in encouraging friends and relatives to visit the emirate.
Noor Al Geziry, AVP, Special Projects & MENA at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “The remarkable success of ‘A Dubai Invite’ demonstrates just how strongly our residents want to share Dubai with their friends and family. Residents are among our greatest advocates, and their personal experiences and recommendations provide an authentic perspective on what makes Dubai such a special place to visit.
“This shows the confidence our community places in the city, and reinforces our ambition, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to position Dubai as the best city to visit, live and work in.
“We would like to thank everyone who took part, as well as our partners across the public and private sectors whose support enabled us to increase the programme’s capacity by more than three times. This partnership has enabled the city to collectively deliver on a shared purpose, demonstrating how government and industry can work together to create meaningful experiences for residents while strengthening Dubai’s position as a city that welcomes families and loved ones.
“The strong response has come from across Dubai’s diverse resident community, reflecting the enthusiasm of people from a large number of different nationalities and backgrounds to share the city with their friends and family. It further reinforces the important role Dubai’s residents play as ambassadors for the city.”
Dubai Targets Visiting Friends and Relatives Tourism
A Dubai Invite was developed following almost a year of collaboration between public and private-sector stakeholders.
The initiative forms part of DET’s focus on the visiting friends and relatives (VFR) tourism segment and its efforts to encourage residents to promote Dubai through their personal experiences and recommendations.
It follows campaigns such as Dubai. If You Go, You Know, which similarly drew on residents’ experiences to encourage their friends and families to visit the city.
DET said it will continue working with tourism partners and Dubai’s resident community to maintain momentum across the VFR segment.