Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism has launched "A Dubai Invite," a scheme that rewards UAE residents for bringing friends and family to visit the emirate — and hands verified visitors over AED 3,000 (roughly ₹68,000) worth of hotel, dining, entertainment and transport perks. It runs for guest arrivals between July 20 and October 31, 2026, and Indian travellers visiting friends or relatives in the UAE stand to gain directly.
What happened
Under the programme, any UAE resident or citizen aged 18 or above with a valid Emirates ID can nominate up to five visitors — non-UAE residents travelling on a valid tourist visa or visa on arrival — through an official online form before the guest arrives, according to details published by Bayut's MyBayut and Traveltodubai.ae. Each verified nomination unlocks a digital rewards bundle worth more than AED 3,000, spanning hotel discounts or complimentary stays, two-for-one dining deals, discounted attraction admission, and transport credits with services like Careem and Hala taxis.
Nominations must be submitted before the guest's arrival, only one nomination is accepted per visitor, and the scheme explicitly does not cover visa fees, flights, or primary hotel bookings — visitors still handle and pay for their own core travel arrangements. The visit window closes October 31, 2026, with the nomination deadline set for September 30, 2026.
Why it matters
The UAE has a huge Indian resident population, and it's common for Indian families to combine a Dubai visit with staying, at least partly, with relatives or friends who live there. This scheme effectively adds a discount layer on top of an already-planned trip — worth roughly ₹68,000 in value per person — provided your host registers you before you land.
What this means for your trip
If you're planning to visit family or friends in Dubai before October 31, 2026, ask your host to submit your nomination through the official Dubai Invite form before you travel — the rewards aren't retroactive. Keep your tourist visa or visa-on-arrival documentation in order regardless, since the scheme doesn't replace or simplify entry requirements. Check Dubai guide for general trip-planning basics alongside this.
Verified nominations unlock rewards "over AED 3,000" across hospitality, entertainment, dining and transport — Bayut's MyBayut, July 24, 2026.
The bottom line
This is a limited-window perk, not a permanent visa or fare discount — if you have a Dubai visit on the calendar through end-October and a resident host who can nominate you, it's free money on the table. Just don't delay the registration past your arrival date.
