Dubai’s Dh3,000 visitor rewards attract 10,000 applications in just 48 hours
Dubai’s new Dubai Invite programme has received an overwhelming response, attracting more than 10,000 applications from UAE residents within its first 48 hours. The initiative offers benefits worth more than Dh3,000 to eligible residents who invite friends or family from overseas to visit Dubai.
The strong demand has already prompted the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to consider increasing the number of reward packages available. The programme initially launched with a limited stock of benefits, but officials are now reviewing that limit following the high level of interest.
Dubai Invite forms part of DET’s City Ambassadors programme, which encourages residents to become advocates for Dubai by inviting people they know abroad to experience the city. Rather than relying only on traditional tourism marketing, the initiative taps into personal recommendations from the millions of people who already call the UAE home.
How Dubai Invite works
UAE citizens and residents aged 18 or older with a valid Emirates ID can nominate friends and relatives who live outside the country. Eligible visitors must enter Dubai between July 20 and October 31, 2026, either on a tourist visa or through a visa-on-arrival arrangement. Arrivals can be by air, road or sea.
Residents can nominate up to five visitors in a single submission, with additional guests possible through further applications. However, each visitor can only be nominated once, and each resident can receive a maximum of three reward packages during the campaign.
The process is designed to be simple. DET automatically verifies when a nominated visitor arrives in Dubai, so residents do not need to provide additional confirmation. Once the arrival has been verified, the resident unlocks the benefits, with reward details expected to be sent by email within 72 hours from August.
More than Dh3,000 in Dubai experiences
The reward is not a Dh3,000 cash payment. Instead, qualifying residents receive a collection of benefits with a combined value exceeding Dh3,000, covering hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport and lifestyle experiences.
Participating businesses include W Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Meliá Desert Palm, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Careem and Hala. Offers are also available for attractions including Aquaventure and IMG Worlds of Adventure. Most benefits can be redeemed until December 31, 2026, although individual offers may have their own conditions.
Could the programme return?
Dubai Invite is currently scheduled to run for eligible visitor arrivals until October 31, but its early popularity could open the door to similar campaigns in the future. DET has indicated that the initiative may return after the current edition, depending on its results.
More than 10,000 applications in only two days show just how quickly the concept has resonated with the UAE’s resident community. For Dubai, the initiative creates another way to turn residents into ambassadors for the city — while giving them and their visiting friends and families more reasons to explore its hotels, restaurants, attractions and experiences together.
