The United Arab Emirates (UAE) allows sponsors of family members and friends to recover a financial guarantee ranging from AED 4,000 to AED 8,000, provided they follow the official refund process. The guarantee, deposited during the visa sponsorship process, is not automatically returned once a visit ends. Sponsors must take deliberate steps to initiate a refund by submitting a formal request after either the visa has been cancelled or the beneficiary has departed the UAE.
Key Condition for Refund Eligibility
There is one critical requirement that determines whether a sponsor can recover the amount: the sponsored individual must not have committed any residency violations during their stay in the UAE. If the visitor overstayed their visa or breached any residency rules, the guarantee may not be returned. This condition applies before any refund can be processed under the UAE sponsorship scheme.
Steps to Recover the Guarantee
To begin the refund process, sponsors are advised to confirm that the sponsored person has formally exited the UAE or that their visa has been cancelled through the appropriate channels. Once either of those conditions has been met and there are no violations on record, a refund request can be submitted to the relevant UAE authority. The financial guarantee system is designed to ensure that sponsors take responsibility for the individuals they bring into the country. The refundable nature of the deposit, when conditions are met, provides some financial relief for sponsors after the sponsorship period ends.
Impact on Sponsors
Nigerians and other African nationals who frequently sponsor relatives or associates to visit the UAE should be aware of this process to avoid leaving funds unclaimed after a visit concludes. Note that a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 is required for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second- and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends, with proof of kinship according to the degree. In a related development, the UAE has announced a major expansion of its visa-on-arrival programme, making travel easier for nationals of six countries and their families.
