Family and travel
How to get an affidavit of support in Dubai for a visiting relative or friend
Here is how to get an affidavit of support in Dubai. The sponsor who lives here signs a sworn statement that they will support a named visitor during their stay: accommodation, daily costs and the return trip. First find out which format the office asking for it wants. Then the affidavit is drafted, signed before a notary or a consular officer, and sent to the visitor with the sponsor's supporting documents.
The step people get wrong is the first one. An affidavit of support is not one standard document. The authority that asks for it, often in the visitor's home country or at their consulate, decides what it must contain and who must witness it. We draft the wording for that authority, so the visitor is not stopped at the airport or the counter with the wrong paper.
01
The document itself, and the people who request it
An affidavit is a written statement that the person signing swears to be true, made before someone authorised to take the oath. An affidavit of support adds a promise: the sponsor will pay for the visitor's stay and make sure they return.
Who asks for it varies. It may be the visitor's home country immigration at departure, the consulate of the visitor's country, or an airline checking that a visitor has support at the destination. That is why the first question we ask is not "who is visiting?" but "who asked you for this document?".
Checklist
Affidavit of support Dubai requirements: what the sponsor provides
A sponsor in Dubai is normally asked to show three things: who they are, that they can afford the visit, and where the visitor will stay. The usual supporting documents are:
the sponsor's passport and Emirates ID, with a valid residence visa;
a salary certificate or employment letter, or a trade licence for a business owner;
recent bank statements;
the tenancy contract or title deed for the home where the visitor will stay;
the visitor's passport copy;
proof of relationship for a family member, such as a birth or marriage certificate.
Every authority has its own list. Check theirs before you sign, because an affidavit that refers to documents you did not attach looks incomplete.
The wording
What the affidavit must say
The wording is where our work is. A clear affidavit of support states:
Checklist
Affidavit of support Dubai
1
The sponsor Full name as in the passport, nationality, passport and Emirates ID numbers, residential address in Dubai, occupation and employer.
2
The visitor Full name as in the passport, nationality, passport number and date of birth.
3
The relationship Parent, sibling, spouse, fiancé, cousin or friend, stated plainly.
4
The visit Purpose, expected arrival and departure dates, and the address where the visitor will stay.
5
The support What the sponsor will pay for: accommodation, food, local travel, medical costs, and the return ticket.
6
The undertaking That the visitor will leave the UAE before their visa expires, and that the sponsor will be responsible if they do not.
7
The attachments A list of the supporting documents, so the affidavit and its evidence stay together.
8
The oath and signature Signed before the notary or consular officer who administers the oath.
Affidavit for a friend or a family member
Sponsoring a family member is the easier case to explain, because the relationship can be proved with a certificate. For a friend, there is no certificate, so the affidavit should say how long you have known each other and why they are visiting. Some authorities look harder at affidavits for friends. A specific, honest explanation is more convincing than a general one.
Consulate formats
Some consulates expect their own form, executed at the consulate.
The Philippine consulate in Dubai
Filipino visitors are often asked by Philippine immigration for an affidavit of support executed by the sponsor abroad. The Philippine missions in the UAE provide their own affidavit of support document, signed before a consular officer. In that case our role is to prepare the supporting documents and check the details match before the appointment.
The Indian embassy and consulate
Indian nationals may need an affidavit or a sponsorship letter attested by the Indian mission. We draft the text and tell you which step is the consulate's.
Other nationalities
Many consulates accept an affidavit signed before a UAE notary, sometimes with attestation. Ask the consulate first, then tell us what they said.
Affidavit of support alternative way in the UAE
When the consulate's own process is not available in time, or the authority only wants proof of support, there are alternatives. A notarised sponsorship letter signed before a UAE notary is one. A signed invitation letter with the same supporting documents is another, where the authority accepts it. Which alternative works depends entirely on who is asking. We will not tell you an alternative is accepted unless the authority has said so.
Affidavit of support for a tourist visa to the UAE
A tourist visa to the UAE is issued through its own channels, and the affidavit of support is usually a document the visitor carries, not part of the visa application. If the visitor's home country asks them to show one when leaving, the format is set by that country.
How to get affidavit of support in Dubai with us
We ask who requested the affidavit and what they said. We draft the affidavit in English and Arabic for a UAE notary, or prepare the details for the consulate's own form. We check that every name and number matches the passports and that the attachments list is complete. Where the affidavit is signed before a UAE notary, you sign before our in-house notary public, in person, online or on a home visit; the notary administers the oath, verifies your identity and notarises the affidavit.
Prices
Fees
| Service | Our service price |
|---|---|
| Affidavit of support | From AED 600 |
| Translation coordination (add-on) | From AED 350 |
| Courier pickup and delivery (add-on) | From AED 80 |
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
The federal fee for executing and notarising an affidavit is AED 300. Consulate fees are set by the consulate. See legal document fees for the full list.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, ask it on WhatsApp. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it.
Where can I get an affidavit of support in Dubai?
Either before a notary in Dubai, or at the consulate of the visitor's country if that consulate requires its own form. Ask the authority that requested it which one they accept.
Can I use an affidavit of support sample from the internet?
A sample shows the shape of the document, but the authority asking for it may reject a generic text. The details, the undertaking and the attachments list have to fit your case and their requirements.
Does the affidavit of support need to be notarized?
Usually yes, because an affidavit is a sworn statement and must be made before someone who can administer the oath: a notary or a consular officer.
Is an affidavit of support the same as an undertaking?
An affidavit of support usually contains an undertaking, a promise that the visitor will leave on time and that the sponsor will cover costs. Some authorities call the document an affidavit of support and undertaking for that reason.
I live in Abu Dhabi. Is the process the same?
The drafting is the same, but the notary and the consulate office may differ. See how to get an affidavit of support in Abu Dhabi.
Get your affidavit drafted
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email support@notariolawyersuae.com and tell us who asked for the affidavit. We have in-house, in person notary public services, online notary public services and home visit notary services. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7. For other family documents, see our family and travel documents page or our document drafting service.
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Sources for this page
- Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024, fee table item 12: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491/download
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the regulation of the notary profession, Article 7: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1563