Dubai's New Friends and Family Discount Program

Dubai’s New Friends and Family Discount Program

Dubai has launched a new initiative encouraging residents of the United Arab Emirates to invite their family and friends to the emirate. The Dubai Invite program offers eligible residents more than 3,000 dirhams worth of discounts on hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions if their nominated guests arrive in Dubai during the campaign period.

The program runs from July 20, 2026, to October 31, 2026. To participate, an adult UAE citizen or resident with a valid Emirates ID must register their arriving family member or friend in advance. The guest must live outside the UAE and arrive in Dubai with a valid tourist or visit visa.

A distinctive feature of this campaign is that the local resident, not the visitor, needs to register. After the visitor's successful verification, the inviting person receives the discount package, which can be used in participating hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

How does the Dubai Invite program work?

To participate, the official nomination form must be completed online. The application requires personal information of the invited family member or friend and their planned arrival date.

A resident can nominate any number of visitors, but only five nominations can be submitted at a time. This means that for larger families or groups of friends, nominations need to be recorded in multiple submissions.

An important limitation is that although multiple guests can be invited, one eligible participant can receive a maximum of three reward packages during the entire campaign period. Therefore, more guests arriving does not necessarily lead to additional discount packages.

Nominations can be submitted until September 30, 2026. However, visitors registered earlier can arrive in Dubai until October 31, 2026. The registration deadline and the travel deadline are not the same, so those planning to participate should submit their nominations in a timely manner.

The visitor's arrival is automatically verified

One of the most important elements of the program is that the inviting person does not need to provide separate documentation to prove their guest’s arrival. Once the nominated visitor enters Dubai, authorities will verify the arrival through authorized government systems.

Visitors can arrive by air, sea, or road. Entry through international airports outside Dubai is also acceptable, as long as it complies with the campaign rules within the designated period.

After successful verification, the inviting resident receives the details of the discount package via email. The message includes available offers, redemption conditions, and any necessary booking instructions.

Most discounts can be used until December 31, 2026, unless specified otherwise by the hotel, restaurant, or tourism service provider. When receiving the package, it is always worth reviewing the usage rules in detail.

Significant hotel discounts are available

One of the most valuable parts of the Dubai Invite program is its hotel offers. The discount package includes offers from several accommodations that usually belong to the higher price category during normal periods.

At Melia Desert Palm, visitors can receive a 45% discount on rooms, suites, and villas. Booking includes a 100 dirham per person wellness credit and a 100 dirham per stay food and beverage credit.

For ME Dubai by Meliá, participants can enjoy a 35% discount on the best available room rate. The offer may include complimentary upgrades to a higher room category, while children under 12 can stay for free.

Guests can also receive a 35% discount on all-day dining, room service, wellness treatments, and laundry services. Exact conditions may vary depending on booking dates, available rooms, and specific service rules.

Room charges may be reimbursed as hotel credits

Particularly interesting offers are provided by participating hotels at Mina Seyahi. Guests booking at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, or The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi can receive hotel credits equivalent to their room charges.

This does not mean cash refunds. The amount paid for the room can be spent on designated restaurants, dining venues, or wellness services during the guest's stay.

This can be highly advantageous, especially for those who plan to dine at the hotel or who would like to use its relaxation services. The amount available, redemption locations, and excluded services may vary by hotel.

Receive a third night after two

At some participating IHG hotels, guests can get a complimentary third night after paying for two nights. During a longer family visit or a short Dubai getaway, this could mean significant savings on overall accommodation costs.

In selected group hotels, up to a 30% discount is available in restaurants. The exact application of the free night and restaurant discount depends on the property's rules, chosen times, and available capacity.

The list of participating hotels and offers may change during the campaign period. Receiving a discount package does not necessarily guarantee that all listed services will be available at any time.

Who can participate in the program?

The Dubai Invite program is open to UAE citizens and residents who are at least 18 years old. Residents must possess a valid Emirates ID.

The invited person cannot be a resident of the UAE. They must arrive as a tourist or visitor with a valid visa or with a nationality eligible for visa on arrival.

The visitor must ensure they have the appropriate entry permit. The submission of the nomination form does not equate to automatic visa acceptance and does not replace the official entry procedure.

What does the discount package not cover?

The initiative does not cover the visitor’s airfare, visa costs, basic accommodation fees, or other travel expenses. Visitors must organize and pay for their travel, visas, transportation, and chosen accommodation themselves.

The discount package can only offer various discounts, credits, free nights, or tourism offers. Booking is usually required before their use, and the offers depend on availability.

The reward is only granted if official checks confirm that the nominated guest meets participation conditions and has arrived in Dubai between July 20 and October 31, 2026.

Residents can become ambassadors of Dubai

Dubai Invite is more than a simple discount program. The initiative relies on the residents of the emirate sharing their personal experiences of Dubai life with their family and friends.

A local resident’s personal recommendation can often have a greater impact on travel decisions than traditional advertising campaigns. Invited guests can not only discover the most famous attractions but also explore restaurants, neighborhoods, and programs with local insights that are less prominent in traditional tourist offerings.

The discount package worth more than 3,000 dirhams can provide further incentive for those already planning to visit relatives or friends living in Dubai.

For successful utilization of the program, timely registration is crucial. The nomination must be submitted by September 30, 2026, and the guest must arrive by October 31, 2026. Participants should also consider that discount availability may change, so planning bookings promptly after receiving the reward package is advisable.

Thus, Dubai Invite simultaneously supports family and friend visits, local hotels, restaurants, and tourism service providers. The program conveys the message that Dubai is not just a destination for brief vacations but a city with experiences that residents can share with their personal guests.