Dubai has pulled the shutters down on registrations for its 'A Dubai Invite' programme, after more than 90,000 residents applied to take part. The scheme, launched in July, rewards locals for bringing friends and family into the emirate — effectively turning residents into tourism ambassadors with a bundle of perks worth over AED 3,000 (about €700) each.
Demand was so strong that the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and its partners ended up tripling the number of packages on offer. Even so, more than 30,000 packages have already been handed out, and new sign-ups are now off the table.
The idea is simple: a resident registers their overseas guests before they travel, and once those visitors touch down — direct from outside the UAE — the benefits land within 72 hours. They cover discounted hotel stays, restaurant deals and free or cut-price entry to headline attractions. Participating hotels include W Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Meliá Desert Palm and ME Dubai by Meliá, plus properties from IHG. Attractions on the list include Aquaventure Waterpark and IMG Worlds of Adventure, alongside a spread of restaurants.
There's still time for those already in the system. Registered guests can arrive in Dubai up to 31 October 2026, and the benefits themselves remain usable at participating venues until 31 December 2026.
Why the push? Dubai welcomed a record 19.59 million international visitors in 2025, and the city is keen to keep the momentum going. Officials flagged the visiting-friends-and-relatives segment as a key part of the tourism mix — it's repeat, high-trust traffic that hotels and attractions love. That said, 2026 hasn't been plain sailing: regional disruption from the escalating conflict involving the US and Iran has hit travel and aviation across the Gulf, making domestic advocacy schemes like this one a useful buffer.
For travellers, the takeaway is that the window has closed — but if you know a Dubai resident who registered before the deadline, an invite could still mean cheaper hotels, meals and theme-park tickets this autumn. And given the appetite for this first round, don't be surprised if a similar scheme returns.