HI,

Is your friend holding an RP over in Abu Dhabi? If he or she does, then there is no need for a sponsor VISA from what I recall.

Also if as a foreigner not within the GCC; I thought (not too sure) that he will have to get a sponsor like the hotel or travel agent to "sponsor" his visit.May have changed; best is to check with the local government website for the link.

Hope this helped.