How To Get on Raya Dating App: The Ultimate Guide

If your dating life feels stagnant on mainstream platforms, it is time to elevate your experience. The Raya app is an exclusive dating app for creative people. Often called the celebrity dating app, this space is where high-profile members and a friend might connect.

But what does it take for an applicant to join? In this 2026 guide, we cover how to get on Raya and refine your application.

To save time each month, ROAST provides the feedback every user needs to stand out from other users.

What is Raya?

The Raya app is the Soho House of dating—an exclusive community for creative users. This celebrity-heavy dating app currently has a waitlist of 1.5 million people. To learn how to get on Raya, every applicant needs a friend’s referral. It takes time, but new members join each month, providing a premium dating life and application experience for every user.

How Does Raya Work?

The raya app functions differently than mainstream platforms like Tinder or Hinge. Once an applicant is finally accepted, the experience focuses on a curated community of creative professionals and the occasional celebrity. Here is how the app operates in 2026.

Membership Tiers

Raya currently offers two distinct ways to engage with the community:

• Standard Membership: This basic tier allows you to browse a limited number of profiles per day, create your musical slideshow, and message your matches. It requires a subscription fee for each month that grants you access to the exclusive network.
• Raya+: This premium tier is for those who want to maximize their dating life. It offers more daily profiles, allows you to see who has already liked you, and provides better tools for making specific connections across the globe.

Core Features

• Musical Slideshow: Forget static images. On this dating app, your profile is a slideshow of photos set to a song that represents your personality. It’s a creative way to introduce yourself to other members.
• The Map: Members can use the map to see other users nearby in real-time. Great for finding a friend in a new city, messaging people from the map usually requires a premium subscription.
• The Directory: This is a powerful search tool within the app. You can filter the community by profession, location, or interest to find specific people for networking or dating.
• Instagram Requirement: To maintain the exclusive vibe, every user must have their Instagram linked. This was a key part of your initial application and remains central to your profile.

Matches expire after 10 days if no one starts a conversation, encouraging users to value each other's time. While many wonder how to get on raya, the real value starts once you are inside and navigating these unique tools to find your next match.

How to Get on Raya

Raya is famously difficult to join, but understanding the gatekeeping process makes it manageable. Knowing how to get on raya requires more than just a standard profile; it is about social vetting and creative influence. With a selective 8% acceptance rate, the community prioritizes quality over quantity. To be considered, every applicant needs a referral from a current member. While one is required, having multiple referrals from a friend already on the app will significantly improve your chances.

The Raya Application Process

The application is a curated experience designed to vet every potential user. If you are looking to elevate your dating life, here is the full process:

1. Basic Information: You will provide your name, email, and date of birth.
2. Instagram Audit: You must link your Instagram handle. The committee performs a manual review, looking for a creative aesthetic and genuine engagement. A private or inactive profile is often a reason for a "pending" status, as the committee needs to see your digital footprint. Ensuring your online presence is perfectly curated can be a challenge, but you can get expert help to refine your dating profile and make it appealing to the committee.
3. Professional Background: You will share your location and career details. The app favors people in entertainment, tech, and the arts.
4. The Referral: You must select a contact from your phone who is already an active member to vouch for you.

How Long is the Waitlist?

In 2026, the waitlist continues to grow, and most people enter a period of "pending" status. Raya rarely sends formal rejections; instead, an applicant often remains on the waitlist indefinitely. The wait time varies—some are accepted within a month, while others wait years. If you want to speed up the experience, ensuring your Instagram is polished and active is key to catching the committee’s eye.

The Rules of Raya

To protect its exclusive atmosphere and celebrity users, the raya app enforces strict community guidelines:

1. No Screenshots: Protecting privacy is the top priority.
2. Maintain Secrecy: Members are discouraged from discussing the app in public.
3. Age Limit: You must be at least 18 years old.
4. Respectful Conduct: Hate speech or harassment is not tolerated.
5. Display of Wealth: The app discourages consistent displays of excessive wealth, focusing instead on creative talent and unique personality.

Failure to follow these rules will result in immediate removal. Once accepted to the dating app, you must agree to these terms before your profile goes live. If you want to ensure your profile is up to the task, using a service to refine your photos can help your application stand out to the committee.

Is Raya Worth it?

Deciding if the raya app is worth the investment depends on your dating life goals. In 2026, standard membership is $25 per month, while premium access costs $50 monthly or $179.99 annually. This exclusive experience is worth it to connect with high-caliber members, whether you are searching for a creative friend or a celebrity partner. Every applicant undergoes a strict application process, ensuring users encounter quality people.

To master how to get on raya, use ROAST to refine your photos. Their experts help every user save time and stand out on the dating app, making the overall experience significantly more productive.

FAQ

How hard is it to join Raya?

Most people who get accepted on Raya are influencer types, A to C-list celebrities, agents, and other creative types. You will most likely need to be in the creative industry and get at least 1 referral from a member to be considered.

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Can a normal person get on Raya?

Yes, a normal person or non-celebrity type can get accepted on Raya.

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How many followers do you need to get on Raya?

You don’t need to have thousands of Instagram followers to get on Raya. There are many people currently on the app who have less than 1,000 followers.

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How much does it cost to be on Raya?

A basic Raya membership costs $19.99 per month. If you’re looking for a more sustainable way to improve your dating experience with guaranteed results, ROAST is the perfect solution. Our experts have years of experience working with dating apps and can give you honest, detailed feedback on your profile that is guaranteed to get you ten times more matches.

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How long will it take for my Raya application to be accepted?

You can be accepted in a few days, and as long as a few months of years. Raya does not send out rejection emails or notifications. Your profile will simply continue to say “pending” even if you have not been accepted.

Raya isn't just a dating app, it's an exclusive community that's tough to get onto. But, if you follow these steps, you may have a chance to get on the app.

But don’t be discouraged even if you can’t get onto Raya, there are plenty of other dating apps out there! If you’re looking for some tips and tricks on how to boost your dating profile, why not check out ROAST? ROAST can give advice on how to improve your profile on all dating apps, including Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Plenty of Fish, and more! So get started today with our short quiz and start improving your profile now!

Conclusion

Mastering how to get on raya in 2026 requires a blend of patience and a polished digital presence. While the raya app remains one of the most exclusive spaces in the modern dating life, becoming one of its members is achievable for the right applicant. It is no longer just about being a celebrity; the platform continues to prioritize creative people who add value to the community. Whether you are seeking a new friend or a romantic connection, the entire experience begins with a high-quality application.

If your status stays pending for more than a month, try not to worry. Many successful users spent a significant amount of time on the waitlist before gaining entry. Focus on refining your Instagram and see if a current user within your network can offer a referral. This remains the most effective way for any dating app hopeful to stand out. Ultimately, the app is about quality over quantity. To ensure your application truly reflects your best self and maximizes your chances, consider a professional profile review. Take your time, be authentic, and you may soon find yourself part of this unique circle.