Interested in Joining Raya? Enjoy Our Simple Guide (Updated 2024)

If you’re here, you’ve probably heard something about Raya–its mysterious application process, its celebrity users. Well, if you want to know more about this exclusive site, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about Raya, and give you a simple guide for how to join this most coveted of dating sites.  

What is Raya?

Raya is a private, membership-based, exclusive dating app, especially popular among people in the entertainment industry. Unlike other popular dating sites and apps (see: Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge), Raya isn’t something you can download and start using right away. In other words, getting on it is a pretty big deal. There’s a reason some folks online have taken to calling Raya members the “Tinder Illuminati.” 

It’s easy to say why you’d want to get on Raya. You’re sure to connect with some very interesting, well established, ambitious people. It’s a great place for networking and dating. But that’s why it’s so hard to get approved.  You might be able to get on it right away, but it’s more likely that you’ll be put on a waitlist. And there is a chance you won’t get approved at all.  

Here’s the thing, though: You don’t have to be a celebrity to get on Raya. You just have to make it through a comprehensive vetting process. 

Check out our full review of Raya for more information. 

Eligibility Requirements for Raya

While the Raya vetting process is highly secretive, we have some sense of what the folks over Raya evaluate when deciding whom to allow onto the platform. It boils down to: What’s your job? Who do you know? And how’s your social media presence? 

• Professional Achievements

Raya mainly accepts people who are in a “creative” field. This can mean a lot of things, but we’re talking about people who have a notable career in some form of entertainment. Former “Bachelor” contestants have been reported to be on the platform, for example. 

• Social Media Influence

When you apply to use Raya, you’re asked for your Instagram handle. It’s therefore very important that you have a significant follower count and lots of engagement with your content. 

You will also want to improve your social media presence generally, on whatever platforms you typically use. You can improve your follower count and overall influence by collaborating with other influencers, creating niche content, engaging with your audience, and working with existing brands. 

· Referrals and Recommendations

As is the case in other areas of life, referrals and recommendations can go a long way toward getting you in the door. If you know someone on Raya, ask them to refer you through the app. That said, even people with several referrals can struggle to get on the app, often spending months languishing on the waitlist that’s rumored to have more than 100,000 people on it. 

Preparing Your Application

Once you’ve got your eligibility requirements lined up, it’s time to prepare your application. We’ve got some tips for how to do that, too. 

• Crafting Your Profile

When crafting your Raya application, you’ll want to share some high quality photos. Showcase your interests and passions, too.  

• Highlighting Your Achievements

If you’ve made a mark in your career, be sure to talk about that! Raya is a site with some highly driven, ambitious, high achieving individuals. You’ll want to mention recognitions you’ve received, any key milestones, anything that makes you stand out! 

• Connecting Your Social Media

You’ll be asked to connect to your Instagram, so you’ll want to make sure your Instagram looks polished and professional.  

Submitting Your Application

Once you’ve got your ducks in a row, it’s time to actually apply. 

• Application Process

You’ll be asked to fill out all the profile details, which include: 

• Name
• Age
• Occupation
• Short bio 
• Profile photos (up to 5) 

As mentioned above, make sure the photos are high quality–and also make sure they give a real sense of your personality! Group photos and overly edited images won’t get you anywhere. Once your profile is set up, you’ll be asked to provide your Instagram handle. 

Once you submit, the Raya team – a global committee of anonymous reviewers! – will review the application. The review can take days, weeks, or longer. You won’t receive an outright rejection; if you’re not accepted, you’ll just sit on the waitlist. 

• Waiting for Approval

The review can take days, weeks, or longer. You won’t receive an outright rejection; if you’re not accepted, you’ll just sit on the waitlist. If you’re accepted, you’ll be notified via email. 

What to Do If You’re Not Accepted

If you’re not accepted, don’t fret–there are things you can do. 

• Reapplying

If a long time has passed since you applied, you might want to try reapplying. Be patient, though, because it can take Raya a long time to review applications. 

If many months have gone by, and you decide you want to reapply, the first thing to do is send Raya an email to revoke your original application. You can email them at contact@rayatheapp.com. 

Once they’ve revoked your original application, you can reapply. 

• Improving Your Profile

Before reapplying, you’ll want to enhance your profile with more career achievements, a more compelling bio, and better photos. Talk to Raya users about their profiles and get feedback on how to improve yours. Perhaps most importantly, you can talk to these Raya users about being referrals for you. Getting more referrals may be the push you need to get over the top. 

Your Path to Joining Raya

So, in conclusion, Raya is not an easy dating site to get access to. But don’t let that discourage you! 

To have a shot at joining Raya, craft a profile that highlights your achievements and connects to a polished, professional-looking social media presence. Use high quality photos–both on social media and in your Raya application–that showcase who you are as a person. Be authentic. And have current Raya users refer you from within the app. 

Once you’ve applied, give it some time. If months have passed with no update and you want to reapply, just ask Raya to revoke your application, and get back to the drawing board. It’s a selective site, so your effort is worth it.