The UAE has introduced a long-anticipated five-year multiple-entry tourist visa that can be obtained without the need for a local guarantor or host. Announced in Dubai on 15 July, the new visa is aimed at frequent visitors—especially business travellers, investors, event organisers and families with ties to the Emirates—who previously had to rely on repeated short-term visit visas or corporate sponsorships. According to guidance published by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), the document is valid for five years from the date of issue and allows an unlimited number of entries, provided that no single stay exceeds 90 consecutive days (extendable once to 180 days in any 12-month period). Applicants must upload a six-month bank statement showing a minimum balance of US $4,000 (or equivalent), a passport valid for at least six months, proof of health insurance and a return or onward ticket. Fees total AED 3,713.50, including a refundable AED 3,000 security deposit. Immigration lawyers say the product plugs an important gap. “Multinationals moving staff in and out of the UAE for project work often hit the ‘90-days-per-year’ ceiling on standard visit visas,” notes Farah Al-Suwaidi of Fragomen Dubai. “A renewable five-year permission cuts red tape and gives companies confidence to schedule talent on rotation without committing to full residency sponsorship.” It also supports the UAE’s push to remain competitive against other hub economies—such as Singapore and Saudi Arabia—that have rolled out liberalised visitor policies to court conferences, start-ups and digital nomads. For travellers, the most practical difference is self-sponsorship. Holders can enter through any airport or land/sea post by presenting the e-visa print-out and are free to stay in hotels, leased apartments or with relatives. The visa does not grant work rights, but on-shore employment can be obtained later by converting to a work or golden visa without leaving the country. Industry stakeholders expect strong uptake once airlines, tour operators and overseas UAE missions begin marketing the product. Travel management companies are already updating booking tools to flag the new option when employees list more than two future UAE trips. Authorities have not capped annual issuances, signalling an open-door approach that aligns with Dubai’s target of hosting 40 million visitors a year by 2031.
Source: Gulf News / GDRFA
