UAE introduces Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa Valid for 5 Years

News updated on 22/03/2021

The government of the United Arab Emirates has launched a multiple-entry UAE tourist visa valid for 5 years, in a move to encourage foreign travelers to become repeat visitors to the country.

The announcement of the new tourist visa was made by the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, following a UAE cabinet meeting on March 21st, 2021. He also announced a new Remote Work Visa, valid for 1 year from approval, to allow “employees from all over the world to live and work remotely from the UAE even if their companies are based in another country.”

The Sheik said that the new tourist visa will be available to all foreign nationals who wish to visit the Emirates, with the hope of establishing the UAE as a ‘major global tourist destination’ and to boost tourism spending in the country.

The 5-year tourist visa for the UAE will permit foreign citizens multiple entries to the country during its validity and eliminate the need to apply for a visa before every trip to the Emirates.

It will allow a stay of up to 90 days per entry, with the option to extend the stay for an additional 90 days once inside the country. It has not yet been announced if it will be necessary to pay a fee to obtain the UAE 5-year visa.

Other Types of Tourist Visa for the UAE

At the moment, there a number of travel documents that can be obtained to visit the UAE depending on the visitor’s nationality.

Some foreign nationals, including citizens of China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, do not require a visa in advance to visit the Emirates for short stays, with the period of stay allowed depending on the traveler’s nationality.

Other foreign citizens are able to obtain a free UAE visa on arrival valid for either 30 or 90 days depending on nationality. Like the new tourist visa, the visa on arrival is a multiple entry travel document that permits multiple entries to the Emirates, although over a much shorter period of validity.

Other citizens still are required to pay a fee to obtain a visa in advance of travel for short stays in the United Arab Emirates, including citizens of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

The new tourist visa system aims to streamline UAE visa requirements for every nationality, as it is intended to be available for citizens from everywhere in the world.

Benefits of the 5-Year UAE Tourist Visa

Tourist operators in the United Arab Emirates are already optimistic that the new visa will boost tourism in the country.

Most travel experts are in agreement that the new visa is set to make it easier for UAE residents to bring family members to visit the country, something that was difficult on the previously available tourist visas.

Some have also speculated that the market for investment in tourist apartments in the UAE will open up for the first time now that foreign citizens will be able to spend more time in the country with the new visa.

Visit handyvisas.com to check visa requirements for the UAE from your country, as well as for every country in the world.