GDRFA explains rules for UAE’s 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa for all nationalities.
Dubai: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) has outlined the eligibility criteria for the UAE’s five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, which allows travellers of all nationalities to visit the country repeatedly without requiring a sponsor or host.
The self-sponsored visa is valid for five years and enables holders to enter and leave the UAE multiple times throughout its validity. Visitors can stay for up to 90 days per visit, with the option to extend their stay by another 90 days. However, the total time spent in the UAE must not exceed 180 days in a single year.
The long-term visa is intended for tourists, frequent travellers, family visitors and business travellers who visit the UAE regularly and need greater flexibility than that offered by standard tourist visas.
Eligibility requirements
To apply for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, applicants must provide:
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- Proof of valid health insurance
- A confirmed return or onward ticket
- Bank statements for the previous six months
Applicants must also show they have maintained a minimum bank balance of $4,000, or the equivalent in another currency, during the six months preceding their application.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted through the UAE’s official digital platforms and smart apps, which are available 24/7. Applicants may also apply in person through Customer Happiness Centres and Amer Service Centres.
The process involves selecting the relevant service, completing the application form, uploading the required documents and paying the applicable fees.
Fees and stay rules
The total application fee is Dh3,713, covering visa charges, service fees and a refundable financial guarantee. The final amount may vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances and any additional requirements.
Visa holders must ensure they do not exceed the permitted stay period. Travellers can track their entry and exit records through a travel movement report to help avoid overstaying penalties.
Key features
- Open to applicants of all nationalities
- No sponsor or host required
- Valid for five years
- Multiple entries permitted throughout the visa’s validity period
- Stay for up to 90 days per visit, extendable by another 90 days
- Total stay in the UAE must not exceed 180 days in a calendar year
- Stay in the UAE for up to 90 days per visit
- Extend the stay for an additional 90 days
- Maximum permitted stay of 180 days per year
- Maintain a minimum bank balance of $4,000 during the six months before applying
The five-year multiple-entry tourist visa reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global destination by offering greater flexibility to visitors, improving the travel experience and supporting the tourism sector’s economic contribution. The initiative is expected to attract more international travellers, encourage repeat visits and drive continued growth across the travel and hospitality industries.
