Five-Year UAE Tourist Visa: What You Should Know

Here's what you must know about the new five-year tourist visa approved by the UAE Cabinet for all nationalities

Posted on

7 January 2020

| Last updated on 20 January 2020

Five-Year UAE Tourist Visa: What You Should Know

Good news for UAE expat family members, dependents, and tourists...

On Monday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the new five-year UAE tourist visa allowing visa-holders to stay in Dubai for a maximum of six months for each trip.

The requirements for getting all other types of UAE tourist visas will not change for the five-year tourist visa. All terms and conditions will remain the same.

In addition to the nation's growing economy, the UAE has ranked as one of the safest countries in the world with a strong 96.1% of residents felt safe enough to walk outside during the night. It is no surprise that most expats in the emirates wish to bring their family or friends members to the UAE.

Following the decision at the UAE Cabinet's first meeting of the year 2020, the Year of Preparation, Sheikh Mohammed took to his official Twitter to confirm the new tourist visa changes.

The UAE receives over 21 million tourists annually, and the announcement boosts the nation towards its goal as a global tourist destination. The move was also part of wider plans to prepare the UAE for its next 50 years of economic development.

ترأست اليوم الاجتماع الأول لمجلس دبي .. اعتمدنا تطوير خطة من خمسين هدفاً لدبي خلال الخمسة أعوام القادمة سنعلنها خلال ٦٠ يوم . خمسين هدفا في الخطة سنضمنها في اتفاقيات الأداء الخاصة بمدراء العموم . ما نعلنه سننفذه عبر فريق العمل .. أو نستبدل الفريق pic.twitter.com/67IY4byzxA

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 7, 2020

The announcement of the five-year UAE tourist visa came as fantastic news for expats. Its multi-entry access to the country will no doubt make it much easier for visitors with multiple purposes.

Rather than re-applying every few months, working expats will be able to see their children and relatives frequently for extended periods, and for medical tourists, coming and going to the UAE for treatment will be more helpful.

Previously, the tourist visa permitted visitors to enter the country for either 30 or 90 days, with most nationalities required to pay for the service.