Dubai: If you are a regular Dubai visitor, you may be interested in applying for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa.

The visa is issued by the General Directorate for Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai and allows visitors to apply for the multiple-entry visa, without the need for a guarantor or sponsor in the UAE.

The visa allows visitors to stay in the country for a period of 90 days, which can be extended for a similar period of time, with a maximum of 180 days’ stay in the UAE.

According to GDRFA Dubai, this specific visa category has seen an increasing demand since it was announced in 2021, due to the flexibility and ease of movement it provides, which enhances the visitor experience and consolidates Dubai's position as a global destination for tourism and business.

Here is all you need to know about the eligibility criteria for the visa, and the steps you need to follow to apply for it.

Visa requirements

To be eligible to apply for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, you need to ensure you fulfil the following requirements:

  • Your passport or travel document should be valid for at least six months and allow entry into the UAE, as well as return to the country where you reside or where the travel document was issued from.
  • A travel ticket to leave the country.
  • Valid health insurance in the UAE.
  • Bank account statement, showing a balance of $4,000 (AED 14,690) or equivalent in other currencies over the six months before submitting the application.

On the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, you will not be able to stay in the UAE for longer than 90 days. This period may be extended for a similar amount of time, according to the GDRFA, as long as the total number of days spent in the UAE in a year is at most 180.

Documents required

  • A personal photo
  • A passport copy valid for at least six months
  • Six months bank statement
  • Health insurance
  • Round-trip ticket

How to apply for the visa

1. Visit the GDRFA service page here: https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/7fe37963-b7f8-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936 and click on ‘Start service’.

2. You will then be asked to log in using your UAE PASS, which is available for tourists as well, or by creating a GDRFA online account. To create the account, you will need to provide your full name, email address and telephone number.

3. Once you have logged in, click on ‘new application’ and select ‘New 5 years tourism entry permit’.

4. Next, select the details of your visa, like purpose of visit, and enter your passport details, current address (whether you are in the UAE or outside the country) and contact details as well as your personal details like your marital status and profession.

5. Click on ‘continue’ and upload the required documents.

6. Next, pay the service fees and submit the application.

7. You will then receive an application number which you can use to track the status of your application. The visa is processed within 48 hours and you will receive a notification from GDRFA on whether the application has been accepted or not.

If you are already in the UAE, you can also apply for the service by visiting a GDRFA customer happiness centre or an Amer service centre.

Visa fees

Here is a breakdown of the visa fees :

  • Application Fee: AED 100
  • Issuance Fee: AED 500
  • Guarantee amount: AED 3,000
  • Warranty service fee: AED 21
  • Fee for collection and return of the guarantee: AED20
  • Knowledge and innovation fee: AED 20
  • Service fee: AED 52.50

Total: AED 3,713.50

Note: According to the GDRFA, the total visa fee may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and other applicable factors.