UAE introduces multi-entry tourist visas for 5 years for all nationalities

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The new tourist visa will be valid for 5 years and can be used for multiple entries and is open for all nationalities. Travellers from Africa, some South American countries, Arab states outside the Gulf, and European states from outside the European Union and the former Soviet Union previously needed visas.

The United Arab Emirates on Monday introduced a multiple-entry visa scheme valid for five years for all nationalities, with the aim of turning the Gulf state into a tourism hub.

“#UAE Cabinet chaired by @HHShkMohd approves new amendment for tourist visas in #UAE,” the government of Dubai Media Office tweeted, referring to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE prime minister and ruler of Dubai.

At present, tourists can visit the UAE with a free multiple entry visa for up to 90 days, from the date of entry.

Sheikh Mohammed said the move aimed to establish the UAE as a “major global tourism destination”.

The move comes as the total number of international tourists arriving to Dubai and Abu Dhabi rose to 15.88 million in the first nine months of last year, up from 15.26 million during the same period in 2018, according to UAE Central Bank statistics.