UAE unveils first multi-entry five-year tourist visas

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has unveiled the first multi-entry five-year tourist visa in order to boost the tourism industry.

The UAE cabinet, in its first meeting of the year on Monday chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the prime minister and ruler of Dubai, approved the new visa policy.

At present, tourists from some countries can visit the UAE with a free multiple entry visa for up to 90 days, from the date of entry. It is not clear if there will be a visa application fee and no other details have yet been released.

The move is expected to provide a boost to the local tourism industry and make it easier for residents to bring relatives to the country for visits.

اعتمدنا اليوم تغيير نظام التأشيرات السياحية في الدولة .. لتكون مدة تأشيرة السياحة خمسة أعوام متعددة الاستخدام .. لكافة الجنسيات .. نستقبل اكثر من ٢١ مليون سائح سنويا وهدفنا ترسيخ الدولة كوجهة سياحية عالمية رئيسية .. pic.twitter.com/C4s26JjUE5

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 6, 2020

Sheikh Mohammed said the visa, which will be introduced within four months, aims to establish the UAE as a “major global tourism destination” and is part of wider plans to prepare the country for the next 50 years of development.

“The year 2020 will be different because it is the year of preparation for the next 50, the year in which we design the future of the Emirates,” he added on Twitter.

He said UAE currently welcomes about 21 million visitors each year. He further said the visa would be available to all nationalities.

However, Dubai did not meet the target to attract 20 million visitors by 2020, despite a strong increase in Chinese, Omani and Filipino visitors.

The most recent figures showed it was on course for around 16 million, having hit 12 million in the first nine months, after recording a decline in Indian, British and Russian visitors.

The country’s ministers reviewed last year’s achievements and approved the new tourist visa in the cabinet meeting.