Guests who return to the Emirates several times a year now have a cleaner way to do it. Khaleej Times detailed the fees, documents and rules of the UAE's five-year, multiple-entry tourist visa on 22 July 2026, a format that suits the private traveller far better than a single-use tourist permit. For anyone treating Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a recurring destination rather than a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the difference is felt at every arrival.
What the visa actually gives you
The visa runs for five years and allows an unlimited number of entries, so a single approval covers years of travel instead of one journey. Each stay can last up to 90 days, with the option to extend by another 90, while the total time inside the country must not exceed 180 days across the year.
It is fully self-sponsored, which means no UAE-based host, employer or agency has to vouch for you. That independence matters when your plans change at short notice and you would rather not build a trip around someone else's invitation or paperwork.
Requirements and how to apply
The visa is open to all nationalities, and minors under 18 can be added to a family application. You will need a passport valid for at least six months, an onward or return ticket, valid UAE health insurance, a passport photo, and proof of a bank balance of around 4,000 US dollars over the previous six months.
Applications go through the GDRFA Dubai and ICP websites and apps, as well as customer happiness and Amer service centres. The fee is roughly 3,713.50 dirhams via GDRFA Dubai and about 3,775 dirhams via ICP, and approval is usually issued within 48 hours once documents are in order.
Why it matters for a private trip
For a traveller who visits privately rather than in a group, the value is flexibility. A five-year window turns the Emirates into a place you can return to on impulse, for a long winter stay, a spring escape or a spontaneous weekend, without restarting the visa process each time.
It also smooths premium logistics. With entry secured in advance, our team can focus on the part that defines the trip: a private driver-guide, a tailored route across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and an itinerary shaped around you rather than a fixed schedule.
If the Emirates is a place you return to, the five-year multiple-entry visa removes the repeat paperwork and lets each private trip begin the moment you land.
