Visas
UAE Five-Year Tourist Visa: Current Rules, Costs and How to Apply
Robert the Robot explains who can apply, how long visitors can stay and the documents required.
Is the five-year UAE tourist visa new?
No. The five-year multiple-entry tourist visa is an established UAE visa route rather than a newly launched option in July 2026. Current UAE and Dubai immigration guidance continues to list it for visitors of all nationalities who meet the requirements.
The visa is self-sponsored, which means an applicant does not need a UAE-based guarantor or host. It remains valid for five years and can be used for repeated visits, subject to the permitted length of stay and the conditions attached to each entry.
How long can a visitor stay?
Official UAE guidance says a visitor can stay for up to 90 days on each visit. That stay can be extended for a similar period, but total time in the country must not exceed 180 days in one year.
Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs describes the same structure: a maximum continuous stay of 90 days, extendable for another 90 days, with no more than 180 days in a year. Travellers should confirm how their entry and extension dates are counted before making long bookings.
What documents are required?
The listed requirements include a passport valid for at least six months, a recent personal photograph, valid health insurance in the UAE and a return or onward ticket.
Applicants must also show proof of funds. The UAE's official portal states that the applicant should have maintained a bank balance of USD 4,000, or the equivalent in another currency, during the six months before the application. Dubai's GDRFA service page asks for a six-month bank statement.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security also lists proof of a place of residence among the required documents. The exact documents requested can depend on the channel and the applicant's circumstances.
What does it cost in Dubai?
The GDRFA Dubai service page currently lists a total of AED 3,713.50, including application and issuance charges, service fees, VAT and a refundable AED 3,000 guarantee. The authority notes that the final amount may vary depending on information entered in the application.
Because government fees and service requirements can change, applicants should use the current total shown by the official application channel rather than relying on an older social post or third-party fee table.
How to apply
Applicants can use the official ICP smart services channels for federal applications or the GDRFA Dubai channels where applicable. The UAE government portal also directs travellers to the relevant immigration authority.
The five-year visa can suit people who make frequent family, tourism or business trips to the UAE, but approval is not automatic. Travellers should apply through an official channel, check their permitted stay after each entry and avoid overstaying.
Sources: UAE Government tourist visa guidance, GDRFA Dubai's five-year multi-entry tourist visa service and ICP smart services. This article is general information, not immigration or legal advice.