Key points
- The UAE's five-year tourist visa is open to all nationalities and is self-sponsored, needing no local host or employer.
- Holders can stay up to 90 consecutive days per visit, extendable once for another 90 days, capped at 180 days per calendar year.
- Applicants must show bank statements with a minimum balance of $4,000 maintained over the six months before applying.
- The total cost is Dh 3,713, which includes fees, service charges, and a refundable financial guarantee.
The United Arab Emirates has set out the requirements for its five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, a self-sponsored option first introduced on March 21, 2021.
The visa is open to all nationalities and does not require a UAE host, employer, or travel agency to sponsor the applicant. It is aimed at tourists, business travelers, and people visiting family in the Emirates.
How long you can stay
The five-year validity does not mean five years of continuous residence. Holders may stay up to 90 consecutive days per visit, which can be extended once for an additional 90 days. Across all visits, total time in the country is capped at 180 days per calendar year. The annual clock resets on the date of the first entry.
Financial and document requirements
The application asks for proof of financial standing. Applicants must provide bank statements showing a minimum balance of $4,000 maintained across the full six-month period before applying, not a single one-time snapshot.
The supporting documents are:
- A passport valid for at least six months
- A current photograph
- Proof of UAE health insurance
- A booked return flight
- Six months of bank records
Cost and how to apply
The total cost is listed at Dh 3,713 (about US$1,011), covering the visa issuance fee, service charges, and a refundable financial guarantee. The exact amount may vary slightly depending on the applicant’s circumstances. The financial guarantee is refundable, but it is confiscated if the holder overstays, and overstay fines are collected at departure.
Applications can be submitted online through the GDRFA channels in Dubai (the gdrfad.gov.ae portal or the GDRFA mobile app) or, for other emirates, through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security at smartservices.icp.gov.ae. In-person applications are handled at Customer Happiness Centers or Amer Service Centers inside the UAE. Processing typically takes around 48 hours.
What it means for travelers
For frequent visitors, the five-year visa removes the need to reapply before each trip, while the 180-day annual cap keeps it firmly in tourist territory rather than a residence route. Anyone weighing it up should factor in the financial guarantee and the requirement to hold health insurance for the duration.
More on entry options is available on the UAE visa hub.
