UAE multiple-entry visit visas, including the 5-year tourist visa

Multiple-entry visas suit people who travel to the UAE repeatedly within a short period: regional business travellers, family members who visit several times a year, and people who use the UAE as a base between trips. The 5-year tourist visa goes further. It removes the need for a sponsor and, on the u.ae wording, "can be issued for all nationalities", which makes it the main long-horizon visit option for passports that do not receive a visa on arrival.

Neither option is a route to residence. If you intend to live or work in the UAE, read Live in the UAE.

The u.ae tourist page lists three requirements: "a bank balance of 4,000 USD or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the last six months; a valid health insurance policy applicable in the UAE, valid for 180 days; a ticket showing continuing or return journey." ICP offers the service through two cards, one for an individual and one for a family group. GDRFA Dubai's card adds the stay rule: "Remain in the country continuously for no longer than (90) days; this period may be extended for a similar amount of time as long as the total number of days spent there in a year is at most (180)."

The official pages do not state a minimum income, an age limit or a nationality exclusion for this visa. They also do not say how "a year" is counted; whether it runs from first entry or by calendar year is not stated, so plan against the stricter reading.

GDRFA Dubai publishes a full breakdown for the 5-year visa: application fee AED 100; issuance fee AED 500; guarantee amount AED 3,000; warranty service fee AED 21; collection and return AED 20; Knowledge Dirham AED 10; Innovation Dirham AED 10; service fee AED 52.5; total AED 3,713.5. The guarantee is the largest part and is a deposit rather than a charge. For multiple-entry visit permits, the ICP card lists AED 200 per month plus AED 100 application and AED 100 smart-service fees and a AED 2,000 guarantee. GDRFA Dubai's multiple-entry relative or friend card lists AED 300, 500 or 700 plus VAT with a AED 2,000 guarantee.

1. Prepare six months of bank statements showing the USD 4,000 balance throughout the period.
2. Buy insurance valid in the UAE for 180 days.
3. Apply through ICP smart services (individual or family-group card) or GDRFA Dubai.
4. Pay the fees and lodge the guarantee.
5. Travel as often as you like within five years, keeping each stay to 90 days and the year to 180 days.
6. Extend inside the UAE once per visit if needed, before the 90 days run out.

Send us your nationality, how many trips you expect in a year and whether anyone in the UAE can sponsor you. We will tell you which of the two multiple-entry routes the official pages support for your pattern of travel.