Destination 
Verified 
Updated 22 August 2026 · Sourced from GDRFA Dubai (July 2026) · Verified by Sohail AhmedThe UAE 5-year multiple entry tourist visa allows visitors of all nationalities to enter and exit the UAE multiple times over five years without a local host or sponsor. Each visit allows up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per year. The visa is applied for directly through the UAE government portals. Arabiers does not process this visa this page covers the facts so you can apply with confidence.
No local host or sponsor required. Self-sponsored application open to all passport holders who meet the eligibility criteria.
GDRFA Dubai · July 2026Up to 90 days per visit. Extendable for a further 90 days. Total stay must not exceed 180 days per year, calculated from the date of first entry.
GDRFA DubaiMinimum USD 4,000 (or equivalent) maintained across the 6 months before the application. Not a one-time snapshot the balance must be sustained throughout the period.
GDRFA DubaiUp to 48 hours from a complete application. The application must include all required documents for processing to begin.
GDRFA DubaiAED 3,000 security deposit is refundable upon visa cancellation or after the full 5-year validity. Also refunded if the application is unsuccessful.
GDRFA DubaiThe 5-year tourist visa does not permit employment in the UAE. It is for tourism, family visits and business visits only. A separate work or residence visa is required for employment.
GDRFA Dubai
Source: GDRFA Dubai official fee schedule, July 2026 · ICP portal. Fees may vary by individual circumstance.
The UAE 5-year multiple entry tourist visa is a self-sponsored visit visa that allows holders to enter and exit the UAE as many times as they choose over a five-year period, without requiring a UAE-based host, employer or sponsor.
It is issued by GDRFA Dubai or ICP as an e-visa and is valid across all seven UAE Emirates. The visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days per visit, which can be extended for a further 90 days, provided the total stay in the UAE does not exceed 180 days in a single year.
The visa was first introduced in 2021 and has seen increasing demand since, according to GDRFA. In July 2026, GDRFA published the most detailed public breakdown of requirements to date, confirming it is open to all nationalities.
Source: GDRFA Dubai official service page · ICP Smart Services
All nationalities are eligible. The visa is entirely self-sponsored, meaning no UAE-based host, employer or travel agency is required to vouch for the applicant. Eligibility is subject to the following conditions:
Source: GDRFA Dubai · Gulf News · Khaleej Times · July 2026
Prepare the following documents before starting the application on the GDRFA or ICP portal:
Documents must be uploaded in PDF or JPEG format through the GDRFA or ICP digital portal. All files must be clear and readable.
Source: GDRFA Dubai official service page · July 2026
The total fee appears large but most of it is refundable. The AED 3,000 security deposit is returned upon visa cancellation or after the 5-year validity expires. The actual non-refundable cost is the remaining amount.
| Fee component | Amount (AED) | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 100 | No |
| Issuance fee | 500 | No |
| Security deposit | 3,000 | Yes on cancellation or expiry |
| Warranty service fee | 21 | No |
| Deposit collection and return | 20 | No |
| Knowledge Dirham | 10 | No |
| Innovation Dirham | 10 | No |
| Total (GDRFA portal) | 3,713.50 | |
| Non-refundable portion | 713.50 | No |
When applying via the ICP portal the total is AED 3,775 due to slightly different service charges. The refundable AED 3,000 deposit is the same across both channels.
If the application is unsuccessful, GDRFA refunds the issuance fee, the health insurance fee and the security deposit.
Source: GDRFA Dubai official fee schedule · Khaleej Times · July 2026
Applications are submitted directly through UAE government channels. No travel agency involvement is required.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Per-visit maximum | 90 consecutive days |
| Extension | 90 additional days, applied for before the first 90 days expire |
| Annual maximum | 180 days total in any single year |
| Year calculation | From the date of first UAE entry, not the calendar year or visa issue date |
| Entries | Unlimited entries and exits during the 5-year validity |
| First entry window | Must enter the UAE within 60 days of visa issuance |
| Work rights | None. Employment requires a separate work or residence visa. |
Source: GDRFA Dubai · Khaleej Times · July 2026
Source: GDRFA Dubai · ICP · Arabiers Holidays UAE standard visa pricing
The 5-year visa makes financial sense for people who visit the UAE more than once or twice a year. The effective non-refundable cost is AED 713.50 over 5 years (assuming the AED 3,000 deposit is recovered). That is less than the cost of two standard 30-day tourist visas at AED 489 each.
The break-even point is around two visits. For anyone visiting three or more times over 5 years, the 5-year visa is the lower-cost option per trip.
The bank balance requirement (USD 4,000 sustained over 6 months) is the main qualifying hurdle. For applicants who cannot demonstrate this consistently, the standard tourist visa applied through a licensed agency remains the accessible route with no financial proof requirement.
| Visit frequency | 5-year visa cost per visit | Standard 30-day cost per visit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 visit | AED 713.50 | AED 489 |
| 2 visits | AED 356.75 | AED 489 |
| 5 visits | AED 142.70 | AED 489 |
| 10 visits | AED 71.35 | AED 489 |
Note: Assumes AED 3,000 deposit recovered. Standard visa cost is AED 489 per application (30-day single entry). Actual cost depends on visa type and individual circumstances.
Source: GDRFA Dubai · Khaleej Times · July 2026
Arabiers does not process the UAE 5-year tourist visa it is a government-direct product. But if the 5-year visa is not the right fit for your situation, Arabiers handles the full range of standard UAE tourist visas and visit visa services.
| Service | Who it is for | From |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tourist visa | Planned trips, no bank balance required | AED 489 (30-day) |
| Express tourist visa | Same-day or urgent travel, 4 to 8 hours | AED 789 (30-day) |
| In-country extension | Extend an existing visa without leaving the UAE | AED 990 |
| Airport-to-airport visa change | New tourist visa via same-day flydubai return flight | AED 1,900 |
| Multiple entry tourist visa | Standard 30 or 60-day multiple entry | AED 990 (30-day) |
AED 3,713.50 when applying via the GDRFA Dubai portal. AED 3,775 via the ICP portal. The total includes a refundable AED 3,000 security deposit returned on cancellation or after the 5-year period. The effective non-refundable cost is AED 713.50 via GDRFA. Source: GDRFA Dubai official fee schedule, July 2026.
Up to 90 consecutive days per visit. This can be extended for a further 90 days provided the total stay does not exceed 180 days in any single year. The year is calculated from the date of first UAE entry, not the calendar year or the visa issue date. Multiple entries and exits are allowed throughout the 5-year validity.
All nationalities. The visa is self-sponsored no UAE host, employer or travel agency is required. Applicants must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months, show a bank balance of at least USD 4,000 maintained over the 6 months before the application, and hold valid health insurance applicable in the UAE. Source: GDRFA Dubai, July 2026.
Passport copy valid for at least 6 months. Recent personal photograph with white background. Six months of bank statements showing a minimum USD 4,000 balance sustained throughout. Valid UAE health insurance. Confirmed return or onward travel ticket. Upload all documents in PDF or JPEG format through the GDRFA or ICP portal.
Apply directly through the UAE government portals. Online: GDRFA Dubai at gdrfad.gov.ae or ICP at icp.gov.ae. In person: GDRFA Customer Happiness Centres or Amer Service Centres. No travel agency is required or authorised to issue this visa. Processing takes up to 48 hours from a complete application.
Yes. The AED 3,000 security deposit is returned upon visa cancellation or after the full 5-year validity period ends. If the application is unsuccessful, the deposit is also refunded along with the issuance fee. Apply for cancellation and deposit refund through the GDRFA portal or a Customer Happiness Centre.
No. The 5-year tourist visa does not grant employment rights in the UAE. It covers tourism, family visits and business visits only. A separate UAE work visa or residence permit is required for employment. However, the visa can later be converted to a work or Golden Visa without requiring the holder to leave the UAE.
No. The 5-year multiple entry tourist visa is a visit visa, not a residence visa. It does not grant the right to live, work or study in the UAE. A UAE residence visa (issued for employment, investment, family sponsorship or the Golden Visa programme) is a separate category with different eligibility, fees and application processes.
Overstaying the 90-day per-visit limit or the 180-day annual cap results in overstay fines at AED 50 per day. There is no grace period for tourist visa holders. GDRFA recommends monitoring entry and exit dates through the GDRFA smart application. Resolve any overstay before applying for a new visa.
The standard UAE tourist visa applied through a licensed agency has no bank balance requirement. A 30-day single entry costs AED 489, a 60-day single entry costs AED 689. The application is submitted via WhatsApp with a passport scan and photograph only. Processing takes 2 to 3 working days. Express processing in 4 to 8 hours is available from AED 789.
This page is general information sourced from GDRFA Dubai and ICP official publications as of July 2026. It is not legal advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility criteria are set by the UAE Government and can change. Confirm current requirements at gdrfad.gov.ae or icp.gov.ae before applying. Last reviewed 22 August 2026.
