For anyone flying to Dubai regularly, consider the Five-Year Tourist Visa.
However, many regular flyers do not know it exists or think it is more complicated than it is.
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The UAE’s Five-Year Tourist Visa is exactly what it sounds like. One application is valid for five years. It lets you fly back and forth as often as you want during that period. Along with that, if you’re making routine stops in the city, you gain a practical travel document. It is one of the most practical travel documents available.
Let’s break down the details and the core facts to keep in mind.
What the visa actually offers
Issued straight by General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, known as GDRFA Dubai, the visa is open to all nationalities subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.
Each visit allows a stay of up to 90 days.
You can extend for a further 90 days if needed.
With a Five-Year Tourist Visa, time in the UAE must not exceed 180 days per calendar year.
Unused days from one visit cannot be carried over to the following year.
The visa is created for regular holidaymakers, frequent travellers, family visitors and business travellers who need more flexibility than a standard single entry tourist visa provides. Rather than applying repeatedly for short term visas, eligible travellers can secure five years of access in a single application.
What documents you will need
Before starting the application, gather the following:
A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity. A recent personal photograph. Proof of valid health insurance for your stay. A round trip ticket. Bank statements covering the previous six months, in your name and attested, showing a maintained balance of at least four thousand US dollars, equivalent to approximately Dh14,690 throughout that period.
The documents listed above are the mandatory baseline requirements. GDRFA Dubai may request additional documents depending on the specific details of your application, so it is worth having supporting paperwork ready.
How much does it cost?
The total application cost is approximately Dh3,713, according to GDRFA Dubai. This covers visa fees, service charges, and a refundable financial guarantee. The breakdown is as follows:
Application fee — Dh100. Issuance fee — Dh500. Guarantee amount — Dh3,000. Warranty service fee — Dh21. Collection and return of guarantee fee — Dh20. Knowledge Dirham — Dh10. Innovation Dirham — Dh10. Service fee — Dh52.50.
The guarantee amount of Dh3,000 is refundable. Applicants applying from inside the UAE may also face additional fees for changing their visa status. Final costs can vary depending on individual circumstances.
How to apply — step by step
The entire process is handled online through GDRFA Dubai’s official platform.
Step 1 — Create your GDRFA account. Visit gdrfad.gov.ae, click the login icon, select Individuals and then Register Now. Enter your name, email address and date of birth, verify your email using the one-time password sent to you, and create your account.
Step 2 — Select the five year tourist visa. Log in to GDRFA Smart Services and select New Application. From the drop-down menu, choose New 5 Years Tourism Entry Permit and click Apply.
Step 3 — Complete the application form. Enter your passport details, personal information, contact details and travel information. Select Tourism as the purpose of visit. If you are applying from inside the UAE, additional charges may apply for a visa status change.
Step 4 — Upload your documents. Upload your passport, photograph, health insurance proof, round trip ticket and six months of bank statements. Have additional supporting documents ready in case GDRFA requests them.
Step 5 — Pay and submit. Pay the applicable fees online using a debit or credit card. Submit your application. You will receive a reference number to track the progress of your application.
Step 6 — Receive your visa. Once approved, you will be notified by both SMS and email. A digital copy of your entry permit will be sent to your registered email address.
A few things worth knowing
The visa is valid for entry within two months of the date it is issued. The entry window can be extended for a further two months if needed.
Make sure to keep track of how many days you have spent in the UAE. You can request a travel movement report, an entry and exit record which shows your complete history of arrivals and departures. This is particularly useful for travellers who make multiple visits across the year and want to ensure they remain within the 180 day annual limit.
If you have questions specific to your application or circumstances, GDRFA Dubai can be reached on 800 5111 within the UAE or on plus 971 4 313 9999 from outside the country.
Is it worth applying?
For anyone who visits the UAE more than once a year, the answer is almost certainly yes. The administrative effort of a single application is considerably less than managing repeated short term visa applications, and the flexibility of entering and leaving on your own schedule, without relying on a sponsor makes the visa genuinely practical for a wide range of travellers.
Five years of access to one of the world’s most connected cities, for a one-time application. It is hard to argue with that.
