UAE introduces five-year multi-entry tourist visa

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cabinet has approved the issuance of a five-year multi-entry tourist visa for all nationalities visiting the country.

The decision was made during the cabinet’s first meeting of the year chaired by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Although, the visa application fee and other details have not yet been released.

Sheikh Mohammed said the visa, which will be introduced within the next four months, aims to establish the UAE as a "major global tourism destination", according to Abu Dhabi’s newspaper The National.

At present, visitors from some countries can secure a 30-day visa on arrival at the airport plus a 10-day grace period. This includes travellers from Britain, Ireland, Australia, China and Hong Kong, among others.

Others including European citizens from the Schengen Area can secure a 90-day visa. This includes many of the EU members, Russia, South Korea and Argentina and Brazil, among others.

Other nationalities require paid-for visas, costing for example $10 for 48-hours or $30 for 96-hours and $90 for 30 days. This includes Pakistan, India and the Philippines and others. Sheikh Mohammed said, "We want 2020 to be a year of development, growth and competition with leading countries in economy, competitiveness and wellbeing." According to the estimated figures, the UAE currently welcomes about 21 million visitors each year.