Dubai Rolls Out 5-Year Multiple Entry Visa for Indian Tourists

In February 2024, Dubai authorities introduced a 5-year multiple entry tourism visa policy for Indian citizens to further boost annual visitor arrivals from the key source market and cement cultural-economic relations.

Flexible Long Term Visa Regime

The multiple entry visa allows Indian passport holders to freely enter Dubai and stay up to 90 days at a stretch. This can be further extended by another 90 days with an outer limit of 180 days stay within one calendar year during the entire visa lifespan eliminating hassles of reapplying frequently.

Surging Interest from India

According to Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism statistics, despite pandemic blip in the interim, tourist footfalls from India stood at 2.46 million in 2023 expanding massively over normal levels.  This marks a significant increase from the 1.84 million tourists the UAE hosted in 2022.

Overtaking Pre-Pandemic Volumes

The 34% year-on-year rise in Indians visiting Dubai has surpassed even pre-COVID-19 highs of 1.97 million tourists received in 2019, confirming return of normal leisure and business travel patterns.
India continues to deliver the highest number of international visitors from a single market.

Guidelines

The visa, issued within two to five working days upon receiving and accepting the service request, allows its holder to stay in the country for 90 days, extendable once for a similar period, with a total stay not exceeding 180 days in one year.
Through this initiative, tourists can use multiple entries and exits, providing operational flexibility for business engagements, leisure travel, and seamless connectivity.

Socio-Economic Ties Set to Strengthen

Dubai authorities assess relaxation of entry norms will promote increased people-to-people exchanges cementing long term links. Easing business travel is also set to reflect in further diversification of bilateral economic partnership beyond traditional spheres.

Dubai Economic Agenda- D33

This step aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, launched just over a year ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
It aims to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, and the best city to visit, live and work in.
Dubai welcomed record number of tourists in 2023, attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors over the course of the year 2023. It represents a 19.4% YoY growth over the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022.

Category: International / World Current Affairs