5 Year Tourist Visa In Uae Requirements
It is not necessary to get your visa before you travel to Dubai. If you live in the United states, Canada, or the UK then getting your UAE visa on arrival is fairly easy and straightforward. Passport holders of most countries around the world can travel to Dubai without first obtaining a visa. However, what if you have already obtained a 5 year tourist visa in Dubai? In the last few years a lot of expatriates has chosen to live in the United Arab Emirates. For those who have visa’s it is important that they make sure they renew them on time or before. If you are already in the Emirates, you will need to contact your respective embassies if you do not have a residency visa.
UAE has always been a popular destination for tourists seeking to enjoy a relaxing getaway and people seeking higher education. Although tourism was always in the country’s plans, it is only within the last decade that the UAE saw a significant rise in tourist numbers. Today, months after the travel ban on US citizens was lifted, UAE continues to attract millions of visitors each year, with some opting to stay back and work here.
The UAE has begun issuing five-year multi-entry visas for tourists in a move set to encourage longer and more frequent stays in the country.
It allows visitors to enter several times over a calendar year or stay for 90 days at a stretch and extend it for another 90 days.
The scheme will be a boost for those with families based outside of the country and is also set to be a crucial tool for businesses aiming to bring employees in and out of the country for conferences and other events.
Business Extra podcast: What are the UAE’s new visa rules?
“It will help relatives travel back and forth and will also attract a lot more tourists without any connection to the UAE so there will be more footfall,” said Haider Hussain, partner at Fragomen, an immigration services firm.
“Traditionally people would be coming in for short term travel of 30 or 90 days from India, Pakistan or other countries who need visas to come to the UAE.
“Now more and more individuals who are eligible will apply for this five-year visa and will be able to travel to Dubai and the UAE as and when they wish.”
It allows tourists who are in the country the option of extending their stay for another 90 days.
“This will enhance travel into UAE and make life easier for residents and their extended family members,” he said.
“People can stay for six months at one go if they want to.”
Who is eligible for the five-year tourist visas? What is the criteria?
The five-year multi-entry tourist visa is available to citizens of all countries. To be eligible, the visitor must provide a passport with six-month validity at the time of submission, a passport size photograph, medical insurance valid for the UAE and a bank statement of the last six months with a minimum balance of $4,000 or equivalent in another currency.
“The six-month bank statement showing that the balance has never gone below $4,000 is key to even be considered,” Mr Hussain said.
“That is the main requirement that needs to be fulfilled, the other requirements are pretty standard. Applications go through scrutiny and extensive review because it is a five-year multiple entry visa.”
How do you apply?
Applications can be made online via the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security website.
Applicants who want to obtain the visa from within the country can approach accredited typing centres.