What Is Dubai's 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa And Its Benefits For Indians?

A five-year multiple-entry visa has been introduced by Dubai to enhance travel between India and the Gulf nation, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

According to the latest DET data on February 22, last year witnessed a 25 per cent increase in Indians visiting Dubai, making India the number one source market with a remarkable 34 per cent year-on-year growth from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era.

Benefits of Dubai's 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa

During the same period a year ago, the city received 1.84 million tourists from India, while in 2019, it welcomed 1.97 million visitors. Eligible Indian nationals can now benefit from the convenience of a five-year multiple-entry visa to Dubai, allowing each stay to extend up to 90 days.

This visa can be extended once for a similar period, ensuring that the total stay does not exceed 180 days within a year. The visa-issuance process is notably efficient, with applications being processed within two to five working days upon receiving and accepting the service request.

Applicants must meet specific requirements to qualify for the visa, including maintaining a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the last six months and having valid health insurance coverage applicable in the UAE. Through this initiative, tourists can leverage multiple entries and exits, providing operational flexibility for business engagements, leisure travel, and seamless connectivity, as stated by DET, reported by PTI.

The DET stated, "A five-year multiple-entry visa was introduced by Dubai to further bolster travel between India and Dubai, to foster sustained economic collaborations and encourage tourism and business ties." Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, mentioned, "As a key market for Dubai, India will continue to play an integral role in enabling us to achieve the goals of the D33 Agenda, further reinforcing Dubai's position as a hub for business, investment, and tourism."

He added, "Our inbound visitation from India in 2023 was outstanding, contributing to a record-breaking performance by our tourism sector." Habib emphasized that the move will not only allow Indian tourists to visit Dubai but also provide a platform for enhanced economic collaboration.

"With exceptional flight connectivity and our ongoing commitment to the Indian market, we are confident that our upcoming initiatives will further amplify awareness about Dubai's diverse offerings, multicultural setting, and abundance of hotels and attractions, continuing to make it the top travel choice for Indian tourists," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)