The UAE’s five-year multiple-entry tourist visa is designed for eligible visitors who travel to the Emirates regularly and want more flexibility than applying for a new tourist visa before every trip. It can be issued without a UAE sponsor or host, but applicants must meet specific passport, financial, insurance and travel-document requirements.
What is the UAE 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa?
The visa is a long-term tourist entry permit that allows the holder to enter and leave the UAE multiple times during a five-year validity period, subject to the approved stay limits.
It is aimed at frequent visitors who want a longer-term travel option instead of arranging a new tourist visa for each visit.
The holder still has to comply with the annual limits on how long they may stay inside the UAE.
Do you need a UAE sponsor or host?
No. GDRFA Dubai currently describes this visa as a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa that can be issued without requiring a guarantor or host inside the UAE.
This is one of the main differences between this visa and some traditional visit arrangements.
Main requirements
Current official requirements include the following core items:
Additional identification documents may be requested for certain nationalities or individual circumstances.
The USD 4,000 bank balance requirement
A central requirement is evidence of a bank balance of at least USD 4,000, or its equivalent in another currency, during the six months preceding the application.
The statement should clearly cover the required period and make the balance easy to verify. Incomplete or unclear evidence can trigger additional document requests.
How long can you stay in the UAE?
Up to 90 days
The visa holder must normally stay no more than 90 days within one visa year.
Up to 180 days total
An equivalent extension may be permitted provided the total does not exceed 180 days in that year.
The visa year is calculated from the date of the holder’s first entry into the UAE. It does not automatically follow the calendar year, and unused days are not carried forward.
When must you make your first entry?
ICP currently states that the initial entry permit is valid for 60 days from issuance. The applicant must enter the UAE within that period to avoid cancellation or the need to extend the first-entry validity.
GDRFA Dubai likewise states that entry is valid within two months of issuance and can be extended for an additional two months.
Required documents
| Document | What to check |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for at least six months. |
| Personal photograph | Recent image meeting the authority’s requirements. |
| Bank statement | Shows the required USD 4,000 balance or equivalent over the previous six months. |
| Health insurance | Must be valid for use in the UAE; ICP currently specifies UAE-issued insurance with 180-day validity for this service. |
| Travel ticket | Return or onward ticket showing departure from the UAE. |
| Accommodation | Proof of residence during the stay when requested. |
How to apply for the UAE 5-year tourist visa
Choose the correct official channel
Use ICP Smart Services or the relevant GDRFA Dubai channel for the application.
Complete the application
Enter the required personal, passport and travel information carefully.
Upload the supporting documents
Attach the passport, photo, bank statement, insurance, ticket and any other requested evidence.
Review the information
Check names, passport details, dates and financial documents before submission.
Pay the applicable charges
The authority’s system will show the service fees and financial guarantee.
Submit and wait for processing
If approved, the visa is issued electronically through the relevant authority.
ICP or GDRFA Dubai: which channel should you use?
ICP Smart Services
Federal digital service available through ICP Smart Services and the ICP Smart App.
GDRFA Dubai
Dubai immigration service available through digital channels and relevant customer-service centres.
How much does the visa cost?
ICP currently publishes the following core charges for the individual five-year multiple-entry tourist visa:
| ICP charge | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | AED 100 |
| Five-year visa issuance fee | AED 500 |
| Smart services fee | AED 100 |
| Financial guarantee | AED 3,000 |
| Financial guarantee deposit fee | AED 20 |
GDRFA Dubai currently publishes a total of approximately AED 3,713, while noting that the total can vary depending on the circumstances of the application.
ICP states that the guarantee may be refunded after cancellation or exit, subject to the relevant conditions and the absence of residency violations.
How long does processing take?
ICP currently lists a service completion duration of approximately 2 days once the requirements are fulfilled. GDRFA Dubai lists an expected completion time of 48 hours.
Processing can take longer when documents are incomplete or additional verification is required. Avoid non-refundable travel commitments until the visa is actually issued.
What happens if you overstay?
ICP currently publishes an overstay fine of AED 50 per day after the permitted stay or entry permit expires or is cancelled, starting from the day after the applicable grace period.
Keep accurate records of every entry and exit, especially if you make several trips in the same visa year.
Does the visa allow you to work in the UAE?
No. This is a tourist visa, not a work permit or employment residence visa.
If the holder obtains a UAE job, the appropriate employment and residence procedures must be completed separately before work begins.
Common mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions
Is the UAE 5-year tourist visa a multiple-entry visa?
Yes. It is designed for repeated entry during its five-year validity, subject to the applicable stay limits.
Do I need a UAE sponsor?
No. GDRFA Dubai currently states that the visa can be issued without a guarantor or host inside the UAE.
How much money must I show in my bank account?
The current requirement is evidence of at least USD 4,000, or the equivalent, during the six months before the application.
How many days can I stay?
The standard annual stay is up to 90 days, with extension possible up to a total of 180 days in that visa year.
How long does approval take?
Official service pages currently publish targets of around two days / 48 hours after requirements are fulfilled, although actual processing can vary.
Can I work using this tourist visa?
No. Employment requires separate work and residence authorisation.
Can I apply online?
Yes. The service is available through official ICP and GDRFA Dubai digital channels.
