Dubai's five-year multiple-entry visa changes the maths for regional travellers

Dubai's residency authority has formalised a five-year, self-sponsored multiple-entry tourist visa open to all nationalities. It allows unlimited entries across the five years, with stays of up to 90 days per trip that can be extended to a maximum of 180 days in any year.

Applicants show a six-month bank balance of at least US$4,000, hold valid health insurance and upload documents through the authority's smart services portal. The total cost is around AED 3,700 including a refundable bond, with approval issued digitally within days.

For companies, the value is administrative. Regional sales staff, auditors and project engineers who fly in repeatedly no longer need a fresh sponsor-based visit visa each time, and resident employees can host visiting relatives without arranging local sponsorship.

The obligation that follows is tracking. The 180-day annual ceiling is cumulative, so mobility teams need a count of days in country per traveller rather than a per-trip check.