Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced the change of the tourist visa system in the country.
Al Maktoum shared the news on Twitter, saying the duration of the tourist visa is five years, multi-use for all nationalities.
According to the media reports, holders of the new five-year multiple-entry tourist visa may be allowed to stay for six months at a stretch. The new visa decision comes in conjunction with the country’s preparations to host Expo 2020 Dubai, one of the major global events organized by the UAE, which receives more than 21 million tourists every year.
At present, visitors from some countries can get a 30-day visa on arrival at the airport plus a 10-day grace period. This includes travelers from Britain, Ireland, Australia, China, and Hong Kong, among others. European citizens from the Schengen Area can get a 90-day visa. This includes many of the EU members, Russia, South Korea, Argentina, and Brazil.
Other nationalities require paid-for visas, costing $10 for 48-hours or $30 for 96-hours and $90 for 30 days.
