The 5-year multi-entry UAE tourist visa is the country's most flexible visit permit — five years of validity, unlimited entries, and up to 90 days per visit (extendable to 180). For frequent visitors with family, business interests, or property in the UAE, it eliminates the constant need for fresh visa applications.
What the 5-year multi-entry visa is
Launched in 2022 and refined since, this visa was introduced to attract repeat visitors who do not need full residence but want to come and go freely. It is issued for five years from the date of issuance, allows multiple entries, and lets the holder stay up to 90 consecutive days per visit. The 90 days can be extended once by another 90 days, reaching 180 days per visit. The annual cumulative cap is 180 days in a single calendar year.
It is a tourist visa, not a residence visa. It does not allow paid employment, does not include an Emirates ID, and does not entitle the holder to UAE health insurance schemes. But it removes the friction of repeated 30- or 60-day applications for family visits, regular business trips, or seasonal stays.
Who qualifies in 2026
- Open to all nationalities, with no specific country eligibility list.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial means — typically a USD 4,000 (AED 14,700) minimum bank balance over the previous 6 months.
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application.
- Applicants must hold valid travel insurance for the duration of each visit.
- No prior UAE overstay or absconding records.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Government fee (5-year multi-entry) | 1,150 |
| Service / typing fee | 200 – 500 |
| Insurance (annual, recommended) | 500 – 1,500 |
| Extension per visit (additional 90 days) | 650 – 1,000 |
| Express processing (where available) | + 200 |
End-to-end, the application costs around AED 1,400 to AED 1,800 excluding travel insurance.
Step-by-step process
- Prepare your passport scan, photo, and most recent 6 months of bank statements showing the USD 4,000 minimum balance.
- Apply through the ICP smart services portal, GDRFA Amer, or an accredited service provider.
- Submit your travel insurance certificate (some sponsors require coverage at submission stage).
- Pay the government and service fees.
- Receive the e-visa within 5 to 10 working days. Express channels can return it in 2 to 4 working days.
- Plan your trips — each visit can run up to 90 days, with an in-country extension to 180 if needed.
Documents required
- Passport with 6+ months of validity, with at least 2 blank pages.
- Recent passport-size photo, white background.
- Bank statements for the last 6 months showing minimum USD 4,000 average balance.
- Travel insurance covering the UAE.
- Proof of accommodation for the first visit (hotel booking or UAE host address).
- Confirmed return flight ticket for the first entry.
Who benefits most
- Frequent business travellers. Consultants, sales executives, and investors who fly into the UAE every few weeks save on per-visit visa applications.
- Visiting parents and grandparents. Families whose elderly parents do not want a full residence visa but visit two or three times a year.
- Property owners. Off-plan investors and second-home owners who do not yet qualify for a Golden Visa but want easy access to inspect or use their property.
- Conference and event attendees. Industry professionals attending recurring UAE trade shows.
- Friends and extended family. Close friends and relatives outside the immediate sponsorship circle who want to visit several times per year.
Extension rules per visit
Each visit allows up to 90 consecutive days of stay. Before the 90 days expire the visitor can apply for one extension of an additional 90 days, bringing the maximum continuous stay to 180 days. The extension fee is around AED 650 to AED 1,000. After 180 days, the visitor must exit the UAE before re-entering.
Importantly, the cumulative stay across the year cannot exceed 180 days. Three back-to-back 60-day visits would be acceptable; six 60-day visits would not.
Common mistakes
- Submitting a one-month bank statement instead of six months.
- Showing a balance dipping below USD 4,000 mid-cycle, which can cause rejection.
- Forgetting that the 90-day clock per visit is consecutive — leaving and re-entering does not reset it within the same calendar period if the cumulative cap is approached.
- Treating the visa as a residence permit. It cannot be used to take up paid employment.
- Not renewing travel insurance for subsequent visits and being asked for proof at re-entry.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in the UAE with this visa?
No. The 5-year multi-entry visa is strictly a tourist permit. Paid employment requires a separate work visa.
Can I sponsor my family on this visa?
No. The visa only covers the holder. Family members each need their own visa, although they can also apply for the 5-year version.
What happens if I exceed the 180 days per year?
An overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies, and immigration may flag the file for review. Frequent overstays can lead to the visa being cancelled.
Can I open a UAE bank account on this visa?
Most banks require a residence visa to open a personal current account. A non-resident savings account is sometimes possible but with limited functionality.
Does the bank balance need to be in a UAE bank?
No. Foreign bank statements are accepted, provided they are in English or Arabic and clearly show the account holder's name and the balance over the past 6 months.
Can I switch this visa to a residence visa later?
You cannot directly convert it. To take up residence you would need to qualify for a separate route (employment, investor, Golden, retirement) and apply afresh.
Is the 5-year visa renewable?
It can be reapplied for at the end of the 5-year term. There is no automatic renewal.
How we help
Visa Simplified handles 5-year multi-entry visa applications including the USD 4,000 financial-proof packaging that often trips up self-applicants. See our 5-year multi-entry visa service for live pricing. For shorter stays compare against our 30-day tourist visa guide.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.