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The UAE 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa is made for people who visit the UAE often. It lets an approved traveller enter many times during a five-year visa period. It does not allow five years of continuous stay.
The visa is self-sponsored. You do not need a UAE host or employer for this tourist route. You still need the required passport, bank proof, health insurance, travel ticket, and other papers listed by the service you use.
Quick answer: The visa is valid for five years. A stay can be up to 90 days. The UAE may approve a similar extension, but the total stay must not go above 180 days in the relevant year. Current rules also require proof of at least USD 4,000 or the same value in another currency during the six months before you apply.
What Is the UAE 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa?
The UAE 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa is a long-term tourist visa for repeat UAE trips. GDRFA Dubai says it is valid for five years from the issue date. It does not need a guarantor or host inside the UAE.
This visa is for tourism and short visits. It is not a residence visa. It also does not give you the right to work in the UAE.
The official GDRFA service is available on the GDRFA 5-year tourist visa page.
UAE 5-Year Tourist Visa: Quick Facts
| Rule | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Visa validity | 5 years. |
| Entries | Multiple entries. |
| Sponsor | No UAE host or guarantor is needed. |
| Initial stay | Up to 90 days. |
| Extension | A similar period may be approved. |
| Maximum stay | Up to 180 days in the relevant year when the extension is approved. |
| Bank proof | USD 4,000 or the same value in another currency during the previous 6 months. |
| Passport | At least 6 months of validity. |
| Insurance | Valid UAE health insurance is required. |
| First entry | ICP says the first entry must be made within 60 days of issue. |
Who Can Apply?
The UAE Government says the five-year tourist visa can be issued to people of all nationalities. That does not mean every request is approved. Each person must still meet the visa rules.
The visa can suit frequent tourists and people who visit family often. It can also suit property owners and business visitors. It is usually less useful for someone who plans only one short holiday.
Do not use this visa for a job. If you plan to work or live in the UAE, use the correct work or residence route.
UAE 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa Requirements
The UAE 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa needs more proof than a simple short-stay tourist visa. The main rules are easy to check before you start.
Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Check the expiry date before you upload the passport copy. Make sure your name and passport number are clear.
USD 4,000 Bank Proof
You need a bank statement for the six months before the application. It must show at least USD 4,000, or the same value in another currency, during that period.
Use a clear bank statement. The name on the bank record should match your travel documents. Do not submit only one month when the service asks for six months.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is required. ICP currently says the insurance for this service should be issued within the UAE and should be valid for 180 days.
Check the policy dates before you upload it. Keep a copy of the policy after payment.
Return or Onward Ticket
You need a return ticket or a ticket that shows you will continue your trip outside the UAE. Keep the booking easy to read.
Proof of Stay
There is a small difference between the two official service pages. GDRFA Dubai does not list a hotel or stay document in its short requirement list. ICP does list proof of residence during the stay.
Because of that, follow the paper list shown by the service you actually use. Do not copy a checklist from a different route.
Extra ID for Some Passports
The current ICP individual service asks some applicants for an extra ID. This applies to Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq. Check the live service if your passport is from one of these countries.
Documents to Prepare
Keep the file simple. Prepare the passport, photo, bank statement, insurance, and return or onward ticket first. Add proof of stay if your selected service asks for it.
Some nationalities may need an extra national ID. Family applications can also have extra papers. Use the exact list shown for your own case.
How the 90-Day and 180-Day Stay Rule Works
The five-year visa does not mean you can stay in the UAE for five years. The first stay can be up to 90 days. The UAE may approve an extension for a similar period.
If the extension is approved, the total stay can reach up to 180 days in the relevant year. The stay rules still apply even though the visa allows many entries.
How the Year Is Counted
ICP says the year is counted from the date of your first entry into the UAE. It is not counted from 1 January. It is also not counted from the visa issue date.
Keep the first entry date in your records. It helps you track the annual stay limit.
Unused Days Do Not Move to the Next Year
ICP says unused stay days do not carry forward to the next year. If you use fewer than the allowed days, you cannot add the unused days to the next annual period.
Do Not Treat Every Entry as a Fresh 90 Days
The visa allows repeat entry, but that does not create unlimited time in the UAE. Track all entry and exit dates. If your travel pattern is complex, use the official immigration record rather than memory.
First Entry Must Be Made Within 60 Days
ICP says the visa is valid for 60 days from issue for the first entry. You should enter the UAE during that period. If you miss it, the visa may need a new step or extension.
This 60-day rule is for the first entry. After the first entry, the visa works as a multiple-entry visa under the five-year rules.
UAE 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa Fees
The two official services show different fee lists. GDRFA Dubai currently publishes AED 3,713.50. ICP currently lists a total of AED 3,720.
A large part of both totals is the AED 3,000 security deposit. That deposit is different from the normal visa fees.
GDRFA Dubai Fee Breakdown
| GDRFA Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | AED 100. |
| Issuance fee | AED 500. |
| Security deposit | AED 3,000. |
| Warranty service fee | AED 21. |
| Deposit collection/return fee | AED 20. |
| Knowledge Dirham | AED 10. |
| Innovation Dirham | AED 10. |
| Service fee | AED 52.50. |
| Published total | AED 3,713.50. |
ICP Fee Breakdown
| ICP Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | AED 100. |
| Issuance fee | AED 500. |
| Smart service fee | AED 100. |
| Security deposit | AED 3,000. |
| Deposit fee | AED 20. |
| Current listed total | AED 3,720. |
Insurance and any private service charge are separate. Always check the live UAE service before payment because official fees can change.
Is the AED 3,000 Deposit Refundable?
The security deposit is not the same as the visa fee. ICP says a refund can be requested after cancellation or exit. The listed conditions must be met, and there must be no residence violation.
GDRFA also says the security amount can be lost if the visa holder breaks the stay rules. Follow the entry and stay limits if you want to protect the deposit.
How to Apply Online
You can apply through official UAE digital services. ICP uses its Smart Services website and app. Dubai applicants can also use the GDRFA route.
- Check that the five-year visa fits your travel plan.
- Check the passport validity.
- Prepare the six-month bank statement.
- Arrange the required UAE health insurance.
- Prepare the return or onward ticket.
- Add proof of stay if your service asks for it.
- Open the correct ICP or GDRFA service.
- Fill in the form exactly as shown in the passport.
- Upload clear files.
- Pay the official fees and deposit.
- Save the application number.
- Check the issued visa before you travel.
Before you submit, review the official ICP 5-year tourist visa service.
How Long Does Processing Take?
GDRFA currently lists about 48 hours for its service. ICP lists two days. These are service estimates, not a promise that every visa will be approved in two days.
Missing papers, unclear files, or extra checks can add time. Apply before your planned trip and leave room for a delay.
Can Families Apply?
ICP has a separate family-group service for the five-year tourist visa. Family members still need their own travel documents and must meet the service rules.
For children under 18, ICP says they should be with one or both parents under the family service. The head of the family must also enter with the family members when the family visa is used.
Can You Work on This Visa?
No. This is a tourist visa. It does not give you a UAE work permit or residence status.
You can use it for tourism, family visits, property visits, and normal business meetings. If a UAE employer hires you, the correct work and residence process must be completed before paid work starts.
UAE 5-Year Visa vs a Normal Tourist Visa
The five-year route is best for repeat travel. A 30-day or 60-day visa may be easier for one holiday.
| Point | 5-Year Visa | Normal Tourist Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Repeat trips over several years. | One trip or rare travel. |
| Entries | Multiple during the five-year validity. | Depends on the selected visa. |
| Bank proof | USD 4,000 rule applies. | Different rules apply. |
| Security deposit | AED 3,000 in the official fee structure. | Different fee structure. |
See our Dubai Visitor Visa Types guide if you want to compare shorter visa options.
GDRFA Dubai vs ICP: Which Service Should You Use?
Both GDRFA Dubai and ICP publish a five-year tourist visa service. The main rules are similar, but the fee list and document list are not identical.
Use GDRFA when your application is being handled through Dubai. Use ICP for the federal route used across the other emirates. Always follow the checklist shown by the service that will issue your visa.
This difference matters for two reasons. First, the current fee totals are different. Second, ICP lists proof of stay, while the GDRFA Dubai page does not list it in the same way.
UAE 5-Year Tourist Visa for Indian Passport Holders
Indian passport holders can apply under the same five-year tourist visa route if they meet the rules. There is no separate five-year product just for Indian citizens.
Some Indian travellers may also qualify for a separate visa-on-arrival route. This can depend on other valid visas or residence permits. That is a different entry option. Compare the two before paying for a five-year visa.
If you visit the UAE only once or twice, a shorter visa or a valid visa-on-arrival route may be easier. If you travel often, the five-year route may save repeat applications.
Who Should Consider This Visa?
This visa is a good fit for people who already expect several UAE trips. It can work well for family visits, holidays, property visits, and regular business meetings.
It is a weaker fit for one short trip. It is also not the right route for someone who plans to work or live in the UAE.
Think about how often you will travel before you pay the deposit. The visa is useful when the long validity solves a real travel need.
Common Reasons for Delay or Rejection
Many delays come from simple file problems. A passport scan may be unclear. A bank statement may cover the wrong period. A name may not match the passport.
Insurance can also cause trouble if it does not meet the service rule. A missing return ticket or missing ID document can also stop the file from moving.
Check every file before submission. GDRFA also warns that a file can be rejected if required data is not completed after it is returned for correction. Respond to any request as soon as possible.
What Happens When the Five-Year Visa Ends?
The visa does not renew by itself. When the five-year validity ends, you need a new application if you still want the same type of access.
Do not assume the old fee or document list will still apply five years later. Check the live UAE service again before you reapply.
Is the UAE 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa Worth It?
The UAE 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa can be useful for many UAE trips. It can reduce the need to apply for a new tourist visa before every trip while the five-year visa remains valid.
It may not be the best choice for one short holiday. You must pay the deposit upfront, show the six-month bank proof, arrange insurance, and track the stay rules.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors: using a bank statement that does not cover six months, falling below the required USD 4,000 proof, missing the first-entry deadline, using the wrong insurance, or assuming every entry gives a fresh 90 days.
Also check the passport number and name before you submit. Do not work on the tourist visa. Do not stay beyond the allowed period.
Overstay Fine
ICP currently lists an overstay fine of AED 50 per day after the allowed stay ends. The fine starts after any grace period that applies to that permit.
Do not use a blanket “no grace period” rule for every case. Check the current record for your own visa. GDRFA also warns that a stay-rule violation can cause the security deposit to be lost.
How to Track Your Stay Days
Keep a simple list of each arrival and exit date. Note the first entry date because it starts the annual period used for this visa.
GDRFA says a travel report can be used to check entry and exit movement. Use the official record if you are not sure how many days remain.
Final Application Check
Check five key items: passport, six-month bank statement, USD 4,000 proof, UAE health insurance, and return travel. Then check whether your service asks for proof of stay or an extra ID document.
Open every file before upload. Make sure the pages are clear and complete. Keep all payment receipts and save the issued visa.
Plan Your UAE 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
The UAE 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa is a strong option for repeat UAE travel. The visa lasts five years, but each stay must follow the current 90-day and 180-day rules.
Before you apply, compare the cost and stay rules with shorter visas. Our Dubai Visitor Visa Cost guide can help with price planning, while our Dubai Visa Validity guide explains stay dates and visa validity.
Need to compare UAE tourist visa options?
Check the visa that best matches your trip frequency and stay length before you apply.
Check Dubai Visa OptionsLast reviewed: 25 August 2026. Fees, insurance rules, stay limits, and document requirements can change.
