The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has laid out clear conditions for the Dubai 5 year tourist visa, a self-sponsored, multiple-entry tourist visa open to travelers of every nationality. Because it doesn't require a local agent, hotel, or host to sponsor entry, the Dubai 5 year multiple entry visa has become a go-to option for frequent visitors, business travelers, and family members of UAE residents who would otherwise need a fresh visa for every trip. Here's what the rules mean in practice, the eligibility criteria, the UAE 5 year multiple entry visa fees, and how to actually apply for this Dubai 5 year visa.
Unlike standard tourist visas that require a local travel agent, hotel, or airline as sponsor, the Dubai 5 year visa is self-sponsored, so you apply for and hold it independently. It suits anyone who travels to the UAE repeatedly for business, family visits, or tourism and wants to avoid reapplying every few months. GDRFA Dubai has positioned it as part of a broader push to make the UAE easier to visit long-term, alongside programmes such as the Golden Visa, and officials expect it to keep drawing repeat visitors and strengthen tourism's contribution to the economy.
While the visa itself stays valid for five years, you cannot remain in the country indefinitely on any single visit, and the entry and stay windows work differently to a standard tourist visa.
Visa holders are responsible for tracking their own days in the country. You can request an official Travel Movement (entry/exit) Report from GDRFA or ICP Smart Services at any time to check exactly how many days remain in your current one-year period.
Meeting the GDRFA's eligibility criteria is straightforward if you gather these documents ahead of time.
These are the mandatory baseline documents. Depending on the details in your application, GDRFA Dubai may request additional documents or information before approval. If you are applying for status change from inside the UAE, an additional fee applies on top of the standard visa cost.
The UAE 5 year multiple entry visa fees are structured differently from standard tourist visas because they bundle in a refundable guarantee deposit. Here is the official cost breakdown as published by GDRFA Dubai:
| Fee Component | Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 100 | Non-refundable processing cost |
| Issuance Fee | 500 | Core cost of the five-year visa |
| Financial Guarantee / Security Deposit | 3,000 | Refundable upon exit or cancellation |
| Guarantee Warranty Service Fee | 21 | Service charge on the security deposit |
| Guarantee Collection & Return Fee | 20 | Charged for processing the refundable deposit |
| Knowledge Dirham | 10 | Standard government administrative charge |
| Innovation Dirham | 10 | Standard government administrative charge |
| General Service Fee | 52.50 | Smart Services processing charge |
| Total Official Cost | ~3,713.50 | Approximately $1,011 USD |
Of the roughly AED 3,713.50 upfront cost, AED 3,000 is a refundable guarantee — meaning the actual non-refundable spend is closer to AED 713.50. Once you exit the country permanently or transition to another visa status, you can request this deposit back. Note that applicants changing their status from inside the UAE may be charged additional fees on top of this total.
Applying is entirely digital and can be completed in a few steps through official government channels — the GDRFA Dubai Smart Services portal, the federal ICP Smart Services portal, or in person at a Customer Happiness Centre / Amer Service Centre.
Applications are typically processed within 48 hours.
Beyond the long validity already covered, the visa offers practical benefits for frequent visitors:
It is a self-sponsored, multiple-entry tourist visa valid for five years, letting travelers of any nationality enter and exit the UAE repeatedly without needing a local sponsor for each trip.
A passport valid for at least 6 months, a recent photograph, an attested 6-month bank statement showing a minimum balance equivalent to $4,000, valid health insurance, and a round-trip flight ticket.
The total official cost is approximately AED 3,713.50, which includes a refundable AED 3,000 security deposit, so the non-refundable portion is roughly AED 713.50.
Each entry allows a stay of up to 90 days, extendable by another 90 days, but total cumulative stay cannot exceed 180 days within a one-year period measured from your first entry — not the calendar year.
The visa must be used for entry within two months of its issue date. This entry window can be extended for a further two months if you haven't traveled yet.
Yes. The AED 3,000 financial security deposit can be reclaimed once you exit the UAE permanently or transition to another visa status.
Overstaying triggers fines starting at AED 50 per day and can result in forfeiture of the AED 3,000 security deposit, so tracking your cumulative days is important.
Sources: This guide draws on GDRFA Dubai's published visa conditions, as reported by Gulf News: UAE 5-year tourist visa explained: Stay up to 180 days a year.
Choosing the right visa category and keeping your stay days within the annual limit matters, since errors here can mean fines or a rejected renewal.
Our team at GRG Corporate Services supports investors, business travelers, and families with UAE visa applications alongside company formation in Dubai and company registration in UAE. Contact our advisory team for help with your application.