UAE introduces five-year multi-entry tourist visa for Indian nationals

In a significant move designed to boost inbound tourism from India, UAE authorities have introduced a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa for Indian nationals.

India, which consistently ranks as Dubai’s most important tourism source market, accounted for 14% (2.46 million) of the record 17.15 million international arrivals to the emirate in 2023, the largest proportion of any country worldwide.

The new visa initiative enables Indian travellers to make multiple entries to Dubai over five years, with each stay permitted up to 90 days, extendable for a similar period. The total stay, however, cannot exceed 180 days within a given year.

The visa process has also been simplified, with UAE authorities confirming all applications will be processed within two to five working days. Applicants need to demonstrate financial stability with a bank balance of $4,000 or equivalent in foreign currencies and must also have valid health insurance coverage in the UAE.

The visa initiative represents a significant deepening of bilateral ties between the UAE and India. Bilateral trade between the two countries surged to US$84.5 billion in 2023, making the UAE India's third-largest trading partner. The partners aim to boost the value of non-oil trade to $100 billion by 2030.

In recent years, the relationship has extended beyond trade, with significant bilateral investments flowing between the two countries.

The UAE's sovereign wealth fund and private companies invested more than $34 billion in India’s economy between 2018 and 2022, with target sectors ranging from banking to manufacturing.

Indian companies have also made substantial investments in the UAE, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the total value estimated at up to $85 billion.