Dubai to allow tourist visa applications through Visit Dubai starting in November

Travelers who need a visa to visit Dubai will soon have a new way to apply.

On November 1, 2026, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced two new initiatives aimed at improving the visitor experience.

The main development involves integrating tourist visa applications into the official Visit Dubai website, which currently focuses primarily on trip planning, attractions, events, and practical travel information.

The new service is expected to launch sometime in November 2026, alongside a tourism loyalty program called Dubai Access Club.

Tourist visa applications coming to Visit Dubai

With this initiative, Dubai authorities aim to make it easier for travelers to plan their trips and complete certain administrative procedures through a single online platform.

The Visit Dubai portal will offer applications for both single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas.

Dubai currently offers several tourist visa options, including 30-day and 60-day visas, available for either single or multiple entries.

Authorities also plan to gradually add other visa categories to the platform, although they have not specified which ones.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) will remain responsible for reviewing applications and issuing visas.

Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, explained that the initiative is part of a broader effort to simplify procedures and improve access to government services through cooperation with the agency’s strategic partners. He described the ability to apply for tourist visas through Visit Dubai as “an important step towards integrating services into a single digital journey,” while maintaining the highest standards of security and efficiency.

Although the service is scheduled to launch in November, authorities have not yet announced an exact start date. Further details about how applications will be submitted and processed have also yet to be released.

A new way to apply for a Dubai tourist visa

The announcement does not mark the introduction of electronic visas in the United Arab Emirates, where several government platforms already allow travelers to complete visa-related procedures online.

Two main official systems are currently available: GDRFA Dubai’s online services, which handle applications for the emirate of Dubai, and the federal ICP Smart Services platform.

For standard tourist visas, travelers can generally apply through airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia, as well as through travel agencies or licensed tourism establishments. Certain visa categories can also be requested through dedicated government online services.

For example, eligible travelers can apply for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa through official ICP channels, provided they meet the applicable requirements.

Visit Dubai already has a visa information section outlining available visa categories and providing links to existing application procedures.

The newly announced initiative is therefore intended to integrate visa services more closely into the trip-planning process, reducing the need for travelers to navigate multiple websites and service providers.

One important question remains unanswered: authorities have not yet clarified whether travelers will be able to complete the entire application process for standard tourist visas directly through Visit Dubai, without involving a licensed intermediary.

Dubai’s visa-free entry rules remain unchanged

The integration of visa applications into Visit Dubai does not, at this stage, involve any announced changes to entry requirements for the United Arab Emirates.

Travelers from countries eligible for visa-free entry or visas on arrival will continue to benefit from the existing arrangements.

For example, French citizens can stay in the UAE for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without applying for a tourist visa in advance.

Similarly, U.S. citizens traveling on regular passports can generally obtain permission to stay for up to 30 days upon arrival, subject to the applicable entry requirements.

The new service will therefore primarily benefit travelers who must obtain a visa before departure, as well as those seeking a particular visa category suited to their travel plans.

The precise eligibility requirements for the new application service will need to be confirmed when it launches.

Dubai Access Club: An invitation-only program for repeat visitors

Alongside the changes to tourist visa applications, Dubai also announced the launch of Dubai Access Club, a tourism loyalty program designed to encourage repeat visits to the emirate.

Described by authorities as the first citywide program of its kind, Dubai Access Club will operate on an invitation-only basis.

Selected members will be able to enjoy exclusive experiences, special services, and a range of benefits during their stays.

The selection criteria, specific benefits, and membership procedures have not yet been made public.

No special visa privileges have been announced for future Dubai Access Club members.

Dubai continues to digitize travel services

Both initiatives form part of the Shared Digital Channels Initiative, approved in February 2025, which aims to bring public- and private-sector services together on shared digital platforms.

The project involves GDRFA Dubai, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, and Digital Dubai.

According to the authorities, the goal is to simplify the various stages of the travel experience, from planning a trip to arriving in the emirate, while making government services easier to access.

Integrating tourist visa applications into Visit Dubai will therefore represent another step in the modernization of the emirate’s entry procedures.

For now, travelers will have to wait for further details on how the service will operate, who will be eligible to use it, and exactly when it will become available.