Tourist visas to be available soon via Visit Dubai

Starting November 1, 2026, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced two initiatives that will be implemented later in the year. Visitors will soon be able to apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry tourist visa directly through the Visit Dubai platform, and a new exclusive membership program for frequent guests, the Dubai Access Club, will also launch without specific targets announced just yet.

A dual approach designed to streamline visitor access, these measures were unveiled by the Dubai Media Office, the government’s official press bureau, which positions them within the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to make Dubai one of the top three global destinations for business and leisure travel.

The new tourist visa system is part of a collaboration between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Digital Dubai, falling under their shared digital channels initiative that unifies public services across unified platforms.

Tourist visas set for simplified application process

Visit Dubai, the emirate's official tourism promotion platform, will provide a channel for submitting applications for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas. Previously, visas could only be applied for through General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, which examined requests and issued decisions.

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai will continue to assess and approve all visa applications under the new channel; Visit Dubai is merely an application submission portal, not a new governing authority. According to Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, this new option represents « an important step » forward.

Tariffs, eligibility criteria and exact e-visa durations have not yet been published. As of November 2, 2026, the visa section on the Visit Dubai website simply states « apply for your tourist visa online », with no further details. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai official homepage continues listing its own tourist visa options for singles and multiples entries, with no mention of the new visitdubai.com portal.

Freelancers themselves also remain an unconfirmed addition. Our June 2026 article on e-visa processes for Dubai mentions a submission through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai along with a local sponsor, with processing times announced as 48 business hours.

Dubai Access Club - exclusive benefits for frequent visitors

The Dubai Access Club is designed as the world's first city-led membership program exclusively for invited visitors. It targets guests who travel to Dubai frequently and provides access to a series of benefits, premium services, and unique experiences. According to the official authorities, more details about admission criteria, services, and fees are expected in November 2026.

Visit Dubai has shared an official overview, stating that it is an invitation-based program for regular guests, offering premium advantages and services. The scope remains unclear regarding specific entry criteria, advantages, or potential fees. No official sources confirm that membership grants access to a specific visa.