On Monday the United Arab Emirates introduced a multiple-entry visa scheme valid for five years for all nationalities. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai approved the amendments for tourist Visa.
“Today, we change the system of issuing tourist visas in the country, to make the duration of the tourist visa for five-years, multiple uses, for all nationalities. We received more than 21 million tourists annually, and we want to establish the UAE as an international tourist destination,” tweeted Sheikh Mohammed
This new tourist visa will allow travellers from Africa, some South American countries, Arab states outside the Gulf, and European states from outside the European Union and the former the Soviet Union who previously needed visas to visit UAE.
Sheikh Mohammed said that the move aimed to establish the UAE as a major global tourism destination and was part of wider plans to prepare the country for the next 50 years of development.The move is also expected to provide a boost to the tourism industry and make it easier for residents to bring relatives to the country for visits. At present, he said the UAE welcomes about 21 million visitors each year.
He added that the year 2020 will be different as it is the year in which they design the future of the Emirates.