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On 1 November 2026, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced two new tourism initiatives that affect how visitors get a Dubai tourist visa: the invitation-only Dubai Access Club, and a new option to apply for tourist visas through Visit Dubai, the city's official tourism website. The Dubai Government Media Office says both will be implemented during November 2026 and were developed by GDRFA Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Digital Dubai. This guide sets out what has been officially confirmed, what the standard GDRFA Dubai fees are, and what is still to be announced.
What changed in short
| Change | What is officially confirmed |
|---|---|
| Dubai Access Club | An invitation-only, five-year membership for repeat visitors, with a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. Invitations come only through partner nominations. |
| Visit Dubai visa applications | Visitors will be able to apply for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas on Visit Dubai, with more visa categories planned. |
| Who decides the visa | GDRFA Dubai still assesses every application and issues the visa. |
Dubai Access Club: how it works
According to the Dubai Government Media Office announcement of 5 November 2026, the Dubai Access Club is a five-year membership for repeat visitors that comes with a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa and a set of benefits across the city.
- By invitation only. You cannot simply sign up. Invitations go to eligible travellers through select loyalty programmes and multinational companies linked to the launch partners, which include Emirates, Accor and Visa, with more partners to follow.
- Visa first, then membership. Invited travellers can activate their membership only once their visa application has been approved and they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Benefits. Confirmed members get GDRFA Dubai's ALSAADA Tourist Card and a Majid Al Futtaim gift card loaded with credit. Hotel room upgrades, lounge access and early booking windows for events are announced as coming later.
- For companies. Participating multinationals can use the programme to make it easier for eligible employees to return to Dubai for meetings and corporate events.
Membership fees and the exact visa terms for club members have been reported in the press but are not yet on an official government page, so we confirm current fees with you before you apply.
How it compares with the standard 5-year tourist visa
Dubai already has a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa that anyone can apply for. GDRFA Dubai lists these conditions for it:
- A bank balance of USD 4,000 or the equivalent over the six months before applying.
- Valid UAE health insurance, a return ticket and a passport valid for at least six months.
- Stays of up to 90 days, extendable once for a similar period, with a total of no more than 180 days in any one year.
- Official fees of AED 100 application, AED 500 issuance, a refundable AED 3,000 guarantee and service charges, for a total of about AED 3,713 on the GDRFA Dubai service page.
The Access Club adds city benefits and a partner nomination route on top of a five-year visa. If you are not invited, the standard 5-year visa remains the way to get long-term multiple entry. Read our guide to the UAE 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa for the full steps.
Tourist visa applications on Visit Dubai
Under Dubai's Shared Digital Channels Initiative, tourist visa applications are being added to Visit Dubai alongside attraction tickets, events and trip planning. The official announcement says:
- Visit Dubai will offer applications for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas.
- More visa categories are planned for the future.
- GDRFA Dubai remains responsible for assessing applications and issuing visas.
- Further service details are to be announced.
This is a new place to apply, not a new visa. The rules and approval are still GDRFA Dubai's.
Official GDRFA Dubai tourist visa fees
GDRFA Dubai currently lists these government fees for tourist visas sponsored by a tourism establishment. They do not include any service or platform charges.
| Visa | 30 days | 60 days |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry tourist visa | AED 200 | AED 300 |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa | AED 300 | AED 500 |
- 5% VAT is added to these fees.
- If the visitor is already inside the UAE, GDRFA Dubai adds AED 500 plus the AED 10 Knowledge and AED 10 Innovation fees.
- GDRFA Dubai notes that the total can vary with the applicant's circumstances. Fees charged on Visit Dubai have not been officially published yet, so we confirm current fees before you pay.
- GDRFA Dubai lists an expected completion time of 48 hours for these visas.
To compare all tourist visa costs, see how much a UAE tourist visa costs in 2026.
Who these changes do not affect
- Visitors who get a visa on arrival or visa-free entry. Check first whether you need a visa to enter the UAE.
- Residents and their families. A tourist visa is not residence. It does not give an Emirates ID, and family members who will live in Dubai need a residence visa.
- Visitors already in Dubai who want more time. Extensions still follow GDRFA Dubai's rules; see how to extend a visit or tourist visa inside the UAE.
What to do now
- If you visit Dubai often through Emirates Skywards, Accor or a Visa card, watch for an invitation from that programme. You cannot request one directly from GDRFA Dubai.
- If you need a tourist visa now, the existing GDRFA Dubai channels and licensed tourism companies still work.
- If you want long-term multiple entry without an invitation, prepare the bank statement and insurance for the standard 5-year visa.
Official sources: Dubai Media Office: Dubai Access Club details (5 Nov 2026) · Dubai Media Office: new tourism initiatives (1 Nov 2026) · GDRFA Dubai: single-entry tourist visa · GDRFA Dubai: multiple-entry tourist visa · GDRFA Dubai: 5-year multi-entry tourist visa
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to join the Dubai Access Club? No. The Dubai Government Media Office says membership is by invitation only, through partner nominations from select loyalty programmes and multinational companies linked to launch partners such as Emirates, Accor and Visa.
What visa do Dubai Access Club members get? Members get a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. Membership is activated only after GDRFA Dubai approves the visa application and the eligibility criteria are met.
Can I get a Dubai tourist visa on the Visit Dubai website? Visit Dubai will offer single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visa applications, with the service being rolled out during November 2026. GDRFA Dubai still assesses each application and issues the visa.
How much is a 30-day Dubai tourist visa? GDRFA Dubai lists AED 200 for a 30-day single-entry tourist visa and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. Extra fees apply if the visitor is already inside the UAE.
Does the Dubai Access Club give residency or an Emirates ID? No. It comes with a tourist visa, not a residence visa, so it does not give an Emirates ID or the right to live in Dubai.
Need a Dubai tourist visa, a 5-year multiple-entry visa or help choosing between them? PRO VISA UAE (NOR ALAYAM Documents Clearing Services) can check your eligibility, prepare the documents and follow up with GDRFA Dubai. WhatsApp us on +971 52 505 3494 (wa.me/971525053494).