- Affected country
- —
- Location / route
- —
- Official source
- —
- Published by source
- —
- Effective period
- Not stated
- Last verified
- — — verification pending
- Status
- Active
Summary of official information. Always check the official source and follow the guidance of the authorities. UECN does not issue risk ratings; the absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.
- Issuing authority
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs / Dubai Land Department / ICP / Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Jurisdiction
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Publication date
- November 12, 2026
- Stage
- Final rule
- Official source
- news.google.com
Dubai and UAE authorities have implemented and detailed nine key visa initiatives affecting visitors, investors, and expatriate workers, according to a report by Time Out Dubai. For tourists, Dubai unveiled the 'Dubai Access Club', an invitation-only programme granting a five-year multiple-entry visa alongside perks such as a free du SIM card and Dhs2,000 in credit for local venues. The emirate is also integrating visa applications directly into the Visit Dubai platform via the Shared Digital Channels Initiative, while the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) now processes 30- and 60-day tourist visas within 48 working hours.
Entry access has also expanded for nationals of India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa, who can obtain visas on arrival if they possess valid residence permits from Australia, Canada, EU member states, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, or the UK. For long-term stays, the Dubai Land Department abolished the Dhs750,000 property value minimum for individual sole owners seeking the two-year property visa, while setting a Dhs400,000-per-investor cap for jointly owned assets.
Golden Visa holders now receive overseas consular support from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an initiative launched alongside the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Furthermore, Golden Visa eligibility has widened to cover Waqf donors, digital influencers, gaming professionals, teachers, and nurses.
At the federal level, the ICP has introduced specialized visit visas for professionals in artificial intelligence, entertainment, events, and cruise or leisure vessels, while updating regulations for humanitarian permits, visits for friends of residents, and truck drivers. Finally, the GCC-wide unified tourist visa, known as 'GCC Grand Tours', has entered its final approval stages ahead of digital implementation across the six member states.
Sources
- Time Out Dubai · 2026-11-12
