New Delhi: Dubai has introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa to encourage travel between India and Dubai, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Last year, 2.46 million Indians visited Dubai, marking a 25% increase from the pre-Covid-19 period. India is now the leading source market, experiencing an impressive 34% year-on-year growth, according to DET data as of February 22.
Last year, Dubai hosted 1.84 million Indian tourists, compared to 1.97 million visitors in 2019. The new visa allows eligible Indian nationals to make multiple trips to Dubai over five years, with each stay permitted for up to 90 days.
Moreover, this visa can be extended once for a similar duration, ensuring that the total stay does not exceed 180 days within a year.
To be eligible for the visa, applicants need to meet certain criteria. This includes having a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies over the past six months and having valid health insurance coverage applicable in the UAE.
This new initiative allows tourists to benefit from multiple entries and exits, offering flexibility for business activities, leisure travel, and smooth connectivity, as reported by PTI citing the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
“Dubai introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa to further bolster travel between India and Dubai, to foster sustained economic collaborations and encourage tourism and business ties,” the DET said.
“As a key market for Dubai, India will continue to play an integral role in enabling us to achieve the goals of the D33 Agenda, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a hub for business, investment and tourism,” said Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said.
“Our inbound visitation from India in 2023 was outstanding, contributing to a record-breaking performance by our tourism sector,” he added.
Habib said that this step will not just enable Indian tourists to go to Dubai but also create a platform for stronger economic collaboration.
“With exceptional flight connectivity and our ongoing commitment to the Indian market, we are confident that our upcoming initiatives will further amplify awareness about Dubai’s diverse offerings, multicultural setting, and abundance of hotels and attractions, continuing to make it the top travel choice for Indian tourists,” he said.
