Asan Tata— November 1, 2026Dubai has just made planning a trip simpler. From November 2026, tourists will be able to apply for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas through Visit Dubai, the city’s official tourism website. The same website already helps visitors plan trips. Now it will also handle the first formal step of the journey: the visa application.
The change was announced on 1 November 2026 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. It comes with a second initiative, the Dubai Access Club, an invitation-only membership programme for repeat visitors. Both measures will be put in place during November 2026.
For travellers, the key point is simple. This is a new way to apply, not a new visa. The visa, the eligibility rules, and the deciding authority have not changed. What changes is where you can start the process.
Quick Answer
From November 2026, tourists can apply for single-entry and multiple-entry Dubai tourist visas through Visit Dubai, the city’s official tourism website. GDRFA Dubai still assesses every application and issues every visa. Fees start at Dh200 for a 30-day single-entry visa, excluding VAT, with typical processing of three working days. Dubai Access Club, a separate invitation-only programme, will offer exclusive benefits to repeat visitors. Full service details are still to be announced.
What Was Announced on 1 November 2026
The announcement came from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. He unveiled two initiatives to strengthen Dubai’s tourism sector: the new visa application option on Visit Dubai, and Dubai Access Club.
Both were developed jointly by GDRFA Dubai, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and Digital Dubai. They sit under the Shared Digital Channels Initiative, a programme that brings government services together on unified digital platforms so people do not have to move between many websites and apps. Sheikh Hamdan approved that initiative in February 2025, and it now spans seven unified platforms.
The initiatives support the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to place Dubai among the world’s top three destinations for business and leisure. Both will be implemented during November 2026, so the Visit Dubai visa option should be available this month. However, further service details are still to be announced, so check the live Visit Dubai website before relying on the new channel for an urgent trip.
What Changes for Tourists
Until now, a traveller who needed a prearranged Dubai tourist visa had a few main routes. They could apply through government channels, through an authorised travel agency, or through airlines such as Emirates and flydubai. Those routes are not going away. Visit Dubai simply adds one more channel.
The practical benefit is convenience. A traveller can research a trip and apply for a visa in the same place: attractions, events, tickets, and the visa application, without switching to a separate portal.
There is one point that must be clear. Applying through Visit Dubai does not change the decision. GDRFA Dubai remains responsible for assessing applications and issuing visas. A visa applied for through Visit Dubai is still a GDRFA visa. Approval is never guaranteed by the channel you choose. Each application is assessed on its own merits, and applicants must meet the usual requirements.
Dubai Tourist Visa Types on Visit Dubai
Visit Dubai already has a dedicated visa information section. It lists the visa categories, fees, required documents, and processing times. According to that section, travellers who need a tourist visa can choose from three categories.
| Visa category | Stay options | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry tourist visa | 30 days or 60 days | One trip to Dubai, with a single entry |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa | 30 days or 60 days | Travellers who need to enter and leave more than once |
| Five-year multiple-entry visa | As listed on Visit Dubai | Frequent travellers who visit often over a longer period |
The 30-day and 60-day options apply to both single-entry and multiple-entry visas. Further categories are planned, so the list may grow. For now, use the categories shown on the live website when you apply, and read the conditions printed on the issued visa itself.
Fees and Processing Times
Cost is often the first question travellers ask. According to Visit Dubai, fees start at Dh200 for a 30-day single-entry tourist visa, excluding VAT. That is the starting figure shown on the official tourism website. Other categories cost more, and the full fee list is shown on Visit Dubai itself.
For context, GDRFA Dubai’s own published fees for the single-entry tourist visa are AED 200 for 30 days and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. Those are the government fees for the direct GDRFA service; airlines, agencies, and service centres may add service charges on top, so always confirm the total before you pay.
On timing, Visit Dubai lists processing at typically three working days for the 30-day single-entry visa. “Typically” is an important word. It means most straightforward applications are handled in that time, not that every application will be. If a file needs extra checks, or if documents are incomplete, processing can take longer.
Who Still Does Not Need a Prearranged Visa
The new Visit Dubai option only matters for travellers who need a prearranged tourist visa. Many visitors do not. According to Visit Dubai, citizens of more than 80 countries are eligible for a visa on arrival in Dubai. Those travellers get their visa at the airport, subject to meeting the usual entry conditions.
GCC nationals can enter without a visa, and GCC residents can apply for an e-visa. If you fall into one of these groups, the new channel does not change your journey. Still, check your own nationality’s current rules before travel, because visa-on-arrival lists can change.
How to Apply Through Visit Dubai
The full step-by-step flow for the new channel will be confirmed when the service details are announced. Until then, the sensible way to prepare is to follow the standard pattern used for Dubai tourist visa applications. The steps below reflect that standard pattern.
1. Check which visa you need
First, confirm whether you need a prearranged visa at all, using the visa-on-arrival list for your nationality. Then choose single-entry or multiple-entry, and 30 days or 60 days, based on your trip.
2. Prepare your documents
Have the usual documents ready: a valid passport, a recent photograph, a confirmed return or onward ticket, and valid medical or travel insurance covering the UAE. Some nationalities may also need a national identity card. Follow the exact list shown during the application.
3. Apply on Visit Dubai and pay the fee
Once the new option is live, open the visa section on Visit Dubai, choose your category, fill in the form, upload your documents, and pay the fee shown. Keep the receipt and reference. If the option is not yet showing, use an existing channel instead, such as the GDRFA Dubai website, an airline, or an authorised travel agency.
4. Wait for the GDRFA decision
After you submit, GDRFA Dubai assesses the application. Visit Dubai lists typical processing at three working days for the 30-day single-entry visa. Do not book non-refundable plans that depend on the visa until it is issued.
5. Check the issued visa carefully
When the visa arrives, check every detail: your name, passport number, visa type, validity dates, and number of entries. An error caught early is far easier to fix than one found at the airport. Carry a copy of the visa with your passport when you travel.
Dubai Access Club Explained
The second initiative announced on 1 November 2026 is Dubai Access Club. It is described as the world’s first city-led, invitation-only tourism membership programme. “City-led” means the programme is run at the city level, not by a single hotel or airline. “Invitation-only” means you cannot simply sign up. Membership is extended by invitation to selected repeat visitors.
The programme will offer invited members exclusive experiences, services, and benefits across the city. The stated goal is to make returning to Dubai easier and more rewarding.
What has not been announced yet is equally important. Membership criteria, the invitation process, partner businesses, and the full benefits list have not yet been published, and no fee has been announced. Until those details appear, treat any claim about who qualifies as unconfirmed.
For most tourists, the advice is simple: plan your trip as normal. If you are a repeat visitor, watch for official announcements. Do not pay anyone who claims to sell Dubai Access Club membership, because no such sale has been announced.
What Has Not Changed
New channels often create confusion, so it helps to list what stays the same. First, visa rules and eligibility have not changed. The announcement adds an application channel; it does not create a new visa type or relax any requirement. Second, GDRFA Dubai still makes every decision and issues every visa. Third, existing application channels remain open, including government channels, airlines, and authorised travel agencies.
Fourth, the standard travel conditions still apply: a passport valid for at least six months from entry, a return or onward ticket, and medical insurance valid in the UAE. Overstaying still carries consequences, so check your options through official channels before your visa expires if your plans change.
Two mistakes are worth avoiding. Do not assume that a new channel means guaranteed approval; it does not. And do not confuse Dubai Access Club with a visa. The club is a membership programme for repeat visitors. It is not a visa, it does not replace a visa, and it does not grant entry to the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Dubai tourist visa on Visit Dubai now?
It was announced on 1 November 2026 and will be implemented during November 2026. If the option is not yet showing for your category, check the live website again or use an existing channel such as GDRFA Dubai, an airline, or an authorised travel agency.
How much does a Dubai tourist visa cost?
Fees start at Dh200 for a 30-day single-entry visa, excluding VAT, according to Visit Dubai. GDRFA Dubai’s published fees are AED 200 for 30 days and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. Confirm the total before paying, as service charges may apply through some channels.
How long does processing take?
Visit Dubai lists processing at typically three working days for the 30-day single-entry visa. Straightforward applications are usually handled in that time, but applications needing extra checks can take longer. Apply early if your travel dates are fixed.
Does applying through Visit Dubai guarantee approval?
No. GDRFA Dubai assesses every application and issues every visa, whatever channel you apply through. Approval depends on meeting the requirements and on the assessment of your individual application. No channel can guarantee a visa.
What is Dubai Access Club, and can I join it?
It is an invitation-only membership programme for repeat visitors, offering exclusive experiences, services, and benefits. You cannot simply sign up: criteria, invitations, and the full benefits list have not yet been announced.
Do I still need a visa if my country gets a visa on arrival?
No prearranged visa is needed if your nationality is eligible for a visa on arrival, which Visit Dubai lists for citizens of more than 80 countries. GCC nationals can enter without a visa, and GCC residents can apply for an e-visa. Always confirm your own nationality’s current rules before travel.
Disclaimer
This article is general information only, based on the official announcement of 1 November 2026 and the visa information published on Visit Dubai and GDRFA Dubai’s pages. Rules, fees, and processing times can change, and individual cases can differ. Always confirm the current requirements for your nationality on the official Visit Dubai or GDRFA Dubai website before applying or travelling. This site is not affiliated with the Dubai government, GDRFA Dubai, or Visit Dubai.
Last Updated: 1 November 2026
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