Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on November 1 that tourists will be able to apply for visas directly on the official Visit Dubai website. Arabian Business and Khaleej Times report that it launches in November 2026, with more details still to come. Both single-entry and multiple-entry visas will be available.
The new portal is an extra channel, not a replacement. The GDRFA Dubai immigration authority will still assess applications and issue the visas, and travelers can still apply through government channels, authorised travel agents and airlines such as Emirates and flydubai. Khaleej Times, citing the Visit Dubai website, says fees start at Dh200 for a 30-day single-entry visa, excluding VAT, with typical processing of about three working days.
The listed options include 30-day and 60-day single- and multiple-entry visas, plus a five-year multiple-entry visa. The change is part of the Shared Digital Channels Initiative approved in February 2025 and supports the D33 economic agenda, according to the reports.
It was announced alongside Dubai Access Club, an invitation-only membership for repeat visitors that is billed as the first city-led programme of its kind. Its criteria and benefits have not been announced. Until the portal goes live and the details are published, fees and processing times should be treated as indicative and checked on the Visit Dubai site before booking.
Sources: Arabian Business, Khaleej Times
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