Dubai recently unveiled a new initiative aimed at bolstering travel from India: a five-year multiple-entry visa. This visa, processed within two to five working days of receiving and approving the service request, grants holders a 90-day stay in the country. Additionally, it permits a single extension for a comparable duration, with a maximum cumulative stay of 180 days within a year.
Data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) indicates a substantial surge in Indian visitors to Dubai. Between January and December 2023, Dubai welcomed 2.46 million overnight visitors from India, marking a notable increase from 2022’s 1.84 million tourists and surpassing the pre-pandemic figure of 1.97 million visitors in 2019. DET describes this initiative as “significant,” offering tourists the flexibility of multiple entries and exits, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
Bader Ali Habib, the regional head of proximity markets at DET, emphasized Dubai’s enduring relationship with India. He highlighted the exceptional inbound visitation from India in 2023, contributing to Dubai’s record-breaking tourism performance. Habib underscored India’s pivotal role in realizing the goals of the D33 Agenda, solidifying Dubai’s status as a hub for business, investment, and tourism. He emphasized that the five-year multiple-entry visa initiative represents a strategic move to deepen Dubai’s ties with India, facilitating longer and more enriching experiences for Indian tourists while fostering increased economic collaboration.
Habib remarked, “This initiative underscores Dubai’s commitment to India and the myriad possibilities for collaboration between the UAE and the subcontinent.” He expressed confidence that the visa milestone would amplify awareness of Dubai’s diverse offerings, multicultural ambiance, and plethora of hotels and attractions, further solidifying its status as the preferred destination for Indian travelers.
In 2023, Dubai set a new tourism record by hosting 17.15 million international overnight visitors, marking a 19.4% year-on-year growth over 2022’s 14.36 million arrivals and surpassing the previous record of 16.73 million visitors in 2019. DET reported a remarkable 34% year-on-year growth in Indian tourists, significantly contributing to Dubai’s unprecedented tourism performance. This growth aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to cement Dubai’s position as one of the top global cities for business and leisure, and the ultimate city to visit, reside, and work in.
DET emphasized the deep-rooted economic partnership between the UAE and India, marked by centuries-old cultural exchanges, diplomatic cooperation, and substantial trade ties. The agency noted that the diverse Indian market enables Dubai to attract a wide spectrum of travelers, catering to varied preferences including luxury shopping, cultural immersion, family-friendly entertainment, and business events.
