In a bid to attract 10 million tourists by 2021 and more than 40 million tourists over the coming ten years with revenues expectations of around $45 billion (Dh167.5 billion) in 2020, and about $55 billion (Dh204 billion) by 2022, the Cabinet of United Arab Emirates (UAE) approved the issuance of a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa for all nationalities visiting the country.
The decision was made during the Cabinet’s first meeting during 2020 the Year of Preparation, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The move which comes as a bid to support the country’s tourism economy, and affirm the country’s position as a global tourist destination is expected to double the number of tourists visiting the country. The new change also allows holders of the new five-year multiple-entry tourist visa to stay for six months at a stretch.
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Government sources say that while details of the new five-year validity tourist visa will be announced soon, it is being proposed that the visa will allow visitors to stay for up to six months on every entry within the span of five-year validity. About the eligibility of getting the new visa, same source noted that the terms and conditions for getting the five-year visa will remain the same as those in place for all other types of tourist visas.
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Speaking on the development the Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship Ali Mohammad Bin Hammad Al Shamsi, stressed that the UAE has always been proactive in issuing laws and regulations that strengthen its global position and underpin the tourism sector. Al Shamsi affirmed that the Cabinet decision approving a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa scheme for all nationalities reflects the wise leadership’s keenness to upgrade laws and legislations, cope with the global developments and drive the economy especially the tourism sector forward. He noted that the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has been tasked with implementing the new decision.
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Al Shamsi said that such an important decision comes in conjunction with the country’s preparations to host Expo 2020 Dubai, one of the major global events organised by the UAE, which receives more than 21 million tourists every year. Such a big decision will indeed cement and consolidate the UAE’s status as a major global tourist hub.
He concluded by affirming the UAE is a state of law and justice. More than 200 nationalities are living in harmony, love and tolerance,The Cabinet decision will help double the number of tourists visiting the UAE to further bolster the tourism sector, which is a key pillar of the country’s economic.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry