Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced two new initiatives to enhance Dubai’s competitiveness in the Tourism sector. These include the launch of the world’s first city-led, invitation-only tourism membership programme, and a new option to apply for tourist visas through Visit Dubai, the city’s official tourism website.
The loyalty programme, named ‘Dubai Access Club’, is designed as an invitation only membership programme for repeat visitors. It will provide the members with exclusive experiences, services and benefits. Applications will only be available through select corporate, tourism and hospitality partners. The members will get a five-year multi-entry visa, allowing them to stay for up to 90 days at a time within a one-year period, a free SIM card and access to AED 2,000 credit to spend on a curated selection of hotels, attractions and retail outlets. The visa applications through Dubai Access Club, will be reviewed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) – the authority that manages immigration, residency visas, entry permits, and border control specifically for the emirate of Dubai. The application fee for the Dubai Access Club is AED 4,032.50, which includes membership to the programme as well as the visa fees.
The second initiative pertains to integration of more government services, including tourist visa applications, into visit Dubai, the official tourism website for the City. The platform acts as an official tourism guide and digital portal for Dubai, offering services such as visitor information, ticket booking for various attractions, planning itineraries, etc. As part of the new initiative, under the Shared Digital Channels Initiative, travelers can now also apply directly for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas through the platform. GDRFA Dubai will be responsible for assessing visa applications and issuing visas.
The initiatives, which will be implemented during November 2026, are aimed at facilitating access for visitors, strengthening visitors’ connection with the city and providing a seamless travel experience and to position Dubai among the world’s top three global destinations for business and leisure, said a statement by Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Announcing the initiatives, Sheikh Hamdan said, “We are committed to positioning Dubai among the world’s top three tourism destinations through initiatives that enrich every stage of the visitor journey and set new standards for hospitality and service excellence. Our goal is to make the city the preferred choice for travellers worldwide and a global benchmark for quality and convenience.” “Tourism is a key pillar of Dubai’s economy. By harnessing technology, fostering innovation and strengthening public-private partnerships, we aim to attract more investment, open up new opportunities and strengthen the sector’s contribution to long-term growth, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”, he added.
Tourism is an important sector for Dubai’s economy. Despite the global risks due to the situation in West Asia, Dubai’s hotel occupancy in August 2026 was almost 90% compared to the previous year. In September, an initiative delivering discounts to residents who invited friends and family to visit the emirate closed after receiving more than 90,000 applications.
