UAE
UAE Offers 5-Year Tourist Visa as Neighbors Vie for Visitors

(Bloomberg) –Tourist visas to the United Arab Emirates will be valid for five years, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Monday on Twitter, part of a campaign to lure holiday makers to Gulf countries.
The visas were previously valid for 30 to 90 days.
Gulf nations eager to diversify their economies away from oil have been taking steps to encourage tourism in recent years. Saudi Arabia opened applications for online visas in September, and Qatar scrapped visas altogether for citizens of 80 countries in 2017.
“Economic activity in the U.A.E. has softened in recent years,” said Bilal Khan, senior economist at Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai. “Attracting a greater number of visitors over the could help revive demand over the medium-term,” particularly after the expected boost from this year’s World Expo in Dubai fades, he added.
Dubai’s Jumeirah Cuts 500 Jobs as Tourism Industry Struggles
Heightened tensions in the region over the U.S.’s killing of Iran’s most powerful general have cast a pall over Gulf states’ tourism marketing plans. On Sunday, the U.S. State Department issued a warning to Americans visiting or living in the U.A.E.
“U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness,” the department wrote on its website. Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah allies have threatened retaliation for Qassem Soleimani’s death.
-
Banking & Finance1 month ago
Oman Arab Bank Announces Increase of Authorised Capital to RO500mn and Paid‑In Capital Boost of RO50mn
-
Bahrain1 month ago
SPIEF 2025 focused on global and regional economic processes, market transformation, new tech, investment climate, financial policy and people
-
Banking & Finance2 months ago
Central Bank of Oman Issues Regulatory Framework for Digital Banks
-
Banking & Finance3 weeks ago
National Finance Reinforces Position as Partner for Growth, Offers a Comprehensive Product Suite to Support Customer Ambitions
-
Energy1 month ago
Russian Energy Week from October 15-17, 2025 offers alternative formats of cooperation
-
OER Magazines1 month ago
OER, June 25
-
Banking & Finance2 months ago
The Future of the International Financial System to be discussed at SPIEF 2025
-
Retail1 month ago
All services are moving toward personalisation says Tatyana Kim, Founder of Wildberries and Head of RWB