Dubai has introduced an invitation-only membership programme for repeat visitors, with a five-year multiple-entry visa among its benefits. The Dubai Access Club was announced on November 1 as part of two tourism initiatives planned for November.
The official Visit Dubai membership page says applications are available through selected corporate, tourism and hospitality partners. Membership depends on visa approval by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Registering interest does not guarantee an invitation.
The published application fee is AED4,032.50, including programme membership and the visa fee. An additional AED650 applies to visitors applying from within the UAE. Listed benefits include a prepaid SIM card, offers at hotels and attractions, and up to AED2,000 in credit for selected experiences.
A separate initiative will add tourist-visa applications to the Visit Dubai platform, according to the government announcement. Immigration authorities will continue to assess and issue visas. The announcement places both initiatives in November but does not specify a single launch date for the new application channel.
Dubai’s skyline in March 2016. Archive photograph, not an image of the membership programme launch. Photo: imran shahabuddin, CC BY 2.0. Resized.
