UAE Four New Visit Visa Categories: Full Details & Benefits

The UAE has officially introduced four new visit visa categories to support its evolving ambitions in tourism, technology, culture, and events.

In this article, you will get a factual breakdown of each visa type, who can apply, the costs, durations, and how they differ from existing visit visas.

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Table of Content

Overview of the UAE’s New Visit Visa Categories
List of the Four New UAE Visit Visa Categories
Eligibility Criteria & Application Requirements
Duration, Fees, and Extension Rules
Benefits of the New UAE Visit Visa Categories
Key Differences Between Old and New UAE Visit Visas
FAQs

Overview of the UAE’s New Visit Visa Categories

What’s New in the UAE’s Visa System in 2025?

In a landmark reform announced on September 29, 2025, the UAE’s ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) introduced four purpose-driven visit visa categories: AI Specialist, Entertainment, Events, and Cruise Tourism.

Alongside, the new rules require hosts or sponsors to meet a minimum salary threshold to sponsor family members, friends, or visitors.

These changes transform the “visit visa” concept from generic travel passes into sector-targeted entry routes, with clearer eligibility, predefined durations, and structured hosting obligations.

Must Read: UAE Expands Visa-On-Arrival Facility for Indian Nationals

Why the UAE Introduced Four New Visit Visa Types?

Attracting high-tech talent: The AI Specialist Visa invites global experts to contribute to the UAE’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
Driving cultural and entertainment appeal: The Entertainment Visa aims to bring in performers, artists, and cultural events, reinforcing the UAE’s growing cultural footprint.
Enabling event economies: The Events Visa streamlines access for participants in conferences, exhibitions, festivals, and other curated gatherings.
Boosting maritime tourism: The Cruise Tourism Visa is personalised for cruise passengers and yacht travelers with UAE stops, advancing the UAE’s ambition as a global leisure destination.

Who Can Apply for These New Visit Visas?

AI Specialist Visa: Foreign professionals entering the UAE temporarily to work or collaborate with a licensed technology sponsor or host.
Entertainment Visa: Artists, performers, entertainers, and associated staff coming for short-term engagements under a UAE sponsoring entity.
Events Visa: Individuals attending recognized temporary events, exhibitions, conferences, festivals, sports events, or cultural gatherings, under the invitation of a host.
Cruise Tourism Visa: Tourists arriving by cruise ship or leisure boat, where the UAE is part of their maritime itinerary and an authorized operator sponsors the visit.

Must Read: UAE Visa Rejection Reasons with Rejection & Success Rates

List of the Four New UAE Visit Visa Categories

UAE Visit Visa for AI Specialists

Purpose: Attract global tech and AI professionals for short-term work, collaboration, or exploratory visits under sponsorship.
Eligible Professionals: AI engineers, machine learning specialists, data scientists, algorithm developers, or related technology experts.
Duration & Validity: Granted as single or multiple-entry visas for 60 or 90 days; extensions possible via sponsor.
Key Benefits: Simplified entry and visa processing, promotion of the UAE as a tech hub, and easier collaboration between foreign AI talent and UAE institutions.

UAE Visit Visa for Entertainers and Artists

Purpose: Facilitate entry for performers, cultural contributors, and leisure visitors to participate in or attend artistic events.
Who Can Apply: Actors, musicians, dancers, cultural performers, and leisure travelers visiting UAE cultural or entertainment venues.
Events & Performances Covered: Concerts, festivals, film shoots, exhibitions, live shows, and artistic performances.
Sponsorship Requirements: Host or sponsor in the UAE (an event organizer or cultural institution) must issue the invitation and support the visa application.

UAE Visit Visa for Cruise and Maritime Tourists

Purpose: Serve inbound cruise or yacht travelers via ports in the UAE, to support maritime tourism.
Designed For: Passengers and crew arriving on cruise ships, yachts, or pleasure boats.
Entry Conditions: Submission of an approved travel itinerary, a docking port plan, and coordination with a licensed maritime host or travel agency.
How to Apply: The cruise operator or maritime host coordinates visa processing based on the itinerary, with supporting documentation to immigration authorities.

UAE Visit Visa for Events and Conferences

Purpose: Enable attendees, speakers, or exhibitors to visit the UAE for working participation in events legally.
Corporate & Public Event Eligibility: Valid for trade shows, exhibitions, seminars, conferences, cultural, religious, sports, educational, or economic events.
Documents Required: Formal letter of invitation or confirmation from the event organizer or sponsor, details of the event (dates, agenda), and identity credentials.

Must Read: UAE Visa Photo Size Requirement & Specification Guide

Eligibility Criteria & Application Requirements

The four UAE new visit visa categories 2025, AI Specialists, Entertainment, Events, and Cruise/Leisure Tourism, each have distinct eligibility rules and application conditions. Below are the streamlined criteria you must meet.

AI Specialist Visa:

Eligibility: Professionals specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or related fields.
Requirements: You need a formal invitation or sponsorship letter from a UAE host or entity active in AI/tech. The letter must outline your role, purpose, and duration of your visit.

Entertainment Visa:

Eligibility: Foreign artists, performers, cultural creatives, entertainers, or supporting personnel traveling for a temporary entertainment engagement.
Requirements: You must submit documents needed for UAE visit visa, related to the entertainment context (event invitations or contracts) and have a sponsoring or host entity in the UAE.

Events Visa:

Eligibility: Individuals attending public or private events, e.g., conferences, exhibitions, festivals, seminars, sports, or cultural gatherings.
Requirements: A letter from the event’s host or organiser, specifying the event name, dates, your role (attendee, speaker, exhibitor), and confirmed event tickets or schedule.

Cruise / Leisure Tourism Visa:

Eligibility: Tourists arriving via cruise ships, yachts, or pleasure boats whose itinerary includes UAE stops.
Requirements: Your cruise line, boat operator, or maritime host must act as sponsor or guarantor. You should provide proof of your planned port stops within the UAE.

Common Requirements Across All New Visas:

Regardless of the specific visa category, you will typically need to submit:

A valid passport (with sufficient remaining validity)
Passport-style photograph(s)
Health / medical insurance covering your stay
Proof of financial solvency (bank statements or similar)
Return or onward travel ticket
Any additional credential documents (e.g., portfolio, contract, CV)

Must Read: How To Check Uae Visa Status Using Passport Number?

Duration, Fees, and Extension Rules

The UAE’s four new visit visa categories are still in the process of having their specific fee schedules and extension protocols finalized. Meanwhile, general visit visa rules provide a reference point: extensions are often granted in 30-day increments, up to three times beyond an initial stay of 30 to 60 days.

Initial Validity

Under the new framework, initial stays of 60 or 90 days are now possible, depending on visa category.

Extension Rules

Visit visas can typically be extended for 30 days at a time.
Many visa holders may extend up to three times (i.e., up to 90 extra days) beyond the original validity, subject to visa type and UAE immigration approval.
The total duration of stay across all extensions generally must remain within 180 days in a calendar year.
Extensions are processed within the UAE; you no longer need to exit and re-enter for renewal in most cases.

5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa

Alongside these new visit visas, the UAE offers a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa:

You can enter the UAE multiple times over five years.
Each stay is valid for up to 90 days and is extendable for another 90 days, subject to the 180-day annual cap.
Requirements include maintaining a bank balance equivalent to USD 4,000 over the past six months, holding valid health insurance, and having a return ticket.
The issuance fee is AED 500, plus smart service and application fees.

Overstay Fines

A standard overstay fine of AED 50 per day now applies to visit, tourist, and residence visas alike. If your visa has expired without extension or renewal, this penalty begins accruing immediately; there is no grace period under the new rules in many emirates.

Benefits of the New UAE Visit Visa Categories

Opens entry for AI experts to contribute to the UAE’s emerging tech sector.
Enables artists and entertainers to enter for short-term performances.
Facilitates cruise and maritime tourists arriving by ship.
Allows international attendees, speakers, and exhibitors to join UAE events.
Stimulates economic growth in tech, arts, tourism, and events.
Attracts global talent and creative professionals.
Ensures smoother visa processing via structured sponsorship.
Lowers entry barriers for specialized temporary visitors.

Key Differences Between Old and New UAE Visit Visas

Aspect	Old UAE Visit Visa Rules	New UAE Visit Visa Rules (2025)
Duration & Entry	Typically a 30-day stay, extendable by 30 or 90 days within the UAE.	Offers 30-, 60-, or 90-day single-entry visas, giving visitors more flexibility.
Multiple-Entry Visas	Limited availability; most were short-term and single-entry.	Introduced a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa allowing stays up to 90 days per visit, capped at 180 days per year.
Financial & Accommodation Proof	Requirements were less stringent; often, minimal financial or lodging documentation was needed.	Applicants must show proof of funds (AED 3,000–5,000 minimum) and confirmed accommodation, such as a hotel booking or a host invitation letter.
Grace Period After Expiry	A 10-day grace period was allowed to exit or extend without fines.	The grace period is removed; visitors must exit or renew before expiry to avoid fines, deportation, or entry bans.
New Visa Categories	Only standard tourist and visit visas were available.	Launch of four specialized categories, for AI specialists, entertainers, cruise passengers, and event participants, replacing older short-duration options.
Sponsor Income Requirements	Lower or flexible income thresholds for residents sponsoring family or friends.	Stricter income rules: e.g., AED 4,000/month minimum for first-degree relatives; up to AED 15,000 for sponsoring friends or distant relations.
Documentation & Compliance	Simpler process with fewer verification steps.	Enhanced scrutiny of financial status, accommodation, and travel intent to curb overstays and misuse.

FAQs

What are the four new visit visa categories introduced by the UAE?

The UAE introduced new visit visas for AI Specialists, Entertainers and Artists, Events and Conferences, and Cruise/Maritime Tourists.

AI Specialist Visa: For foreign professionals in AI, data science, or tech roles.
Entertainment and Artists Visa: For performers, musicians, and creative professionals.
Events and Conferences Visa: For attendees, speakers, and exhibitors at approved events.
Cruise and Maritime Tourist Visa: For passengers and crew arriving via cruise ships or yachts.

When were the new UAE visit visa categories launched?

The UAE four new visit visa categories were officially launched on 29 September 2025 by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) as part of the 2025 visa reform.

Who is eligible for the new UAE visit visa categories?

Eligibility depends on purpose; tech professionals, entertainers, event participants, and cruise passengers with valid sponsorships or invitations can apply under respective categories.

Can tourists apply for these new UAE visit visas directly?

No. These visas are purpose-specific and require a UAE-based host or sponsor; casual tourists should continue using the regular tourist visa.

What are the document requirements for the new UAE visit visa categories?

Applicants need a valid passport, photo, proof of funds, accommodation details, and a sponsor invitation, along with event or professional credentials.

How can I apply for the new UAE visit visa categories online?

Applications can be submitted through the UAE ICP or GDRFA online portals, or via the authorized sponsor or event host managing the visitor’s entry.

How long are the new UAE visit visas valid for?

Depending on the category, the visas are valid for 30, 60, or 90 days, with most allowing in-country extensions for an additional 30-day period.

Can I extend or renew the new visit visa categories in the UAE?

Yes. Most new UAE visit visas can be extended while staying in the UAE, without leaving the country; each extension adds 30 days, up to the allowed limit.