Dubai has maintained a liberalised visa regime over the years to better its business prospects and benefit every stakeholder. Visa policies play a key role in defining the public perception of a destination. Liberal visa policies are now a standard measure to gauge the success of destinations.

According to a study by Oxford Economics, the visa policy effect represents the growth premium in tourist arrivals to a destination country over its respective geographical region, and it highlighted potential gains from visa policy liberalisation.

Before it became part of the UAE in December 1971, Dubai had its very own visa policy. The Dubai Airport in 1960 gave visas to those arriving through the facility which opened that year. Before the tourism industry kicked off in Dubai, there used to be only two types of visas available to enter the country – residence and visitor.  According to the GDRFA website, the UAE now issues 100 different types of visas.

The authorities have made the visa process quick and easy.

The Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) operates 33 Dubai visa application centres in 16 countries.

DVPC offers UAE visas of different duration – 96 hours, 14 days, 30 days – single entry, 30 days – multiple entry, 90 days – single entry and 90 days – multiple entries.

In November 2018 came the 10-year visa system for investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talent and researchers in the fields of science, knowledge, and also outstanding students. The 10-year residency visa began in 2019 covering talents in the fields of culture and arts, including spouses and children.

Dubai then enhanced its openness and creativeness with the launch of the Cultural Visa, a first in the world, a 10-year residency with exclusive privileges.

Dubai is focusing on its strategy of developing culture, literature and the arts and attracting talents in these domains. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the new system for granting the first cultural visa in the world.

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) in coordination with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai) issues 10-year cultural visas to accomplished creative talents from the fields of literature, culture, fine arts, performing arts, heritage, history and knowledge-related sectors, as well as intellectual and creative industries.

The visa is presently available for existing UAE residents. A cultural visa is granted if the applicant meets at least five of the mandatory conditions set by the authorities.

The conditions relate to years of residency in the country, and a record of knowledge-related and creative achievements. Optional conditions include a pledge to contribute 36 hours of service in creative or artistic fields in the UAE. To be nominated by Dubai Culture to get a long-term residence visa, one needs to apply first for the ‘Creative and Talented Accreditation’ service through the Dubai Culture app.

For Fine Arts’ applicants – Painting, Calligraphy, Sculpture, Photography – their artistic career should have not been less than 10 years. They must be capable of presenting a distinct artistic production in their field of specialisation, nationally or internationally. The applicant, over the past three years, must have contributed to their field of work. Literature applicants – authors of poetry, stories and works of fiction – should have had a career of not less than 10 years. They must be able to present a distinct literary production in their chosen genre.

This decision came out of Dubai’s firm belief that creativity is an essential driver for the development of individuals, the advancement of society, and the progress of the country.