- Talha Saeed
- November 2, 2026
Dubai Access Club: Invitation-only perks for tourists who keep coming back
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- WEB DESK
- November 2, 2026
Thinking of visiting Dubai? How about making it a return trip? The emirate has unveiled two new tourism initiatives: an exclusive, invitation-only membership programme rewarding repeat visitors, and a new option to apply for tourist visas through its official Visit Dubai website. Here’s what travellers need to know.
What has been announced
The initiatives were announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
The Dubai Access Club is being introduced as the world’s first city-wide tourism loyalty programme. The online visa service, expected to become available in November 2026, will let travellers apply for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas through the Visit Dubai platform.
According to Khaleej Times and Gulf News, the measures are meant to make travel to the emirate more convenient, encourage visitors to return and improve the overall visitor experience. They form part of Dubai’s wider ambition to rank among the world’s top three destinations for both business and leisure.
The Dubai Access Club
The club will operate on an invitation-only basis and target tourists who have visited the emirate repeatedly. Members will be offered exclusive experiences, services and benefits meant to make later visits more rewarding. The programme is intended to strengthen the relationship between Dubai and its returning visitors by giving them added value and access to selected experiences.
The details of the membership benefits and the invitation process have not yet been fully outlined, so it is not yet clear who will be invited or how.
Applying for a tourist visa online
From November 2026, travellers will be able to apply for tourist visas directly through the Visit Dubai website. According to Gulf News, the service will initially cover single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas, with other visa categories expected later. Further details about the application process are due to be announced ahead of the launch.
The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) will remain responsible for assessing applications and issuing visas. The arrangement is meant to make applying easier without changing the authority that decides on visas.
Visit Dubai already provides information about attractions, experiences, ticket bookings, events and itineraries. Adding visa services is expected to make it a more comprehensive point of access for people planning a trip, reducing the need to use separate websites and applications for different services.
What Sheikh Hamdan said
In comments reported by Khaleej Times, Sheikh Hamdan said Dubai continued to enhance its appeal as a global tourism hub under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He said innovation, quality services and memorable experiences remained central to the emirate’s efforts to strengthen its international tourism standing.
“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,” he said.
He added that tourism was a key pillar of Dubai’s economy and that the emirate aimed to use technology, innovation and stronger public-private partnerships to attract investment, create opportunities and support long-term economic growth.
Who is behind it
Both measures are being developed by GDRFA Dubai, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Digital Dubai under the Shared Digital Channels Initiative. The initiative seeks to integrate government services through unified digital platforms, making procedures more connected and accessible. Sheikh Hamdan approved it in February 2025, and it is led by Digital Dubai. It aims to bring public- and private-sector services together across seven unified platforms. Gulf News reported that it also uses technologies such as artificial intelligence to personalise services and anticipate users’ needs.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said the measures were aimed at removing barriers for visitors, providing greater value and encouraging repeat visits. GDRFA Dubai Director General Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri said the visa service would make government procedures easier to access while maintaining security and efficiency. Digital Dubai Director General Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori said the integration reflected efforts to connect government services through unified digital channels and improve accessibility.
How it fits Dubai’s economic plans
The measures are aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to strengthen the emirate’s position as a leading global centre for business and leisure. Sheikh Hamdan said technology, innovation and cooperation between the public and private sectors would help attract investment and expand tourism’s contribution to the economy.
What is still unclear
The date in November on which the online visa service will start has not been announced, nor have the application steps, fees or processing times. Nothing has been said yet about how invitations to the Dubai Access Club will be issued or what members will receive.
