Dubai, UAE – His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, has announced two new initiatives to make Dubai easier to visit and more rewarding to return to. The announcement was made on 1 November 2026.
Dubai Access Club
Described as the world’s first city-led, invitation-only tourism membership programme, the Dubai Access Club will offer invited members exclusive experiences, services and offers designed to encourage repeat visits. Details of benefits, tiers and eligibility will be announced later.
Tourist visas through Visit Dubai
Visitors will be able to apply for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas directly through the official Visit Dubai website. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai will continue to assess applications and issue visas, and more visa categories are planned.
Who is behind it
Both initiatives are being developed by GDRFA Dubai, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Digital Dubai, as part of the Shared Digital Channels Initiative.
What it means for businesses
A single digital entry point for trip planning and visas removes friction for travellers, while a loyalty-style membership gives hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers a new channel to reach high-value repeat visitors. Tourism and hospitality operators should watch for partnership opportunities as the programme’s benefits are revealed.
Source: Arabian Business.
