The key facts
- Dubai Access Club is an invitation-only program announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed
- Five-year multiple-entry visa with stays of up to 90 days at a time; decisions are made by GDRFA Dubai
- Fee of 4,032.5 dirhams (+650 when applying from within the UAE); in case of refusal, a refund minus 183 dirhams
Participation terms and cost
Dubai has revealed details of the Dubai Access Club loyalty program for repeat tourists, which Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced on Sunday. Invitation-only participants are promised a five-year multiple-entry visa allowing stays in the UAE of up to 90 days per trip within a year, up to 2,000 dirhams ($544) for hotels, attractions and shopping, a free SIM card from operator du, and an Alsaada loyalty card from the GDRFA with more than 20 perks. This is reported by The National.
Who can apply
The program operates by invitation only through corporate, tourism and hotel partners, including Emirates, Jumeirah Group, Accor, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and Taj Hotels. Interested travelers can 'express interest' on the Visit Dubai website by providing passport details and membership in loyalty programs such as Emirates Skywards, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honours, but this guarantees neither an invitation nor a visa. Applications are assessed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
Financial terms
The application fee is 4,032.5 dirhams and covers membership, processing of the five-year visa and benefits; an additional 650 dirhams is charged when applying from within the UAE. Payment does not guarantee approval: if the GDRFA refuses the visa, the applicant will receive a refund minus 183 dirhams. Membership is valid for the duration of the five-year visa. The program fits into the emirate's broader strategy of consolidating tourist services on the Visit Dubai portal, which is integrating, among other things, tourist visa applications, so that visitors do not have to deal with multiple websites and government agencies.
